A day after Karnataka’s refusal to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said his government would face the issue legally, but asserted that it would not come in the way of recent good ties between the two States.
After chairing a meeting of DMK functionaries, Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters, “We will approach the issue legally and continue to fight for securing our share of water. But I don’t want to comment on basis of media reports as it will affect ties and lead to unnecessary differences.”
He said he did not come across reports of Karnataka saying that it will release water after (the Krishnarajasagar) dam reached its maxiumum storage capacity of 124.7 feet.
To a question, he said there was no need to take up the matter with Prime Minister as he was aware of it and also noted that a case was pending in the Supreme Court over the Cauvery dispute.
On Wednesday, after an all-party meeting chaired by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Karnataka had turned down Tamil Nadu’s request for water release, saying it was not possible in the present circumstances.
Karnataka is required to release 205 tmcft of water annually to Tamil Nadu according to the interim award of inter-state water dispute tribunal. Cauvery water is the main source of irrigation in the delta districts of the State.
