Karnataka CM Stresses State Interests in Cauvery Dispute After All‑Party Meeting

Karnataka’s chief minister, D.K. Shivakumar, told reporters on Sunday that the state’s welfare would be the guiding star as the long‑running Cauvery water‑sharing row unfolds. He used a calm, almost conversational tone, reminding everyone that he grew up in the Cauvery basin and, as the son of a farmer, feels the pressure personally.

Speaking after an all‑party meet convened under the directions of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), Shivakumar called the gathering “historic”. He said the whole state is glued to the outcome, waiting to see what the officials decide.

“I was born and brought up right here, in the basin,” he said, adding a brief aside about how his own family’s fields have felt the squeeze. “I won’t let anything that harms Karnataka’s interests happen.” He reminded the audience of the legacy of previous leaders – Gundurao, S.M. Krishna, Veerappa Moily and Siddaramaiah – who, he claimed, have all fought to safeguard the state’s share.

Rainfall, or the lack of it, featured prominently in his remarks. Karnataka, he explained, has recorded only about 35 % of its usual monsoon rains so far. “We’re facing a severe deficit. Farmers have been asked to hold on until we give them district‑specific planting guidance,” he said, pausing as if listening to the wind.

On the water‑release front, the CWMA and CWRC have ordered Karnataka to let 3,500 cusecs flow downstream to Tamil Nadu. “Our dams were empty, but we did get some rain recently – Kabini is now full,” Shivakumar noted, trying to balance optimism with reality.

He stressed that drinking water tops the list of priorities. “We’re only releasing water to fill lakes and tanks meant for potable use, not for irrigation,” he clarified. He also mentioned that the state is tapping borewells where needed to keep agriculture afloat.

Legally, the chief minister said Karnataka will stay within the framework and consult its legal team before taking any next steps. “The Advocate General briefed us on the legal angles. This is just the first stage,” he added, sounding measured.

Statistics painted a stark picture: in June last year Karnataka released about 19.9 TMC of water, whereas this June only 2.30 TMC has been let go. July numbers are similarly lopsided – 31 TMC last year versus a meagre 3.6 TMC this year. “We were supposed to release close to 40 TMC by now, but the shortage forced us to hold back,” he said.

Shivakumar also urged political parties and Kannada organisations not to call for a bandh, appealing for unity. “All parties, JD(S), BJP and everyone else – please don’t disrupt normal life,” he pleaded, noting that the consensus was reached during the meeting.

The gathering saw former chief ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Siddaramaiah, Basavaraj Bommai and Veerappa Moily, along with Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, lending their weight to the discussion.

Looking ahead, the state will work with agricultural experts to advise farmers on crop choices suited to the water they actually have. “We’ll roll out district‑wise guidance soon,” he promised.

In a diplomatic finish, Shivakumar mentioned he had asked Tamil Nadu’s chief minister, Joseph Vijay, to postpone a planned visit to Bengaluru, a request that was apparently accepted.