BJP urges Karnataka to share Cauvery waters, Siddaramaiah to convene all-party, cabinet meetings

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday urged the Karnataka Government to shed selfish interest and release Cauvery waters to neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Asserting that there is a need to rise above state politics, BJP leader Shaina NC said, "The Supreme Court has made it clear that the Karnataka government must release the Cauvery water at this juncture. I think we need to rise beyond the selfish interests of particular states and understand that India is one."

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Karnataka to release a further 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from 21 to 27 September daily.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has termed the Supreme Court's order as "unimplementable" and will convene a meeting of his cabinet and preside over an all-party meeting today to chalk out the next step.

State Home Minister G Parameshwara said Tuesday that he was disappointed with the Supreme Court judgement on the Cauvery water sharing issue, even as the apex court also directed the Centre to constitute Cauvery Management Board within a month.

He also directed the state police to conduct flag marches around sensitive areas and also appealled to pro-Kannada activists,farmers' associations to maintain peace. Police was also told to keep ready fire engines and other emergency forces ready in sensitive areas around Cauvery belt, including Bengaluru.

In Karnataka's Mandya district, a series of pro-Kannada protests were organised on Tuesday, which included protesters eating mud and placing their slippers on their heads as expressions of their disagreement with the Supreme Court order.

On the other hand, in Tamil Nadu, state ministers were seen taking part in a ceremonial release of waters through the Mettur Dam for Samba cultivation in the Cauvery Delta region.

The water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu dates back to the latter half of the 19th century.