Bengaluru, July 29 (IANS) Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday alleged that despite paying Rs 300 crore in fees to lawyers, the state government failed to protect Karnataka’s interests in the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, leading to the directive to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters in Davangere, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) order was a direct consequence of the Karnataka government’s negligence and failure to adequately prepare its legal case.
“The failure of the state government in the Cauvery water-sharing issue is evident. The decision to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu has arisen due to the government’s negligence. Proper consultation with legal experts was not held. Despite paying Rs 300 crore in fees to lawyers, the government has failed to protect the state’s interests,” Ashoka said.
He expressed concern about the order’s impact on Karnataka’s drinking water security, particularly in Bengaluru and other regions dependent on the Cauvery River.
“The future of drinking water for lakhs of people, including residents of Bengaluru, is under threat. The government must immediately strengthen the legal battle and safeguard Karnataka’s rights. If necessary, the legal team should also be changed,” he said.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of prioritising political initiatives over public welfare and questioned its spending priorities.
He alleged that while the government was willing to spend extensively on political activities and publicity, it was reluctant to assist farmers affected by drought and crop losses.
“Whenever it comes to extending relief to farmers reeling under drought and crop damage, the government says it has no money. It is highly condemnable that the government is spending crores on political activities and propaganda while hesitating to support the very people who feed the nation,” Ashoka said.
The BJP leader’s remarks come amid an intensifying political row over the Cauvery water dispute, with the Karnataka government announcing its decision to challenge the CWRC’s order before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), citing a severe rainfall deficit and inadequate water storage in the state’s reservoirs.
–IANS
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