The two main political parties in Karnataka – BJP and the JD-S – have chose to boycott that all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday to discuss the future course of action on the issue of sharing Cauvery river water with Tamil Nadu following the recent Supreme Court order in this regard.
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While Tamil Nadu would now get double the share fixed by the Committee, Karnataka’s burden also will get reduced as prior to the Committee ruling, the Supreme Court had directed the State to release 12,000 cusecs of the Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
While JD (S) is expected to attend the all-party meeting, party’s Mandya MP Puttaraju and few legislators from Cauvery basin region have said that they will resign from their posts in protest against the Supreme Court order. Water resources minister MB Patil, monitoring the case, held a meeting with legal experts to discuss the way forward, which he will place before the cabinet on Wednesday.
After following two SC interim orders, K’taka decides to defer release of 6,000 cusecs till Friday; special legislature session convened; after S Bangarappa and SM Krishna’s defiance, this is the.
The Supreme Court had on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release 6000 cusecs of water per day from 21 to 27 September-double the quantity directed by the Cauvery Supervisory Committee the previous day.
At the Cabinet meet, all leaders were of the view that it is impossible to release water to Tamil Nadu.
“The Supreme Court has passed an order, since we do not have water, it is very hard to implement it”. He added that Karnataka would not have any water to drink if it released 6,000 cusecs every day.
The ongoing agitation against the release ofwater to Tamil Nadu in the river cauvery when Karnataka is in direstraits has been intensified and spreading to other southern districts.
“About 15,000 police personnel, three companies of the Rapid Action Force, 4,000 Home Guards and a battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Security Force have been deployed”, said Bengaluru Police Commissioner N.S. Megharik. Government is committed to protecting the interest of the state, its people and its farmers.
As the Supreme Court order came, sporadic protests erupted in Mandya, Mysuru, Srirangapatna and nearby areas erupted, with farmers demonstrating on the streets.
However, Karnataka government termed the decision as “disappointing” and would challenge the decision..
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Police also banned sale of liquor and opening of bars, wine shops and pubs on Tuesday in and around the city.
