Kumaraswamy slams CM's consent on river linking
Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday strongly objected to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's decision to give concurrence for a river linking project, stating that it was done without securing confirmation on the quantum of water Karnataka would receive from the initiative. He termed the move the biggest injustice to Kannadigas.
Details of the objection
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy said, 'Giving concurrence to the project without getting confirmation about the amount of water Karnataka is getting from the project is the biggest injustice caused to Kannadigas.' He demanded that the state government immediately revoke its consent and renegotiate the terms to safeguard Karnataka's interests.
Background of the project
The river linking project, part of a larger interlinking of rivers program, aims to transfer water from surplus basins to deficit regions. Karnataka has been in discussions with neighbouring states over the sharing of water from the project. However, the exact allocation for Karnataka has not been finalized, leading to concerns among opposition leaders.
Political implications
The issue has taken a political turn, with Kumaraswamy accusing the Congress government of acting against the state's interests. He urged the CM to prioritize Karnataka's water security and not succumb to pressure from other states. The Congress government, however, has defended its decision, stating that the consent is a preliminary step and that detailed negotiations will follow.
According to sources, the project is expected to benefit multiple states in the region, but the lack of clarity on Karnataka's share has sparked controversy. Kumaraswamy warned that any agreement without assured water rights would be detrimental to the state's farmers and future generations.
