The Janata Dal (Secular) on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, accused the Karnataka government of allegedly diverting Krishna River water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs in North Karnataka to Telangana, even as farmers across the region grapple with severe drought conditions and acute drinking water shortages. The party alleged that political considerations were being placed above the welfare of Karnataka's farmers.

The Allegation

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the JD-S questioned whether the Congress-led state government was prioritising the political interests of its leadership in neighbouring states over the needs of Karnataka's own citizens. The party alleged that Krishna water was being released “secretly” from the two major reservoirs to Telangana on the verbal instructions of the Chief Minister, without adequate public disclosure.

“Is the political agenda of the high command in a neighbouring state more important to the government? When farmers in the state are reeling under drought, and people in North Karnataka are struggling even for drinking water, is secretly releasing Krishna water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs to Telangana not an unforgivable betrayal?” the party said in its statement.

Wider Charges Against the Congress Government

The JD-S broadened its attack by alleging a pattern of diverting Karnataka’s resources to states governed by the Indian National Congress. The party drew a parallel with the Mekedatu project on the Cauvery River, suggesting that the Congress-led government in Karnataka was systematically favouring political allies in neighbouring states at the expense of local farmers and taxpayers.

“Karnataka’s taxpayers, Karnataka’s resources and Karnataka’s water, but the benefits go only to states that have political alliances with the Congress party,” the JD-S said. The party also criticised the government for allegedly failing to adequately compensate farmers in Karnataka for crop losses caused by the ongoing drought, even as it purportedly facilitated water supply to neighbouring states.

Demands and Warning

Condemning what it described as an “anti-farmer approach,” the JD-S demanded that the Karnataka government immediately halt the release of water to Telangana and redirect priority towards meeting the drinking water needs of people and the irrigation requirements of farmers in North Karnataka. The party warned that if these concerns went unaddressed, farmers could take to the streets in protest.

Background and Context

The allegations surface against a backdrop of worsening drought conditions in parts of Karnataka, with North Karnataka particularly affected by water scarcity for both agricultural and drinking purposes. Inter-state river water disputes have historically been a politically charged issue in South India, with the Cauvery and Krishna basins central to recurring tensions between Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. The Almatti Dam on the Krishna River has previously been a focal point in negotiations over water sharing between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is worth noting that the Karnataka government has not, at the time of reporting, publicly responded to these specific allegations.