Bengaluru, Jul 28 (PTI) The BJP on Tuesday alleged that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s direction to Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu stemmed from the Congress government’s “failure” to effectively present the state’s case.
It urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar not to release the water, to immediately challenge the order by filing an appeal and to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the way forward.
The opposition leaders also accused the government of adopting a lenient approach towards Tamil Nadu on the issue, alleging that it was acting under instructions from the Congress high command because the party is part of the TVK-led coalition government in the neighbouring state.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee on Tuesday directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu from July 29 for 15 days, amounting to a release of about 4 TMC.
According to officials, the order was issued despite Karnataka arguing that the state was not in a position to release water to Tamil Nadu as the Cauvery basin was facing a severe water shortage.
“Karnataka government has once again failed in the Cauvery river water issue, with an order directing it to release 3,500 cusecs of water for 15 days. This makes D K Shivakumar’s concern for Cauvery clear. The state government has lost the ability to effectively argue Karnataka’s case,” said R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
He alleged that Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy was handling the portfolio despite lacking interest in it.
“I think this lack of interest and carelessness has led to this order,” he said.
Noting that the direction had come at a time when the state was facing drought conditions, and crops were drying up, the LoP urged the government to immediately file an appeal before the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
The government has asked farmers not to cultivate crops because water is required for drinking purposes, he said, pointing out that Bengaluru was already facing water scarcity.
“This order is a big shock to the people of Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mandya,” he said.
Referring to the low water levels in the state’s reservoirs, including the dead storage, Ashoka said releasing about four TMC of water to Tamil Nadu in compliance with the order would aggravate the drinking water situation.
“The government failed to properly present its case before the CWRC,” he alleged.
“This is being done because the government in Tamil Nadu is part of the INDIA bloc. It is supported by the Congress, and probably under pressure from the Congress central leadership to be lenient, the government seems willing to release water to keep the Congress high command happy,” he claimed.
Accusing Shivakumar of repeatedly visiting Delhi to discuss cabinet expansion and participate in the NEET protest, Ashoka said that had the CM instead spent time with the legal team, the situation could have been avoided.
He urged the CM to immediately convene an all-party meeting to explain where the government had failed and discuss the future course of action.
“Without releasing the water, the government should appeal against the order,” he said.
Alleging that the Congress government had an “internal understanding” with Tamil Nadu, the LoP said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was scheduled to visit Bengaluru for talks on August 3.
Claiming that the visit would serve no purpose, he said there would be no improvement in the situation as the Tamil Nadu CM would stick to his stand.
“The next day’s headlines will be ‘Talks fail’. The visit will only be a drama,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra, speaking to reporters in Mysuru, accused the state government and Chief Minister Shivakumar of failing to protect the interests of farmers in the Cauvery basin.
He alleged that Karnataka had released water to Tamil Nadu even before the CWRC issued its latest direction.
“The Congress government in Karnataka has already released large quantities of water to Tamil Nadu. You should also remember the CM’s statement asking farmers in the Cauvery basin not to take up sowing. His conduct reminds one of the saying, ‘a bane to the house, but a benefactor to the town’,” he said.
The BJP chief alleged that the CWRC’s decision was the result of the state government’s failure to effectively present Karnataka’s case.
“I want to tell the CM that it is the responsibility of both him and his government to protect the interests of farmers in the Cauvery basin. An appeal should be filed before the Cauvery Water Management Authority without delay. He must personally take the initiative and ensure that Karnataka’s case is effectively presented,” he added. PTI KSU SSK
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