Karnataka Elections 2018: Election Commission says code of conduct will not affect Cauvery Management Board set-up

The Election Commission announced the polling schedule for the 224-member Karnataka assembly on Tuesday The Model code of conduct for the candidates had the leaders of Tamil Nadu worried They were anxious whether the Centre will be able to set up the Cauvery Management Board as directed by the Supreme Court

The Election Commission announced the polling schedule for the 224-member Karnataka assembly on Tuesday. Voting in Karnataka will be held on 12 May and will be held in a single phase, while counting is slated for 15 May.

The Model code of conduct for the candidates has already begun and will end on May 28. This had the leaders of Tamil Nadu worried. They were anxious whether the Centre will be able to set up the Cauvery Management Board as directed by the Supreme Court since it also involves Karnataka as a party.

Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat has put all doubts to rest. “Whatever is the direction or the order of the honorable court and compliance thereof, Commission and MCC doesn't come in the way,” said Rawat which means the formation of the board cannot be stalled because of Karnataka election.

Union government can follow Supreme court's directive to Cauvery Management Board.

The Supreme Court had on February 16 delivered the final verdict on the Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In its order, Tamil Nadu would get 177.25 tmcft water, while Karnataka would get 14.75 tmcft more than it was allocated in the previous judgement.

But now the bone of contention between the two states is the word ‘Scheme’ in the order. While Tamil Nadu says that ‘scheme’ meant the Cauvery Management Board, Karnataka has said that there is no mention of the Cauvery Management Board and only a ‘scheme’ is mentioned.