Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is facing the heat over Cauvery issue has accused Opposition parties of indulging in politics over water release to Tamil Nadu. Addressing the media after a Congress Party function in Bengaluru on Thursday he said the BJP and JD(S) were politicising the issue for gaining political mileage and said that this was not the first time the State releasing water to Tamil Nadu as per Supreme Court directions.
The Chief Minister said in 2012 when Jagadish Shettar was the Chief Minister he had released 10,000 cusecs of water as per Apex Court order and even without consulting the Opposition parties. In 1995 when Devegowda was the Chief Minister the water was released and also when SM Krishna was in power. “So this is not for the first time that water was being released. The issue should not be politicised since the State Government has to adhere to the apex court direction,” Siddaramaiah justified his action.
He also said Karnataka will file a petition before the Supreme Court seeking modification of its September 5 direction to release 15,000 cusecs of water daily for next 10 days from river Cauvery to Tamil Nadu. “We have decided to move the apex court to review its direction taking into account the ground reality,” he added.
Defending the release of water to Tamil Nadu Siddaramaiah said any violation of Supreme Court directions may have adverse impact on the State as the Special leave petition filed against the Tribunal award is coming up for hearing on October 18.”
He also clarified that senior Supreme Court lawyer Fali S Nariman had agreed to release water for 6 days keeping the SlP and in the interest of the State but the apex court has extended it to 10 days. The Chief Minister said the Opposition parties were informed about this and there was no other go but to release water since the Supreme Court indicated about it on September Two.
Chief Minister appealed to the protesting farmers to hold their protest in a peaceful manner, and said his Government is committed to protect the interests of the farmers and the standing crops and supply drinking water to Mandya, Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Meanwhile protests across the politically-sensitive Cauvery basin region in Karnataka were intensified to stop the State Government from releasing water from KRS dam to Tamil Nadu.
Meanwhile the bandh called by various organisations in protest against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu on Friday is expected to bring parts of state to a grinding
halt.
Additional Director General of Police Alok Mohan said in all 65,000 policemen and officers will ensure security throughout the State. This includes four companies of Rapid Action force, one company of para military force, 40 companies of Karnataka Armed Reserve police, home guards and civil police.
Bangalore city police commissioner NS Megharikh said over 16,000 policemen will be deployed in the tech hub to maintain law and order. He warned anti-social elements will be dealt with iron hands if they take law to their hands or indulge in violence and attack public properties.