BJP has been opposing this move in Karnataka but has to walk tightrope in Tamil Nadu where ‘friendly’ AIADMK wants the Cauvery board formed.
Bengaluru: In Friday’s verdict, the Supreme Court left the question of setting up of the Cauvery Management Board to Parliament to decide, an issue that seems to have put the BJP in a fix ahead of the Karnataka assembly polls.
While the Karnataka unit of the BJP has been opposing the move – both as a ruling party or as the opposition – it will have to walk a tightrope on this matter in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling AIADMK is in favour of such a board.
Given the fact the BJP is cosying up to the AIADMK, the verdict is likely to put it in a dilemma.
“This decision by the SC has turned out to be a hot potato for the BJP in the state and at the Centre,” said Harish Ramaswamy, political analyst.
“The Congress is at an advantage by virtually opposing each judgement of the SC and so the ball is now in the court of the NDA and the BJP. They will get hit by any move they make which will have an opposite effect in the Karnataka elections,” Ramaswamy added.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, who had also vehemently opposed this move, said now, the Centre has to take a call.
“It will be a decision of the Centre now. We have nothing to do with it,” the CM said.
Speaking to ThePrint, former BJP chief minister Jagadish Shettar said the BJP has been opposing the formation of the board from the very beginning and will continue to do so.
Basavaraj Bommai, who had held the water resources portfolio in the B.S. Yeddyurappa government, said that the challenge now is to work out a formula.
“All the tribunals, including the Cauvery one, have included the formation of the management board. It is up to Parliament to take the decision and not the BJP,’’ he added.
Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has found some relief with the apex court letting Parliament to decide on the setting up of a management board, an issue over which former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa had moved the court.
Now, the verdict will help it impress upon the Centre and raise the issue in Parliament to set a deadline for formation of the Cauvery board.
“As a Member of Parliament, I will surely impress upon the Centre to ensure that the board is formed. We are committed to farmers of Tamil and will protect the interests of the government,” said A. Navaneethakrishnan, AIADMK MP.