Cauvery row: CM Shettar, Deve Gowda appeal for calm

As chief minister Jagadish Shettar comes under pressure from the people of Karnataka for the state government’s move to share Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu, Shettar himself and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda have appealed to people to maintain restraint over the issue.

The chief minster on Wednesday promised that the interest of the state’s farmers will be protected at any cost. “I am holding another all-party meeting on Saturday. I have also called the meeting of MPs from the state. We will present our case effectively before the Cauvery River Authority meeting chaired by prime minister Manmohan Singh,” he said.

At the JD(S) office, Deve Gowda also asked people not to disrespect the CM of another state, referring indirectly to Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalitha, while venting out ire in the backdrop of the Cauvery issue. Gowda also said that people should not disrespect the Supreme Court’s order. People should protest within the legal framework.

“It is a question of survival. Finding an amicable solution to the problem is the responsibility of all of us, including the prime minister, who will chair the meeting of the Cauvery Regulatory Authority,” Gowda said.

“I am not arguing on South-West monsoon that Tamil Nadu is going to receive soon. I do not speak about the available water in Mettur Dam in our neighboring state. People do not have drinking water in Bangalore, Mysore and Mandya. Drinking water is the first priority. We can not solve this issue by a political fight,” he added.