Karnataka To Hold All-Party Meeting On Cauvery Issue, Says Dy CM Parameshwara
State seeks consensus amid deepening Cauvery water shortage.
The Karnataka government will convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute as the state grapples with an acute drinking water shortage, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday. His remarks came after the Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority (CWRA) directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu, despite concerns over dwindling water availability. The meeting, proposed by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, is expected to formulate a united stand on the issue amid growing pressure from multiple stakeholders.
Addressing reporters, Parameshwara said Karnataka had consistently honoured its obligations under the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement whenever adequate water was available. He noted that the state had released more than the prescribed quantity of water to Tamil Nadu in the previous two years. However, he questioned the practicality of directing Karnataka to release additional water at a time when the state itself was facing severe shortages for drinking purposes. He also indicated that the issue could be discussed if Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay visits Bengaluru on August 4.
The Deputy Chief Minister revealed that Karnataka had already begun exploring its legal options. A meeting with legal experts was held in New Delhi on Tuesday, attended by Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy, to assess the future course of action regarding the CWRA's directive. Parameshwara said consultations with legal experts would continue before the government arrives at a final decision. He also acknowledged the protests planned by farmer organisations in Mandya and nearby districts, stating that their concerns were understandable given the prevailing water crisis.
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On the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, Parameshwara reiterated Karnataka's position that Tamil Nadu could only raise objections regarding its allocated share of Cauvery water and not oppose the project itself. Referring to reports that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the project, he said any representation to the Prime Minister was permissible but stressed that judicial rulings would ultimately prevail. He maintained that the court's verdict supported Karnataka's stance and that the state would proceed accordingly.
Parameshwara also defended continued dialogue between neighbouring states despite ongoing disputes, describing such interactions as a normal feature of India's federal structure. He cited recent discussions involving the Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana on river-linking initiatives as an example of cooperative federalism. Rejecting allegations that the state had failed to effectively present its drought concerns, he said Karnataka had already informed the Centre about the severity of the situation and sought relaxation in the criteria for declaring drought-hit areas. According to him, the existing norms do not adequately address regions experiencing extreme rainfall deficits, particularly in North Karnataka, making immediate policy intervention necessary.
Also Read: Karnataka CM Says Ready To Discuss Cauvery Issue With Tamil Nadu Leader
