Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said the state government would protect the interests of Karnataka and its farmers under all circumstances while dealing with the Cauvery water-sharing issue.
Speaking after an all-party meeting in Bengaluru, the state chief minister asked people not to panic, requested pro-kannada organisations not to proceed with the proposed Karnataka bandh (shutdown) on August 13 and once again stressed that building the Mekedatu project is the only lasting way to address the repeated Cauvery water-sharing dispute.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said the government had received unanimous support from all political parties for its stand on the issue. He stressed that Karnataka continues to face drought-like conditions, with the state receiving only around 30-35 per cent of the expected rainfall so far.
“The government and I are committed to protecting the interests of the people and farmers on the Cauvery issue. We will safeguard the interests of the state under all circumstances,” Shivakumar said.
He said farmers had been requested to remain patient until the government issues fresh guidelines based on the evolving situation.
Karnataka following CWRC directions
Shivakumar said the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) had directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water.
He added that the Kabini Reservoir was currently receiving an inflow of around 24,000 cusecs, while the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Reservoir was receiving about 22,000 cusecs.
“Yesterday afternoon, we released water from the dam to ensure its safety,” he said, adding that the decision had been unanimously endorsed during the all-party meeting.
The Deputy Chief Minister also noted that BJP leaders who visited the KRS Dam had understood the ground situation.
Appeal against Karnataka bandh
Shivakumar appealed to Kannada organisations not to go ahead with the proposed bandh over the Cauvery issue, saying the matter had been discussed in detail and all parties had reached a consensus.
“I will speak with all Kannada organisations. I appeal to them not to go ahead with the bandh. This decision has been unanimously agreed upon at the all-party meeting,” he said.
Request to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Shivakumar revealed that he had requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay to postpone his proposed visit to Bengaluru in view of the prevailing situation, and said the request had been accepted.
He said resolving the Cauvery issue required cooperation rather than confrontation.
“It is our government’s view that we must work together with complete cooperation to resolve this issue,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced that Karnataka ministers had already started visiting their respective districts to assess the ground situation. They would interact with farmers, review conditions across taluks and submit reports to the government.
Based on these reports, the Revenue Minister would evaluate the situation in line with technical assessments and Government of India guidelines before the state announces further decisions.
Mekedatu project is the permanent solution
Reiterating Karnataka’s long-standing demand, Shivakumar said the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project offered a lasting solution to the Cauvery dispute.
“The Mekedatu project is the permanent solution. The Supreme Court has already delivered its judgment, and the Central Government has also given its response. We should move forward without wasting any more time,” he said.
He added that the project should not be viewed as benefiting one state at the expense of another.
“This is not about Tamil Nadu getting more or Karnataka getting less. We should use this opportunity to bring both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to the table, hold discussions, and resolve the issue amicably,” he said.
Opposition backs government’s initiative
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka welcomed the government’s decision to convene the all-party meeting.
“Finally, they called a meeting. At least, though late, they realised the seriousness of the issue,” Ashoka said.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai described the meeting as serious and constructive but cautioned the government against relying only on recent rainfall.
He said year-round water management was essential to protect drinking water supplies in Mandya, Mysuru and Bengaluru while also safeguarding standing crops in the Cauvery basin.
Bommai also said the Union Government had taken a positive stand on the Mekedatu project and noted that even the Chief Minister had acknowledged the Centre’s support.
Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and that all parties supported the decisions taken in the state’s interest.
“There was a very cordial atmosphere in the meeting, and we have taken some decisions in the interest of the state. The Chief Minister has taken all leaders into confidence,” Patil said.