BJP MLC C.T. Ravi had on Friday criticised the Karnataka government over the Cauvery water issue and asked the Chief Minister to put the best interests of the people of Karnataka first and ensure that water is available for drinking and agriculture before any decision is taken regarding the release of water to Tamil Nadu.
Ravi said the Chief Minister should not serve as a "waterman for Tamil Nadu" and instead focus on protecting Karnataka's rightful share of water as a “waterman for Tamil Nadu” -- and not in terms of management of the water stored in the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir, he told reporters at Chamundi Hills in Mysuru.
Ravi recalled that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had earlier taken a strong stand on Karnataka's water rights while serving in the opposition. He said Shivakumar had actively participated in protests with the slogan that Karnataka's water belongs to the people of the state.
Ravi, however, claimed that the government’s present policy was different. He said that comments that farmers should not grow water-intensive crops had caused concern for agricultural communities in the Cauvery basin.
He also said the government should first clarify how much drinking water is currently available in the KRS reservoir for residents of Mandya, Mysuru and Bengaluru before releasing water downstream.
"The Chief Minister must stand firmly for the people of Karnataka. If the government protects the state's interests, we will extend our support," Ravi said during the media.
He also drew a political comparison with the former Karnataka Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, saying the current leadership should have similar resolve in the matter of interstate water disputes.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Karnataka visit
When asked about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay's proposed visit to Karnataka, Ravi said dialogue between neighbouring states is always welcome if it helps resolve issues peacefully.
He suggested that the Karnataka government ought to use the opportunity to explain the actual water situation in the state’s reservoirs and the challenges faced by farmers and residents dependent on Cauvery water.
Ravi also made a political remark, saying that if the Congress and Tamil Nadu TVK have friendly political relations, the Karnataka leadership should be able to effectively communicate the state's concerns to its counterparts.
He questioned whether the government would be able to convince its political allies about Karnataka’s genuine water requirements if such relationships actually exist.
The water issue continues to dominate Karnataka Politics
The Cauvery water dispute is one of the most sensitive issues in southern India and often involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in political disputes as well in the case of deficient rainfall or less reservoir storage.
Political leaders across party lines have repeatedly asked the Karnataka government to ensure sufficient drinking water for the state’s cities and irrigation needs before following any water release order.
The state government is not issuing a firm reply to Ravi’s comments yet. Meanwhile, officials are still monitoring reservoir levels and rainfall patterns as water management is still an important issue during the monsoon season.
