Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar will meet state MPs in Delhi. Water disputes like drought, Mekedatu, Mahadayi and Krishna river will be discussed in the meeting. After returning from Delhi, he will also call an all-party meeting. CM said that cabinet expansion will also be completed this week.
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [भारत]July 27 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said he will meet all MPs from the state in Delhi. Several issues including drought, water disputes and major pending projects related to Mekedatu, Mahadayi and Krishna rivers will be discussed in this meeting.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said he has called a meeting of Karnataka MPs at Karnataka Bhawan in Delhi. He also said that he will hold an all-party meeting after returning to the state.
Shivakumar said, “I am going to Delhi and I have called all the MPs to meet at Karnataka Bhavan. I am meeting them, and we will discuss drought, water issues, Cauvery, Mahadayi, Mekedatu and Krishna river issues. We have to tell them all. There are many projects to discuss.”
He said that this meeting has been called to apprise the MPs about various issues related to the state and to seek their support. The Chief Minister said, “We have to inform our MPs. For the first time after becoming the Chief Minister, I have called them. I have to apprise them about a lot of issues. After that, I will also call an all-party meeting here.”
Shivakumar said that after his return he will also meet senior leaders including the leader of the opposition and former chief ministers. “As soon as I come back, I will meet them also. I will meet the leader of the opposition, former chief ministers and everyone. There are some important issues which need to be informed to them also. I will do that,” he said.
CM Shivkumar spoke on cabinet expansion
On Karnataka cabinet expansion, Shivakumar said that the formalities will be completed within this week. “As you all are excited, all cabinet formalities will be completed within this week,” he said.
Clash over Mekedatu project
The Chief Minister’s comments come amid the renewed political tussle between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project on the Cauvery river.
Karnataka says the project is within the state’s rights and will also benefit Tamil Nadu, while the DMK has urged the Center to intervene and ensure that Tamil Nadu’s share of the Cauvery waters is protected.
This comment comes amid the ongoing discussions within the Congress regarding the expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara had earlier said that the ministry would be expanded immediately after getting the approval from the Congress high command.
Parameshwara had said that the names for expansion have been finalized while a formal communication will be given to the Governor after consideration at the appropriate time.
After Shivakumar was appointed as the Chief Minister on June 3, the Karnataka cabinet currently has 14 members, including Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara. The proposed expansion is expected to meet the demands for greater regional and social representation in the ministry. (ANI)
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