H D Deve Gowda
Credit: PTI Photo
Bengaluru: Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Saturday said that he was prepared to speak to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar to ensure justice to Karnataka in irrigation projects.
Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, Deve Gowda hit out at the Jal Shakti ministry for allocating 15.891 tmcft water to Karnataka for Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery river diversions.
“Karnataka needs 25 tmc of water and I will take everyone across parties into confidence over this issue. I have no hesitation to speak to Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar for the welfare of the state,” Gowda said.
He said there should not be any politics when it comes to issues pertaining to water share of the state. “We need to learn from Tamil Nadu politicians when it comes to welfare of the state,” he said.
The former PM said he had already requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Jal Shakti minister to increase water allocation from 15.891 tmc ft to 25 tmc ft to Karnataka.
“Getting justice in irrigation projects and water disputes is my only aim. Injustice has been done to Karnataka in all irrigation projects,” he said.