Cauvery Row—'They Are Doing Their Politics': Karnataka Dy CM After TN All-Party Meet Decides To Move SC If Needed

Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had directed Karnataka to release one TMC feet of water everyday from July 12 to July 31 into Tamil Nadu. However, it agreed to release 8,000 cusecs.

A meeting of the legislative party leaders in the Tamil Nadu Assembly was held on Tuesday, which concluded with the leaders deciding to approach the Supreme Court, if necessary, to get Cauvery water from Karnataka. This comes after Karnataka CM Siddaramaih said that the state is ready to release 8,000 cusecs of water everyday and not one TMC ft as directed by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee.

Responding to Tamil Nadu's decision to knock at the apex court's doors if needed, Karnataka CM DK Shivkumar claimed: "They are doing their politics, we don't want to interfere with their internal politics."

"If there is water, definitely we are going to leave (release) water. Whatever 177 tmc (thousand million cubic feet) of water has to be released to them in a normal year, we don't want to hold any water. That is our stand," he said, clarifying Karnatka's stand.

Shivkumar further asked Tamil Nadu to stop worrying and said: "We are getting some good signs that rain gods have been showing some showers from yesterday, it takes about 250 km for it (water) to travel; today, I am also getting very good inflow. So, I think Tamil Nadu need not worry."

On July 15 the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had directed to release one TMC feet of water everyday from July 12 to July 31. After Karnataka declined to release the stipulated amount of water, Stalin deplored the move despite CWRC's directions.

He stated that the farmers of Tamil Nadu were severely affected last year after Karnataka did not release Cauvery water in compliance with Supreme Court's verdict.

Stalin further said that the state could secure water only by approaching the Supreme Court.

"This year, despite the southwest monsoon being favourable, the Karnataka government behaving in this way cannot be accepted," he added.

CM Stalin Reads Out Resolutions Condemning Karnataka's Refusal

One of the resolutions, read by CM Stalin during the meeting, strongly condemned the Karnataka government for refusing to release the water as per CWRC directive.

"Such refusal is tantamount to disrespecting the Supreme Court judgment and Cauvery Tribunal's Final Award.This meeting unanimously resolves to approach the Supreme Court, if required, and take all legal steps in order to immediately get water for Tamil Nadu, as per the final award of the Cauvery tribunal and the Supreme Court judgment," the resolution read.

Congress representatives, PMK, VCK, CPI, CPI(M), BJP, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchi, Puratchi Bharatham and MDMK took part in the meeting.