Mysuru, July 13: Senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition leader R. Ashok warned on Monday that if the Karnataka government does not release water for standing crops in the Cauvery basin within the next three days, the BJP will lay siege to the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) reservoir.
Ashok visited drought-affected sugarcane fields in Malavalli and nearby villages in Mandya district, speaking with farmers and assessing the damage caused by the lack of irrigation water. Later, addressing reporters, he accused the Karnataka government of being preoccupied with cabinet expansion while ignoring the farmers’ plight.
He urged the state government to convene an all-party meeting immediately regarding the Cauvery water-sharing issue and to declare drought in the affected areas.
According to Ashok, Karnataka should formulate a united strategy to protect the interests of its farmers, especially as the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu is legally asserting its claims. He stated that the government should prioritize discussions on the drought situation and the Cauvery issue over political matters. He reiterated that if water is not released from KRS within three days, the BJP will take action to ensure water for farmers.
Ashok argued that the government should release water at least once to save the standing sugarcane crop, recalling that in previous years, water was released even when the water level in KRS was around 86 feet.
He emphasized that while new crops may not receive water, it is crucial to save existing crops. Additionally, he mentioned that farmers whose crops have been damaged should receive compensation. He stressed the need to declare a drought to facilitate relief measures, such as subsidies for fodder and drinking water.
The BJP leader also criticized the state leadership, alleging that ministers and ruling party legislators are more focused on securing ministerial positions than addressing farmers’ issues. He called for discussions to extend beyond just Congress members and urged the government to consult all political party legislators before making any decisions regarding the Cauvery issue.
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SCN
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