Karnataka Unites on Cauvery Issue; All-Party Meet Backs State’s Stand, Urges No Bandh

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug. 2, 2026: Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday convened an all-party meeting to chalk out the State’s legal and political strategy on the ongoing Cauvery water-sharing dispute, stressing that the interests of Karnataka’s farmers and residents must take precedence over political differences.

Addressing the meeting, Shivakumar said Karnataka has a long tradition of setting aside politics to safeguard the State’s interests. He thanked leaders from across party lines and Members of Parliament for presenting Karnataka’s case before the Centre.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s foremost priority is ensuring drinking water availability while protecting farmers’ livelihoods. He said the State has stored sufficient water to meet drinking water requirements and is committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue.

Shivakumar said Karnataka has already challenged the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directive to release 9.9 tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu, arguing that the order was issued without considering the State’s distress conditions.

He noted that despite heavy inflows into the Kabini reservoir, surplus water cannot be stored indefinitely as the dam is overflowing. Water has also been released into the KRS and Kabini canals to safeguard standing crops and support farmers.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shivakumar said the government remains fully committed to protecting Karnataka’s interests in the Cauvery dispute. He added that the State has received only 30–35% of the expected rainfall and appealed to farmers to remain patient until further guidelines are issued.

Referring to the bandh call by Kannada organisations, the Chief Minister appealed to them to withdraw the protest, stating that the all-party meeting had unanimously endorsed the government’s approach.

The meeting was attended by former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah, B.S. Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Basavaraj Bommai, Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy, V. Somanna, Shobha Karandlaje, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, senior ministers, MPs, and leaders of the Opposition from both Houses.