BJP to extend cooperation in ensuring Bengaluru bandh is successful tomorrow: Yediyurappa

PTI, Sep 25, 2023, 8:30 PM IST

BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Monday said his party would extend cooperation in ensuring that the Bengaluru bandh called by various organisations protesting against the release of Cauvery water is successful.

He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar of behaving like agents of Tamil Nadu for complying with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Water Regulation Committee, which the Supreme Court refused to interfere with.

The former chief minister said BJP’s new alliance partner JD(S) too will support the bandh and take part in the protest organised by the party on September 27.

‘Karnataka Jala Samrakshana Samiti’, an umbrella outfit of farmers’ associations and other organisations led by farmer leader Kuruburu Shanthakumar had given the call for the Bengaluru shutdown on Tuesday.

”On the Cauvery water dispute, we have had detailed discussions and come to a certain decision. The Bengaluru bandh should be successful without any confusion tomorrow. I appeal to hotel and shop owners and organisations to shut their establishments tomorrow, without giving any different statements — for the sake of maintaining peace and order and in support of Bengaluru’s cause,” Yediyurappa said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that in case any one by opening shops and hotels tries to create any confusion, they will be responsible for hindrance that will be caused to law and order. ”So without heeding to anyone, give full cooperation to bandh.” ”Our party workers will try to ensure that the bandh is successful and peaceful. I appeal to everyone to cooperate in the success of the bandh,” he added.

On September 27, the BJP has organised a satyagraha protest in front of Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha, Yediyurappa said, adding that all the party MLAs, MLCs and MPs will sit in protest and highlight the issues of the people to put pressure on the government. In the days to come, the party will decide on intensifying the protest if the government continues to release water to Tamil Nadu, he said.

Yediyurappa subsequently also spoke to JD(S) leadership and said they have agreed to give full cooperation to the Bengaluru bandh and to join BJP’s Satyagraha protest in front of the Gandhi statue on September 27. Noting that the Cauvery issue is coming up before the Supreme Court tomorrow, Yediyurappa said it is the failure of this Congress government, as water was released to Tamil Nadu even before the Supreme Court’s decision came. ”Despite drinking water issues and power shortage, the government’s behaviour reflects its failure.” KRS, Hemavathi, Harangi and Kabini — the four main reservoirs in Cauvery basin contain only 59.58 tmc water, he pointed out and said, ”This situation has come because the chief minister and deputy chief minister, showing their irresponsibility, have released water even before the Supreme Court’s directions. It is unpardonable.” Despite BJP MPs highlighting the failure of the Congress leadership at the MPs’ meeting they are continuing with the same mistakes, he said. ”I condemn their behaviour — functioning like Tamil Nadu’s agents. I urge them to stop releasing water and save it for the people of the state.” The Supreme Court on September 21 refused to interfere with the order of the CWMA which endorsed the directions of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee CWRC to the Karnataka government to release 5,000 cusecs (cubic foot per second) of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from September 13.

Karnataka has been maintaining that it is not in a position to release water, taking into account its own need for drinking water and irrigation for standing crops in the Cauvery basin areas, as there has been water scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.