Bengaluru: The all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday asked the state government to adhere to the resolution passed by the state legislature on the Supreme Court’s directive to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. It extends support to the state government in case of any consequences for not releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Speaking with media persons, Jagadish Shettar, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, said the all-party meet had advised the state government should respect the resolution passed by the both houses – Assembly and Council – on Cauvery water issue. “We want the state government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu at any cost. We have told the chief minister not to release Cauvery water. We advised him to respect the resolution passed by the both the houses. He told us that our suggestions and recommendations will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting,’’ Jagadish Shettar said.
He said the BJP would support the decision taken by the state government.
Y S V Datta, JD(S) leader said the state government should not release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. “We have made our stand very clear on Cauvery issue. The chief minister told us that a decision would be taken in the Cabinet meeting. Let them take a decision but we are against releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. We have suggested all the elected representatives from Karnataka to file individual affidavits in the Supreme Court stating all the elected representatives are equally responsible for taking the decision not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu,’’ Datta said.
He said former prime minister and JD(S) supremo is sitting on an indefinite fast in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue on the state assembly premises opposing the Supreme Court’s direction to the Centre for constituting Cauvery Management Board. “We do not want the Centre to constitute Cauvery Management Board. We have advised the BJP leaders to pressurise Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to go ahead with the constitution of Cauvery Board. We have also advised the state government not to send its representative to the proposed Cauvery Management Board,’’ Datta said.
Speaking on the occasion, K S Puttannaiah, MLA of Karnataka Sarvodaya Paksha, said the state government should not release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. “We have released 6080 tmcft of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in 25 years. We need not release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu since there is no sufficient water for drinking purpose,’’ Puttannaiah said.
