Through his tenure as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has often been accused of being “non-consultative”, even by his own party colleagues. But, the Cauvery issue and his decision to “defy” the apex court order seems to have ensured that every political leader in the State, including his worst critics, publicly rally behind him.
His meetings with the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda at the latter’s residence on Wednesday, and the former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna on Thursday morning, ensured that he turned two of his worst critics into supporters. Mr. Krishna even offered a four-point formula to Mr. Siddaramaiah.
BJP’s support
Fully aware that every political party in the State has to support the decision not to release water, Mr. Siddaramaiah’s move has won him the support of even the principal Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly — BJP.
Several Congress leaders, who considered Mr. Siddaramaiah as an outsider in the party and termed him a regional satrap, now have to rally behind him, especially those from the Old Mysuru region like Mr. Krishna. Similarly, in north Karnataka, the Chief Minister has also made a mark in taking the right decision on the Mahadayi river water dispute (Karnataka and Goa) by taking up the issue with the Centre and writing to Chief Ministers of the concerned States.
Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha M. Mallikarjun Kharge led a protest of Congress MPs in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the State Secretariat in the city on Thursday, and opposed the formation of the Cauvery Management Board. Mr. Kharge also sought intervention of the Prime Minister to resolve the issue amicably. Such unity hasn’t been seen in the Congress in the recent past, a senior leader remarked.
However, it is not clear how long such political support will last and how Mr. Siddaramaiah’s political rivals will see the situation after a few days. It will also depend on how the Supreme Court responds to the State government’s stand, say senior leaders.
