Karnataka BJP Critiques Congress Govt for Water Release to Telangana
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Synopsis
The Karnataka BJP has condemned the Congress government for releasing 1.24 TMC of water to Telangana, claiming it betrays the interests of the state and its farmers. The opposition leader raised concerns about political motives behind the decision, while the Deputy Chief Minister defended the action as a mutual aid between neighboring states.
Key Takeaways
- BJP criticizes Congress for releasing water to Telangana.
- Opposition leader compares Congress actions to historical betrayals.
- Concerns raised over farmer interests and political motives.
- Deputy Chief Minister defends water release as mutual aid.
- Calls for accountability from the Congress government.
Bengaluru, Feb 27 (NationPress) The BJP in Karnataka has criticized the Congress-led administration for the release of 1.24 TMC of water to Telangana from state reservoirs, arguing it undermines the interests of Karnataka.
Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, remarked on Thursday that the Congress government is "outdoing even Mallappa Setty and Mir Sadiq in betrayal".
Mallappa Setty and Mir Sadiq were known for their betrayal against Indian freedom fighters through their collaboration with the British.
Ashoka continued, "Last year, even in the face of severe drought, the Congress government covertly released Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Now, disregarding the impending summer, it is letting go of 1.24 TMC of water from the Alamatti and Narayanpur reservoirs to Telangana.”
“Mr. Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, despite advice from officials that releasing water now would be detrimental to the state, and in the face of opposition from farmers’ groups, you persist in releasing water to Telangana for your political interests. Have you engaged in clandestine agreements with Congress leaders in Telangana to gain favor with the Congress high command for the Chief Minister's position?” Ashoka criticized.
He further questioned, “Is your political ambition more critical than safeguarding the interests of the farmers and the general populace of our state? What authority did you have to authorize the release of Karnataka’s water to Telangana?”
“Self-respecting Kannadigas must hold this treacherous Congress government accountable for prioritizing water supply to other states over the needs of Kannadigas,” Ashoka emphasized.
In response to allegations regarding the overnight release of water to Telangana from the Narayanapura dam, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, stated, “There is nothing to conceal here. Riparian states have been providing mutual assistance during crises. They have supported us multiple times, and we reciprocate as well. One TMC of water was released as the Irrigation Minister made a personal request.”
Shivakumar added that Telangana has previously responded generously to Karnataka’s water needs from the Krishna River. “There is no fault in this; as neighboring states, we must help one another.”
