Karnataka's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 30 July launched a sharp attack on the state's Congress government after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) rejected Karnataka's appeal and upheld its directive to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused the Siddaramaiah-led administration of repeatedly failing to defend the state's rightful share in the long-running Cauvery water dispute.

CWMA Rejects Karnataka's Appeal

The CWMA's decision to retain the release directive came despite Karnataka's formal objection, dealing what Ashoka described as a significant blow to the state. He pointed out that reservoir levels across the Cauvery basin are declining steadily, raising alarms over drinking water security in multiple districts — including Bengaluru — and deepening the distress of lakhs of farmers already grappling with deficient rainfall.

'Despite these circumstances, the Congress government has completely failed to effectively present Karnataka's case and safeguard the state's interests,' Ashoka alleged in a formal statement.

BJP's Criticism of Chief Minister Shivakumar

Ashoka directed pointed criticism at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, arguing that the CM should have mounted a more aggressive legal and administrative challenge rather than confining himself to press conferences and political statements. 'His soft approach and negligence have once again resulted in a setback for Karnataka,' Ashoka said.

This is not the first time the BJP has accused the Congress government of a weak-kneed response on the Cauvery issue — a dispute that has historically inflamed public sentiment in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and repeatedly tested the limits of inter-state water-sharing frameworks.

Key Demands from the Opposition

The BJP leader laid out a set of immediate demands for the state government. He called for an all-party meeting to chart the next course of action and urged the government to explore challenging the CWMA order before the Supreme Court. Ashoka also demanded that no water be released to Tamil Nadu until Karnataka's drinking water requirements and farmers' interests are fully secured.

Additionally, Ashoka sought a comprehensive crop loss survey across water-scarce regions, noting that standing crops in several areas have already withered due to inadequate rainfall. He urged the government to announce adequate compensation for affected farmers without delay.

BJP's Stand on Cauvery

Reiterating the party's position, Ashoka asserted that there was 'no question of giving up even a drop of Karnataka's rightful share of water.' He pledged BJP support for any agitation or movement undertaken in the interest of farmers and in defence of the state's self-respect. 'Let it be remembered that the Congress government's priority should be the interests of the people of Karnataka and not political calculations,' he said.

With the CWMA order now in force and the Supreme Court option on the table, the coming days will test whether the Congress government opts for legal escalation or seeks a negotiated path — a decision that carries both legal and electoral weight ahead of local body elections in Karnataka.