The Opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) on Friday vociferously demanded in the Legislative Council that the State immediately suspend release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, regardless of legal and constitutional complications.
While Janata Dal (Secular) floor leader M.C. Nanaiah accused Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar of misguiding the House and sacrificing the State’s interests, Veeranna Mattigatti of the Congress demanded halt to release of water.
However, Minister for Housing V. Somanna defended the government’s decision citing Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) meeting to be held on Friday, suggestion of counsel of Karnataka and protecting the interests of farmers.
As soon as the House met, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) members trooped into the well of the House and declared their intention to stage a dharna till government suspended water release. Taking the government to task for “misguiding the House”, Mr. Nanaiah sought to know whether government had a moral right to continue in office “after sacrificing the interests of farmers.”
Objecting to three senior party leaders, including Mr. Shettar, visiting Gujarat to campaign in the Assembly elections there and participating in a family function of BJP leader Rajnath Singh, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader sought to know whether it was right for the leaders to participate in a marriage function when the law and order situation in the State was precarious.
Noting that the BJP government in the State was continuing with the life support system extended by the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), he urged Mr. Yeddyurappa to switch off “ventilator”. Mr. Nanaiah appealed to the Congress to impress upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure justice to Karnataka. He suggested that the government take a delegation of legislators to New Delhi. When attempts of Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy failed to convince the members to withdraw the dharna, he adjourned the House.
