Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Thursday announced that the state government will hold an all-party meeting on August 2 to discuss the ongoing Cauvery water dispute and decide the future course of action. The meeting will take place at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Krishna, in Bengaluru, with leaders from across political parties expected to participate.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Shivakumar said invitations have been sent to former Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament representing the Cauvery basin region, leaders of various political parties and floor leaders of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He said the meeting would focus on protecting the state’s interests and deciding the next steps in the dispute.
The Chief Minister said Karnataka was currently presenting its position before relevant authorities, with senior government officials making submissions on behalf of the state. He added that he has been closely monitoring developments related to the water-sharing issue and appreciated the support extended by political leaders across party lines.
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Shivakumar acknowledged the cooperation of Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V. Somanna, former Chief Ministers, and BJP leaders including Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar. He said MPs and Union Ministers from Karnataka were working together beyond political differences to safeguard the state’s interests.
Responding to remarks regarding discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Shivakumar said he did not want to comment on the issue and emphasised the need to follow legal procedures. He said there should be no confrontation between states and that both sides must respect the law and public sentiments while addressing the dispute.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions over the Cauvery water-sharing issue after the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. The decision has led to protests in several parts of Karnataka, with farmers’ groups and Kannada organisations urging the government to prioritise the state’s drinking water requirements. The Chief Minister also avoided giving a timeline for the pending Karnataka Cabinet expansion, saying the immediate focus remained on the Cauvery matter.
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