Cauvery row: Cabinet, all parties will discuss response to Supreme Court order
BENGALURU: Caught in a bind over yet another Supreme Court order to release water to Tamil Nadu, the Karnataka government has convened an emergency cabinet meeting, followed by all-party meeting on Wednesday, to evolve a consensual stand on whether or not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Chief minister Siddaramaiah, who is touring Bidar district on Tuesday said, “We are committed to protecting the interests of farmers and the people of Karnataka. The cabinet meeting will discuss the pros and cons of implementing the court order and seek the opinion of floor leaders, MLAs and MPs of the Cauvery basin, legal team and technical experts, before taking a final call.” Major political parties in Karnataka said they will back the state government’s decision taken on Wednesday and exhorted Siddaramaiah not to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu, as directed by the court, in the larger interest of farmers in the Cauvery basin and those in cities who rely on the river for drinking water.
AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh, who was in Bengaluru to attend the party’s executive committee meet ing, said the Congress party will support the Karnataka government’s decision, which it is expected to take on Wednesday. “The Karnataka assembly’s recent decision to release water only for drinking represents the will of the people. The unanimous resolution of the assembly supported by all political parties also reflects the sentiment of the people of Karnataka.”
He appealed to the Tamil Nadu government and people to show some consideration on the prevailing drought, lack of water in the catchment area of the Cauvery and reservoirs in Karnataka. BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said the BJP will stand solidly behind any decision of the government.”It’s an unfortunate decision.We are in touch with our senior leaders, Union ministers and legal experts to discuss whether PM Narendra Modi can intervene at this junc ture. We have also apprised the national leaders of the current volatile situation in Karnataka,” he added.
JD(S) supremo and former PM HD Deve Gowda reportedly spoke to Siddaramaiah over phone, offering him tips on the steps the government should take.
Congress MPs from Karnataka staged a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament premises on Tuesday in New Delhi, seeking Modi’s intervention. The MPs also demanded that the Cauvery Management Board should not be set up to resolve the water sharing issue.