The legal team representing Karnataka in the Cauvery water dispute before the Supreme Court has suggested that the State release water to Tamil Nadu immediately as directed by the apex court.
Expressing unhappiness over the State’s opposition to release water, the experts are learnt to have told Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai: “You have turned victory into defeat with this stand.”
Shettar and Bommai arrived in the Capital and held consultations with the legal team headed by Fali S Nariman at the latter’s residence to discuss the fallout of the apex court order and the steps the State should take now.
The chief minister is said to have tried convincing the legal team on the need to file a review petition.
He is learnt to have pointed out that there is already low level of storage in Cauvery river basin; releasing more water to Tamil Nadu would affect meeting the drinking water needs in summer.
The lawyers said they will examine the issue and advise on it accordingly on Friday.
Shettar refused to comment on the contentious issue after his meeting with Nariman, saying the State Assembly is in session. Sources, however, said the team suggested the chief minister to release the water immediately obeying the apex court order.
The team told Shettar and Bommai that Karnataka virtually won the battle against Tamil Nadu by exposing the neighbouring state’s tall claim of requiring 9 TMC feet of water.
“When we are able to bring Tamil Nadu’s bogus demand to the notice of the Supreme Court, we should also obey what the highest court directs on us,” the lawyers are learnt to have said.
On filing review petition, legal experts said they would give advice on this issue only on Friday after examining all implications.
After the meeting Mohan V Katarki, member of the legal team told Deccan Herald that “the team led by Nariman will examine the issue on filing the review petition on Friday”.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks