Bengaluru: Congress MLC V S Ugrappa on Thursday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene to find a solution to the ongoing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu without wasting time.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Thursday, Ugrappa criticized political parties, especially Opposition parties, for issuing statements against the state government’s stand on Cauvery water issue. “This is the first time in Karnataka that Opposition parties are issuing statements against the government’s stand on the release of Cauvery water. Earlier, all political parties used to support the state government whenever there was a crisis over sharing Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu,’’ Ugrappa said.
The Congress leader said that Karnataka has always been at the receiving end when it comes to sharing Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu. Urging political parties to support the state government, he said, “The different opinions and statements of other political parties are an embarrassment for the state government.’’
Stating that water storage at the four reservoirs in Karnataka is only 31 TMC while the water storage in Mettur reservoir stands at 42 TMC, he demanded the BJP leaders in the state, including Union Ministers representing Karnataka, to apply pressure on the Prime Minister to intervene in Cauvery dispute. “It is unfortunate to know that the prime minister did not respond to five letters written by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. I think it is the time for the prime minister to intervene in Cauvery water dispute without wasting time,’’ he said.
Opposition attempts to destablise Congress govt
Congress leader H M Revanna blamed political parties for the violence during the bandh in the city. “Some BJP leaders are issuing statements against the state government. JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda advised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, but he extended his support to the agitation led by his son H D Revanna against releasing Cauvery water from Hemavathi reservoir. H D Kumaraswamy wanted the state government not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. It is nothing but politicizing Cauvery water issue and attempt to defame Congress government in the state,’’ Revanna said.
