From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 16: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has warmly welcomed the offer of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda to lead an all-party fight against the injustice meted out to Karnataka in respect of irrigation issues.

Siddaramaiah, who had parted company with Deve Gowda’s JD(S) to join Congress party and became Chief Minister twice under the Congress party, said he and his Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, known to be staunch opponents of JD(S), would “wholeheartedly support Gowda’s fight on Krishna and Cauvery irrigation issues as also on river linking aspects in the interest of the State.”

In a press statement, the chief minister urged Deve Gowda to extend his full cooperation and support for completing all the pending irrigation projects in the State along with taking up new projects. “I and Shivakumar as also the people of entire Karnataka would rally round Deve Gowda’s fight forgetting party differences,” he said.

Siddaramaiah said he and the people of the State always expect the JD(S) supremo to raise his voice not only on irrigation issues but also against the injustice to the state on devolution of funds and grant of funds by the Centre. “The NDA government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is treating Karnataka as an enemy State in the devolution of funds or in respect of drinking water and railway projects, which need to be opposed,” he said.

The chief minister said the former prime minister was mentally sound and strong even though he appeared to be physically weak at his age of 92. But, Siddaramaiah, said the JD(S) leader should lead as a true Kannadiga and leader of the people of the entire State instead of appearing to be a leader of BJP and as a “cheerleader” of Prime Minister Modi.

“I have always remained a Kannadiga in matters of water, land and language to espouse the interests of the State and not a political leader belonging to a political party,” he said made it clear that he expects Deve Gowda to “rise above party considerations or political ideology in fighting for the cause of the State,” he said.

Siddaramaiah reminded that he had personally visited the residence of the JD(S) supremo when the Supreme Court had directed the state to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in September in a period of 10 days and had invited him personally to attend an all-party meeting on the issue.

He noted that people have "observed" the former prime minister acting as a spokesperson for the Modi government and the BJP on state-related issues. This has led many to question whether Deve Gowda is positioning himself as an NDA supporter and Modi's cheerleader to secure a Union ministerial post for his son, H D Kumaraswamy.

Siddaramaiah urged Deve Gowda to fight for Karnataka on the Mahadayi project issue, secure clearance for the Mekedatu project and also the Banduri Nala project. The JD(S) leader should fight for Central grants to the Upper Bhadra project and also for the drinking water needs of Bengaluru city.