All parties in Karnataka should unite to seek State’s rightful share of water from Godavari basin: Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister Deve Gowda urges Karnataka's political parties to unite for rightful share of Godavari water, emphasizing irrigation importance.

Predicting an acute scarcity of drinking water in Karnataka in the coming days, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Saturday said all the three major political parties in the State have to fight to secure the State’s rightful share of 25 tmcft water from the Godavari basin as part of Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery interlinking project.

Speaking to presspersons here, the former Prime Minister said there should be no politics involved in this issue, and that he had no hesitation in joining Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Congress MPs in this fight. “When it comes to Karnataka’s interests, I will not back off from it. All three political parties should set aside their differences and work.”

He pointed out that Mr. Siddaramaiah visited his residence to discuss the Cauvery issue when the two were not even on talking terms. “I hold no grudges and politics must not interfere in irrigation issues. Before I pass away, I want to see the injustice done to the State in irrigation rectified. I may live for another four years, and during that time I will fight to resolve this issue. I will bring everyone for this battle,” he said.

Mr. Gowda said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister over the issue and sought clarification as to where the Godavari water will be linked. Though it has been said that Karnataka will receive 15.91 tmcft, the actual share should be 25 tmcft, he said. “I have asked in Parliament as to how 15.91 tmcft from the Godavari will be diverted to the Ghataprabha. How is this feasible? Where exactly will Godavari river be linked to the Cauvery? The project details are unclear and Karnataka deserves information on this. I will write to the Prime Minister.” Karnataka, which has faced injustice in the Cauvery issue and the Kalasa-Banduri project, is facing the same in the Godavari-Cauvery linking project, he said.

He said: “When I raised the linking of the Godavari-Cauvery rivers, Tamil Nadu MPs supported it. Karnataka has been wronged in the allocation of Cauvery waters, and I have brought it to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Someone has assured us that Karnataka will receive water. Water must reach the parched regions of Chitradurga and Tumakuru.”

The former Prime Minister also said he had written to the Centre to approve the Upper Bhadra Project and had also fought for the Kalasa-Banduri project. “The Karnataka Chief Minister has written to the Prime Minister regarding Kalasa-Banduri but since the matter is in the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister cannot make any decision. I fully support the State government’s efforts.” On Upper Bhadra, Mr. Gowda said the State government must first release its share of funds. “It has announced multiple irrigation projects but has failed to allocate funds. Let them take the first step,” he said.