MYSURU: With the agitation of farmers and Kannada activists against the release of water to Tamil Nadu and demanding release of water to irrigation channels gaining momentum, JD(S) has seized the issue to shore up its fortunes in the Cauvery basin.JD(S) is in the forefront of the Mahadayi agitation with the Congress and BJP going on the defensive. The party has now extended its strategy to Southern Karnataka providing a leadership to the stir.The stir is highly emotional as the farming community, which has been worst hit due to the consecutive drought for the past three years, is unhappy with the government for releasing around 10,000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu.
The state government maintains that it released water to save face and the legal battle is on, and the final verdict will be out any time.Officials say Karnataka’s gesture will give its counsel an edge to defend its case before the apex court.But, farmers are in no mood to go by the government’s version, and the opening of crest gates much before the reservoirs are full, irked both people and the farming community.
As the Harangi reservoir is full and crest gates were opened discharging 5,000 cusecs of water to KRS, JD(S) MLAs from KR Nagar and Mysuru district took out a padayatra and were on an indefinite stir for four days demanding water to irrigation canals.
Former chief minister and JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy joined the stir, attacking the government for being more concerned about Tamil Nadu’s interest rather then bailing out farmers of Karnataka. He has also set a one-week deadline to discharge water to irrigation canals, warning that he will bring farmers to the streets if his demands are not met.
Mandya MP C S Puttaraju announced a massive protest on July 31, demanding water to tanks and irrigation canals. The JD(S) has chalked out an intensive stir if the irrigation officials do not fall in line and release water to irrigation canals.