Karnataka says Cauvery tribunal verdict not acceptable

BANGALORE: After facing a barrage of criticism by the combined opposition, the Karnataka government on Wednesday 'disowned' the opinion expressed by its counsel on the Cauvery tribunal's final award and declared that the verdict was not acceptable to it.

"It is not the official reaction of the state government. It is only the opinion of advocates," Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said while replying to the day-long debate in the assembly initiated by opposition parties which objected to the statements by senior counsel Fali S Nariman, Mohan Katharaki and state advocate general Uday Holla who had reportedly stated that the 'verdict' was fair.

The state government will formulate its stand on the Tribunal order which allocated 270 tmc ft and directed Karnataka to release 192 tmc ft to Tamil Nadu after consulting leaders of all parties at a meeting, the Chief Minister assured the agitated opposition.

"We will not go back on our assurance to consult opposition and initiate further steps and there will be no compromise on protecting the interest of farmers of our state," Kumaraswamy said.

The government has not authorised advocates and it would be their personal opinion, he said seeking to defuse the situation in the House which witnessed a wordy duel between the government and the opposition on several occasions.

Amid noisy scenes, Water Resource Minister KS Eswarappa, who replied to the debate, maintained a similar stance and declared that the award was unacceptable to Karnataka.