Cong govt seeks PM's intervention to resolve Cauvery water row with TN

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said the state is in a "catch 22 situation", following the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) direction to release water to Tamil Nadu, and sought the Centre's intervention to resolve the issue.

Also, Water Resources Minister Shivakumar urged the opposition BJP, its leaders and Members of Parliament to prevail upon the Prime Minister to bail out Karnataka, while noting that he will be travelling to Delhi to meet MPs and the Union Ministers during the ongoing Parliament session.

He also defended the state's decision to release water to Tamil Nadu, citing advice of the legal team in view of the case coming up in the Supreme Court for hearing later this week, where non-compliance of CWMA orders may be viewed seriously.

The CWMA on Monday asked Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days.

"We are in a catch 22 situation, we do not have water, but still have to respect, whatever be the decision of the authority. We are appealing before the Apex Court. I'm going to Delhi to meet the MPs, we will also take a delegation to the central (Jal Shakti) Minister, we have also requested the PM to intervene and bail us out," Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "If there is water, we don't mind (releasing water to TN). there has been no inflow, we are finding it very difficult. I think the central government has to help us out. BJP leadership (from the state) has to join us to save Karnataka."

CWMA's directions come after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) last week recommended that Karnataka release 5,000 cusecs every day for the next 15 days to the neighbouring state.

Meanwhile, there are reports of water being released from Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam, despite farmer's protesting against it, in Mandya and other areas in Cauvery basin region.

Asked about former CM Basavaraj Bommai's suggestion not to release water to Tamil Nadu and asking the government to prepare for a legal battle, Shivakumar said, "we will consider this suggestion seriously, but his suggestions are aimed at putting us in a fix politically, in the court. We will fight (legally) there is no other word on this."

K'taka CM to meet MPs & Ministers from State in Delhi tomorrow; Cauvery issue on top of the agenda

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be holding a meeting with all Members of Parliament and Union Ministers from Karnataka in the national capital on Wednesday, to discuss a host of issues concerning the state, especially the release of Cauvery river water to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Several stalled developmental projects and those waiting Centre's clearances are likely to come up for discussion at the meeting, during which the Chief Minister is likely to urge the Union Ministers and MPs from the state to use their good offices for intervention of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India on the Cauvery issue.

The meeting has gained significance, with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) on Monday asking Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days.

According to the Chief Minister's tour plan WHICH WAS released to the media here on Tuesday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will leave for New Delhi tonight and will be holding a breakfast meeting with all MPs from Karnataka including Union Ministers on Wednesday.

The chief minister is later scheduled to meet several other Union Ministers during the Delhi visit, and his return journey date has been kept "open".

Siddaramaiah is also likely to meet the legal team, representing the state in the Supreme Court, ahead of the Cauvery water release issue coming up before the top court, probably later this week.

The Chief Minister recently has been critical of Prime Minister Modi, for not responding to his letter seeking time to meet an all-party delegation, and to discuss with him on issues concerning the state including Cauvery water release.

Deputy CMhief Minister D K Shivakumar will also be traveling to Delhi, and is expected to accompany the CM at meetings with MPs from the state and Union Ministers.