Storage level in Karnataka's reservoirs is low and farmers are suffering, said HD Kumaraswamy
Highlights
- JD(S) set to form next government in Karnataka with Congress support
- JD(S) has taken the same stance as Congress on Cauvery issue
- "I invite Rajinikanth to come here, look at our dams": HD Kumaraswamy
JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy may not have taken charge as Karnataka Chief Minister just yet but he is sticking to the stand of the earlier Congress government that the state
does not have enough water to share with Tamil Nadu.
The JD(S) that emerged third in the recent Karnataka assembly elections is set to form the next government with the support of the Congress after the two parties stitched up a post-poll alliance.
"It is only if there is water in Karnataka that it is possible to give water," said Mr Kumaraswamy when asked for his reaction to superstar Rajinikanth's comments that Karnataka should follow the Supreme Court order on sharing of Cauvery water.
"I invite Rajinikanth to come here and look at the situation of our dams, the position of our farmers... If after you see that, you still say you want water, let us discuss it," the JD(S) leader said.
Karnataka show follow Supreme Court order on Cauvery water: Rajinikanth
Settling the decades-old water sharing dispute earlier this year, the Supreme Court had ruled that Karnataka would release 177.25 thousand million cubic feet of water to Tamil Nadu as opposed to the earlier 192 thousand million cubic feet.
There have been huge protests across Tamil Nadu over the delay by the centre in setting up the body that will oversee the water sharing. Actor Rajinikanth had called the delay disappointing, saying it would affect the
livelihood of Tamil Nadu farmers.
On Friday, the Supreme Court said that a 10-member body called the Cauvery Management Authority will oversee and regulate water sharing but Karnataka will continue to have control over dams in the state.
Actor Rajinikanth, who has already announced that he would form a political party and contest the next assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, said it would have been good if the authority controlled the dams.