Mangaluru : Urging the State government to stop Nethravati project and the Yettinahole project, senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary has alleged that it was a conspiracy to deny water to people of Dakshina Kannada.

Addressing the media here on Saturday, he said that the government was building such structures so that “not a drop of water” would flow down to Dakshina Kannada.

If vented dams or dams could have been built, some water would flow.

“By building retaining wall like structures, there is a conspiracy to deny water to thepeople of Dakshina Kannada,” he said.

“Are you converting Dakshina Kannada into a barren land?” he asked the government.

Mr. Poojary said that a judge among the panel, which was hearing the petitions against the project in the National Green Tribunal, had retired even before the judgement was pronounced. Hence, the petitions would have to be heard afresh.

Meanwhile, at another press meet, K. Pratapsimha Nayak, president, Dakshina Kannada unit of the BJP, alleged that the State government was taking a double stand on the project. On one hand, the government said it would go ahead with the project at any cost, while on the other, it stated that it would hold talks with those who opposed the project.

Mr. Nayak alleged that even after three years, the new government has failed to get public opinion about the project.