CM Siddaramaiah accuses opposition of playing politics over Cauvery issue

Mysuru (Karnataka) [India]: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday accused opposition parties Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka of “doing politics” over Cauvery water sharing row.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, CM said, “It’s most unfortunate that BJP and JDS both are doing politics in Cauvery issue. It is just because of politics, not for the people of the state or the people”.

The CM said the Supreme Court or the Cauvery Water Management Authority should come up with a distress formula for sharing water between two states whenever there is less rain in the state.

“So far no distress formula has been implemented. We have been praying for the distress formula in Cauvery water sharing issue. SC or CWMA have not given distress formula solution, whenever there is less rain, there should be distress formula to share water” he said.

Siddaramaiah welcomed the letter written by HD Devegowda to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting a team of experts to study the water and standing crop situation in state. “But he said state government has failed, that’s a political statement. State government never stepped back and will never step back”.

Replying to queries on Bengaluru Bandh, the CM said, “Any bandh can be called, we have no objection to that. Though there is a Supreme Court verdict, but we won’t disturb them, let them call the bandh.”

“Top Court had said that we should not disturb the rights of others while exercising our fundamental rights” the  CM said.

On HD Kumaraswamy calling Congress a “B team” of DMK, Siddaramaiah said, “They should not make any “political comments” after joining hands with the BJP.

Speaking on the protests Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said that people have the right to protest.

“We don’t want to get involved with the rights of people. They have every right to protest. I’m happy about the law and order situation remaining in control and people blue behind harassed. Government is with the farmers” he said.

The Deputy CM said the state was unable to fulfill the demand of even 5000 cusecs of Cauvery water as ordered by the Water Management Authority.

“There is a meeting. We’ll submit that we’re not able to release 5000 cusecs. We’ll request for it to be reduced. Last time Tamil Nadu demanded 25000 cusecs of water. It’s not possible to cater to their demands. We have requested the court. Today, we’ve made our stand clear” DK Shivakumar said.

DK Shivakumar also said that the BJP can take its protest on the Cauvery release to the central government instead of protests in the state.

“The ball is in their court. Let the BJP fight. Now, even the authority has asked why Karnataka can’t be allowed to go ahead with the Mekedatu project? Let JDS and BJP pressure the central government” he said.

Meanwhile, the farmers in Karnataka’s Mandya are protesting to stop water from being released from Karnataka dams to Tamil Nadu. Farmers across Karnataka have been protesting since the CWMA ordered the state to release 5000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state Tamil Nadu, for 15 days, effective from September 13.