From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Aug 21: With the Supreme Court agreeing to constitute a special bench to hear Tamil Nadu government’s plea to direct Karnataka to release 24,000 cusecs of water daily as per the Cauvery Water Disputes Monitoring Authority’s order, BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai assured full cooperation to the Congress government on the issue in order to protect the interests of the State, its people and farmers.

Addressing media persons at the State BJP office on Monday, the former chief minister said the Siddaramaiah government must treat the Cauvery issue with all seriousness and take all steps to protect the interests of the State.

Bommai said the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has already issued its award and the State government has failed to effectively protect the interests of Karnataka. The government has decided to release water and at the same time is blaming others.

“As an opposition party, the BJP is ready to extend all cooperation to the government,’’ he declared.

He pointed out that the farmers of Mandya and Mysuru region have resorted to dharnas. The government must take all steps to manage the available water in a distress year and the government must convince the farmers of its sincerity.

The Deputy Chief Minister and Water Resources Minister need not answer to the opposition BJP or JD(S). “But he must answer to the people, especially those in Bengaluru and the farmers on its handling of the issue,’’ he said.

The BJP leader condemned the statement of Shivakumar that the farmers must approach the Supreme Court and asked the government to effectively argue the case of Karnataka.

The State BJP had held its core committee meeting with BJP State party chief Nalin Kumar Kateel, former chief minister and Central Election Committee member B S Yediyurappa, Union minister Prahlad Joshi, former chief minister D V Sadananada Gowda, senior party leaders C T Ravi, Govind Karjol, K S Eshwarappa, R Ashok, C N Ashwatyh Narayana, B Sriramulu, Nirmal Kumar Surana and Rajesh GV at the party office.