Karnataka population won't allow release of Cauvery water: JD (S)

Stating that the verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal Award is against Karnataka and not based on information, the Janata Dal (Secular) on Sunday asserted that the people of the state and the political parties won't allow the waters from the Cauvery river to be released.

JD (S) leader Danish Ali told ANI, "The verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal Award is against Karnataka. It's not based on information. The civil appeal of Karnataka is pending in the Supreme Court...which will be heard by a three-judge bench on October 18. The political parties and people of Karnataka won't allow the release of water from Cauvery basin."

Ali added, "Now what is the need of immediate formation of water management board within four days? First let decision come on Karnataka's appeal. That's why the Karnataka Government has decided that it won't give its nominee to the water management board."

The apex court on Friday asked Karnataka to discharge 6,000 cusecs water from Saturday till October 6, while warning that "no one would know when the 'wrath of the law' would fall on it".

It ordered all the stakeholders - Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pudduchery - to give names by 4 pm on Saturday of their representatives to be included in the board, which would be chaired by the Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti.

The apex court gave the last opportunity to the Siddaramiah government to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu from October 1-6, despite a unanimous resolution passed by both house of Assembly.

The court noted that despite being a state, Karnataka is flouting the order and creating a situation when the majesty of law is dented, adding that the court would have proceeded to take steps for strict compliance of the order, but it had directed the Cauvery Water Management Board to first study the ground realities and submit a report.