JD(S) taunts Congress, supports BJP on Cauvery

The JD(S) on Monday challenged the Congress to prove its commitment to the people of Cauvery basin by pressuring the prime minister to provide justice to Karnataka in the river water sharing issue.

Coming indirectly to the rescue of the BJP in the Legislative Assembly, H C Balakrishna of the JD(S) said the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) had become the mouthpiece of the Central government. “Instead of indulging in politics, you (Congress) show your commitment to the State.

You are only helping Tamil Nadu by helping it get more water through the CMC. Injustice has been meted out to the State.” Despite repeated interventions by the Congress members, Balakrishna continued to taunt the party, saying it should take up the cause of the State with the prime minister as he heads the CMC, instead of talking on the floor of the House.

When some Congress members said the JD(S) seemed to have an understanding with the BJP, Balakrishna continued his argument saying Karnataka had been facing the ‘onslaught’ for many years. “It is not the BJP, but the Congress which should show its commitment over the Cauvery issue.

Look at how Tamil Nadu is prevailing over the prime minister to get water. Similar efforts should be made by the Congress too. The Union ministers from the State should fight for it. The CMC and Cauvery River Authority (CRA) are under the control of the prime minister,” he said.

While Siddaramaiah said the CRA  and  the CMC were quasi judicial bodies, Balakrishna continued his attack against the Congress and said: “We are with the chief minister. The government must not release any more water and provide Rs 25,000 per acre as compensation to the farmers of the Cauvery basin,” he said.

JD(S) MLC M C Nanaiah sought a clarification from the government on the rumours that it had agreed to the CMC directive to release water to Tamil Nadu. However, the House was adjourned before the government could give its reply.