From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 22: Taking potshots at the Siddaramaiah-led Congress regime and its 5 poll gurantees, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday demanded a 'Water Guarantee' from the government.
Addressing media persons after participating in a meeting of party leaders of Cauvery basin regions at the BJP office in Bengaluru, he attacked the Congress government for its flippant and non-serious approach on handling of the Cauvery water issue and warned that Swamijis, farmers and citizens of Bengaluru will rise in revolt against the government for its inept handling.
The BJP leader said Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar,
who is handling the water resources portfolio, have bungled in the handling of the Cauvery issue from the beginning.
He accused the government of being responsible for being compelled to release 7.5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu due its inept handling of the Cauvery issue before the Supreme Court.
He said the people and farmers have been kept in the dark about the government’s next course of action. "BJP has taken the issue seriously and is ready to launch an agitation in all the Cauvery basin districts,’’ he warned.
Bommai lashed out at the government for wasting its time on the guarantees and continuously setting new conditions. The deputy chief minister harps on Brand Bengaluru and is silent on the drinking water issue to Bengaluru.
The Cauvery tribunal had asked the government to keep 4.5 tmcft of water for meeting the drinking water needs of Bengaluru. But the Congress government does not speak about that at all. Tamil Nadu has utilised excess water to illegally extend its agriculture. However, the government is silent on the issue, he said.
Tamil Nadu is likely to get rains in the coming days and this point must be brought to the notice of the Supreme Court, he said.
The BJP leader attacked the government for criticising the Centre to cover up for its failures. He said the party will hold a protest at the Mysuru Bank Circle on Saturday and will also launch protests in all the 28 Lok Sabha constituencies.
To a question on whether the government should bring an ordinance against the release of water, Bommai pointed out that an ordinance brought in the past was thrown out by the apex court. The government must immediately file a review petition before the Supreme Court, which might be considered, he said.
He said the BJP high command will discuss the issue of BJP-JD(S) alliance for the parliamentary elections and they will take a final decision.