Cauvery river issue hots up between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka

CHENNAI - The decades long dispute over sharing of waters from River Cauvery has once again ignited social and political rivalry between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The decades old dispute has yet again raised waves of turmoil among parties in Tamil Nadu with the opposition MDMK (Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) accusing the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of not pressurising the neighbouring state of Karnataka to release the river waters for the farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to these developments, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, has stated that his government would approach the issue legally instead of taking the case before the Prime Minister of the country.

“We will approach the issue legally. There is no need to write to Prime Minister, as he has been told about the matter directly. He is also aware about the matters that are already before the Supreme Court,” said Karunanidhi to reporters here.

He said the River Cauvery dispute was pending before the Supreme Court.

However, V Goplaswamy, popularly known as Vaiko and General Secretary of MDMK accused that Karunanidhi of betraying the people of the Tamil Nadu on the issue.

“From the beginning in the issue of Cauvery, Paalar issue and also in the matter of Mullaperiyar Dam, Karunanidhi has betrayed by saying that there is no rain, how Karnataka will give water to us. Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has also cheated along with him. Moreover, the central government is blindly overlooking the entire matter,” said ‘Vaiko’.

Earlier on Wednesday (October 27), after an all-party meeting held at Bangalore city of Karnataka to discuss Tamil Nadu’s request for water, B S Yeddyurappa said that it was impossible to release water under the present circumstances.

As per the interim award of inter-state water dispute tribunal, Karnataka is required to release 205 tmc ft of water annually to Tamil Nadu. (ANI)