Karnataka parties promise support to govt stand on Cauvery

Bangalore: The Cauvery water sharing dispute seems to have united all major political parties in the state. Much to the relief of the ruling BJP and Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, the Congress and the JD (S) have decided to support the government and not make it a political issue. “Protecting the interests of the people of the state is more important than politics. We don’t want to indulge in politics over the Cauvery issue,” Leader of the O pposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah told reporters after attending an all-party meeting convened by the CM here on Friday.

“We will fully support the government initiatives. The decision of the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) is not acceptable. We need to save standing crops in the state. We are in a hopeless and helpless position,” said Siddaramaiah while defending Shettar government’s stand to oppose the CRA order. Meanwhile, opposition Congress leader in the Legislative Council S R Patil said, “Farmers in the region can give blood but not water. It is just not possible to release water.”

The JD(S), which has a strong base in the Cauvery basin areas, too stood behind the government. Former prime minister and party supremo H D Deve Gowda supported the stand taken by Shettar. “Now, we can not release water to Tamil Nadu. I will soon write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh explaining the severity of drought situation in the state,” he added.

According to JD (S) Floor leader in the Assembly H D Revanna, the CM has taken the right stand by protesting against the CRA order. By taking opposition leaders into confidence, Shettar has for now ensured that his two-month-old government is not caught in political whirlwind over Cauvery row.

‘Send expert team’

During the all-party meeting at his official residence here on Friday, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar explained the state’s position to Congress and JD (S) leaders. Apart from filing the review petition before the CRA, the state is also exploring other legal options like approaching the Supreme Court.“We are exploring all options before us and our lawyers in New Delhi are looking into the details,” Shettar added. Leaders of opposition parties resolved to work together to protect farmers’ interests. They urged the PM to send an expert team to study the ground realities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.