From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 16: Deputy Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister D K Shivakumar has urged Tamil Nadu to cooperate on the Mekedatu project stating that the project helps Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka.

“The balancing reservoir at Mekedatu will help Tamil Nadu more than Karnataka. The water stored in the Mekedatu reservoir helps us release water in a timely manner to Tamil Nadu,” he said while speaking to media persons in Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday.

There are Kannadigas, Tamilians and Andhrites in Bengaluru and drinking water from the project will benefit all of them. I appeal to them to cooperate on this,” he said.

Shivakumar said: “There is nothing wrong in the DMK government convening all-party leaders meeting on the Cauvery issue. Like we held an all-party meet on Cauvery, Tamil Nadu too held an all-party meeting. They are entitled to do so and we don’t have an objection for it.”

At the same time, he urged Tamil Nadu to extend cooperation for implementing the Mekedatu project as it benefits them. They should cooperate.

The deputy Chief minister said: “Rains have picked up in the State from Monday and the inflow into Cauvery basin reservoirs has increased. We are releasing 20,000 cusecs from Harangi reservoir.”

“Rains have come to our rescue,” he said.

Asked if Karnataka would release water to Tamil Nadu if rains continue, he said: “Of course we will release water to Tamil Nadu. When water levels rise, we have to release water.”

To a question on JDS leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s statement that he did not want to attend the all-party meet just for “cashews, raisins and almonds” offered at the meeting, he said, “We did not call JDS party representatives to eat cashews, raisins and almonds at the meeting. If that was the case, why were the JDS representatives sent for the meet?”

“Kumaraswamy is a specialist in ‘hit and run’ comments. He doesn’t care about Karnataka, despite being elected from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, which is in the heart of the Cauvery basin,” Shivakumar said.

Haven’t done anything wrong

Replying to a question on Kumaraswamy launching a personal attack against him, he said, “It is sheer jealousy. He is used to it. I have challenged him to discuss all issues openly, but he is not ready. He did not even come to the session when we wanted to have a discussion with him in the last Assembly session.”

On the Supreme Court rejecting his application for quashing the CBI case, he said, “The case has been handed over to the Lokayukta and it is investigating the case now. I don’t understand why the CBI is trying to investigate something which is not in its jurisdiction. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I will present my case before them in a few days. They are torturing people who are working with us in the guise of investigation,” he added.