Karnataka CM Emphasizes State’s Priorities in Cauvery Water Dispute After All‑Party Meeting

Karnataka’s chief minister, DK Shivakumar, told reporters on Sunday that protecting the state’s people and its water security would remain the government’s number‑one focus as the Cauvery water‑sharing dispute unfolds.

Speaking after an all‑party meeting convened at the behest of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), the CM called the gathering “historic”. He said the whole of Karnataka is watching anxiously for any decision that may emerge.

“I was born and raised in the Cauvery basin. My father was a farmer, and I know firsthand what the land needs,” Shivakumar said, pausing before adding, “so you can be sure that the welfare of Karnataka’s farmers and citizens is my top priority.”

He reminded the audience that successive governments – from Gundurao and S.M. Krishna to Veerappa Moily and Siddaramaiah – have consistently fought to protect Karnataka’s share. “We will not do anything that harms the state’s interests,” he asserted.

The CM also highlighted the severe rainfall deficit the state is grappling with this year. “We have received barely 35 percent of our normal monsoon so far,” he explained, “and that’s why we have asked farmers to wait for district‑specific cultivation guidelines before they decide what to plant.”

According to Shivakumar, the CWMA and CWRC have instructed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. He noted that while the state’s reservoirs are still far from full, recent showers have helped the Kabini dam reach capacity, and inflows into the Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) reservoir have risen to around 22,000 cusecs.

Even with these modest improvements, the chief minister said the government’s immediate priority is drinking water, not irrigation. “We are releasing only enough water to fill lakes and tanks meant for potable use,” he clarified, adding that borewell water is being tapped where necessary for crops.

On the legal front, Shivakumar said Karnataka will stay within the framework of the law, consulting the Advocate General and a team of legal experts before taking any further steps. “This is just the first stage,” he warned, noting that several more meetings of the CWMA and CWRC are slated for the year.

He contrasted this year’s water releases with last year’s figures – 19.9 TMC in June and about 31 TMC in July versus just 2.30 TMC and 3.6 TMC respectively this year – citing the stark shortage as the reason for the shortfall.

The CM also addressed political sensitivities, urging Kannada organisations, the BJP, JD(S) and all other parties not to call a bandh over the issue. “We decided this at the all‑party meeting, and I appeal on behalf of the government,” he said.

Leaders across the spectrum – former chief ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Siddaramaiah, Basavaraj Bommai, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and others – attended the session and offered suggestions, according to Shivakumar.

Looking ahead, the chief minister promised that crop planning will be aligned with water availability, with experts from the Agricultural University providing district‑level guidance on suitable crops.

He also mentioned that he has spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister‑turned‑former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, both of whom have pledged support. Finally, Shivakumar disclosed that Tamil Nadu’s chief minister Joseph Vijay has agreed to postpone a planned visit to Bengaluru, easing immediate tensions.