Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar calls all-party meeting on Aug 2 over Cauvery water dispute
New Delhi, July 30
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday announced an all-party meeting on August 2 on the Cauvery River water issue.
Shivakumar said that former Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs from the Cauvery basin area have been invited to the meeting.
He said that an appeal has been filed before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) after the panel directed Karnataka to release 3500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days.
The Chief Minister further said that the issue had been discussed with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and MPs Somanna, Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, adding that they were making every possible effort in the interest of the state.
Shivakumar refused to react to DMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss' suggestion that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay should approach the Delhi government instead of Karnataka Congress leaders.
"We do not want to fight with each other. There is the law of the land. We must respect each other. The entire country should work together," he said.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended that Karnataka release 3500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. The committee has also recommended releasing a total of 4 TMC of water.
Earlier on Wednesday, CM Shivakumar said, "Regarding the irrigation matter, yesterday they issued an order saying that a little water should be released. We don't know about that yet. They had rejected their request twice earlier. So, I have discussed with our ministers, including Minister MB Patil, and all the officials about filing an appeal against it. We are appealing against it. After that, we will make a decision. Once that is done, after I go to Bengaluru, I will also speak with the opposition party leaders."
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water issue.
DK Shivakumar also hit back at BJP MP BS Yediyurappa over his remarks on the Cabinet expansion.
Speaking to reporters, CM Shivakumar said, "Did Yediyurappa also not run the government without forming a cabinet? Did father and son not enjoy power then?
Meetings are underway in the Congress camp for the cabinet expansion, ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Assembly.
— ANI
Reader Comments
DK Shivakumar playing the good cop yet again. But honestly, the CWMA directing to release 3500 cusecs without considering Karnataka's own water needs is unfair. Our farmers are already struggling with monsoon failures. The law should be applied equally, not favoring one state over another.
Anbumani Ramadoss suggesting Tamil Nadu CM to approach Delhi government instead of Karnataka Congress leaders is classic DMK drama. But CM Shivakumar's response is mature - "We must respect each other. The entire country should work together." Wish more politicians thought this way. 👏
All this political posturing while our farmers are literally crying for water. The CWRC recommending 3500 cusecs for 15 days might sound small, but when reservoirs are running dry, it's a huge burden. Why can't the central government step in with a fair, long-term solution instead of these temporary band-aids?
Interesting how CM is hitting back at BS Yediyurappa over cabinet expansion remarks while also discussing water sharing. Two different issues, but it shows the political undercurrents in Karnataka. As a citizen, I just hope the all-party meeting prioritizes the water crisis over petty politics. 🙏
Been watching this Cauvery drama for decades. Every year same story - Karnataka says no water, Tamil Nadu protests, courts order release, then more protests. Meanwhile, the actual problem of water conservation and inter-state river management is never addressed. Time for a permanent solution, not just all-party meetings.
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