Karnataka will take a final call on the future course of action regarding the interim order of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal on August 16, in consultation with legal expert F.S. Nariman and his team.
This decision was taken at an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Sunday, to review developments arising out of the tribunal rejecting the State’s interim application seeking 7 tmcft of water from Mahadayi River for the Kalasa-Banduri Nala drinking water project.
Mr. Siddaramaiah told reporters that the meeting, which discussed the issue threadbare and weighed various legal options, has unanimously decided to act in accordance with the legal suggestion of the State’s senior counsel Mr. Nariman, who is appearing before the tribunal.
Mr. Nariman has already suggested two options of either seeking clarification from the tribunal on its interim order under Section 5 (3) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 or filing a special leave petition before the Supreme Court against the tribunal’s order.
Parties unite
The leaders of all political parties rallied behind the Chief Minister and expressed confidence in the decision to be taken by him. Bharatiya Janata Party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa said all parties would remain united on the Mahadayi issue in the interest of the State’s water share and that of the four parched districts to be benefited by the Kalasa-Banduri project.
“Mr. Siddaramaiah has taken everyone into confidence and we are confident of the State getting justice,” said Mr. Yeddyurappa. Similar was the opinion of H.D. Kumaraswamy, State president of Janata Dal (Secular).
The former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, could not attend the meeting because of his illness. However, in his letter to Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Gowda urged the release of protesters and advised him to take a suitable decision on the Mahadayi issue after consulting legal and technical experts.
