Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Saturday, 15 August accused the state Congress government of covertly releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu through the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) reservoir, even as it publicly maintained that not a single drop would be shared with the neighbouring state. The allegation, made in Bengaluru, has sharpened the political battle over the perennially contentious Cauvery water dispute.

The Core Allegation

Ashoka claimed that dam gates at KRS were being opened at night to release water to Tamil Nadu, at a time when farmers across Karnataka were reporting acute shortages and residents were struggling to secure adequate drinking water. He directly targeted Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Water Resources Minister N. Chaluvarayaswamy, accusing the government of a 'two-faced' approach to the Cauvery dispute.

'On one hand, the government says it will not release water to Tamil Nadu, while on the other, it is secretly opening the KRS dam gates and releasing water,' Ashoka said. He accused the ruling party of betraying the interests of Kannadigas to appease political allies.

Farmers in Mandya, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar Hit Hard

According to Ashoka, farmers in Mandya, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagar — districts that depend heavily on KRS water for irrigation — were watching their crops wither due to shortages, even as the government allegedly prioritised outflows to Tamil Nadu. 'Why is the government in such a hurry to release water to Tamil Nadu when there is not enough water for Kannadigas in the KRS reservoir?' he asked.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded an immediate halt to any such releases and warned of intensified protests across Karnataka if the government did not act. 'Do not test the patience of Kannadigas. If the release of water is not stopped immediately, we will take to the streets across the state,' Ashoka said.

Liquor Revenue Targets: A Second Front

Separately, Ashoka levelled a second set of accusations against the Congress government, alleging financial mismanagement and undue pressure on excise officials to meet aggressive liquor revenue targets. He claimed that officials had been assigned a monthly sales target of ₹3,800 crore, contributing to an annual excise revenue goal of ₹45,000 crore, and that those falling short were being issued show-cause notices.

Ashoka alleged that more than 12,003 liquor shops were operating across the state and accused the government of deliberately expanding the retail liquor network — in rural and urban areas alike — to plug fiscal gaps created by its guarantee schemes. He urged Chief Minister Shivakumar and Excise Minister Shivalinge Gowda to abandon what he called a 'shameful policy' of pushing families into alcohol addiction for revenue gains.

BJP's Warning and Political Context

This comes amid an ongoing standoff between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water sharing, a dispute that has historically inflamed regional sentiment and triggered protests. The BJP's aggressive posture on both the water and excise issues signals an attempt to build a broader anti-incumbency narrative ahead of future electoral cycles.

The Karnataka government is yet to formally respond to Ashoka's allegations on either count. Whether the state will clarify its position on KRS releases — or the excise targets — is likely to set the tone for the political week ahead.