Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in an address from Mysuru, expressed his concerns over the growing politicization of the Cauvery River issue, denouncing it as ‘politically motivated.’ With the state grappling with protests and a Bengaluru bandh, he stressed the adverse consequences of turning a critical regional concern into a political battleground.
Siddaramaiah emphasized the need for a more constructive approach to resolving the Cauvery River water dispute, cautioning against exploiting the issue for political advantage. He cited the Supreme Court’s characterization of bandhs as illegal but refrained from opposing the ongoing protests.
In response to former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda’s appeal to Prime Minister Modi for central intervention, Siddaramaiah welcomed the move, asserting that there was no need to criticize the state government in the process. He reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of the state and its farmers.
Regarding the pressing issue of a distress formula for the Cauvery dispute, Siddaramaiah hinted at a potential solution offered by the Mekedatu Project. “The Mekedatu project, with a capacity of 67 TMC of water, presents another solution to our water challenges. Sharing the water will benefit both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu,” he stated. However, it’s worth noting that Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the Mekedatu project, expressing concerns about its impact on the state’s water share.
Deve Gowda, lending his support to the bandh, stressed the importance of peaceful protests. He called for a non-violent expression of grievances, urging farmers in Tamil Nadu to empathize with the challenges faced by their counterparts in Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the BJP state general secretary, N Ravi Kumar, interpreted the widespread support for the bandh as a clear message from Bengaluru’s residents to CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar. He described it as a “black spot” for the Congress government, suggesting that defying the Supreme Court order and going to jail would have been a more fitting stance to protect the state’s interests.
Amidst these developments, various organizations have joined forces to observe the bandh, demanding that the state government halt the release of water to Tamil Nadu.