Cauvery row: Karnataka all-party meeting ends, Cabinet meet begins

 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held an all-party meeting to discuss the Cauvery water crisis and the Supreme Court’s verdict at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha conference hall.

 

Speaking to the media, Siddaramaiah said, “The opinions of the members of all parties have been taken. We will take a decision after the Cabinet meeting, which will start shortly. I had extended an invitation to BJP leaders as well. However none of them turned up for the meeting,"

 

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) supremo HD Deve Gowda, former Chief Minister and JD (S) state chief HD Kumaraswamy, CS Puttaraju of the JD (S), Congress leaders Oscar Fernandes, Mallikarjun Kharge, leaders of the Raitha Sangha (Farmers' Association), Puttannaih and others took part in the meeting.

 

However, the BJP decided to abstain from this meeting.

 

"The CM cannot do anything by himself. We must all be in this struggle together. All state legislators and Union Parliamentarians should ignore their differences and approach Delhi as required," Deve Gowda said at the meeting. The senior leader had spoken for over half an hour in the meeting.

 

Speaking to the media, Deve Gowda said that a decision would be taken keeping the welfare of people in mind. Gowda had not participated in any all-party meeting since 1996.

 

"The welfare of farmers should be the preference for people’s representatives. Chief minister Siddaramaiah has taken many steps in this regard. The state government has taken right steps in this regard. We do not know why BJP abstained from the all-party meeting. We will take a decision on appealing before the Constitutional entity or the President of India at the Cabinet meeting. The government will ultimately keep the welfare of farmers in mind," Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.

 

The decision has been taken to hold a special Assembly session on Saturday to discuss the Cauvery issue. Earlier this day, CM Siddaramaiah held meetings with his Cabinet ministers, advocates and met Deve Gowda at the latter’s residence.

 

The all-party meeting began at 8 pm, and most leaders have expressed the opinion that Cauvery water should not be released to Tamil Nadu.

 

The BJP’s decision not to take part in the meeting has been being criticised across the state.

 

However, it is believed to have a final decision on whether to release or not to release the water to Tamil Nadu will be taken soon.

 

Meanwhile, protestors had laid siege to Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha's house, who was missing from the scene. Protests were also held in Bengaluru and Chamarajanagar.

 

The Cauvery Hitharakshnana Vedike, led by G Madegowda, announced several decisions after speaking to Mandya farmers.

 

Protestor's Demands

•    Water should not be released to Tamil Nadu at any cost.

•    Cauvery basin farmers should be given proper compensation for crop loss.

•    School, colleges in Mandya should function as usual.

•    No damage should be made to public property during the protest.