Karnataka decides to meet PM on Cauvery issue

Bangalore, Apr 26 :The all party meeting convened by the coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy today decided to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 'pressurise' him not to constitute another committee to resolve the Cauvery River water dispute.

Speaking to newsmen here after the meeting, Water Resources Minister K S Eswarappa and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Basavaraj S Horatti said the meeting discussed in detail about the recent judgment directing the constitution of an Experts Committee.

It was unanimously agreed to oppose constitution of any committee as it would delay the verdict of the tribunal set up for the purpose, it was felt.

The leaders felt that the tribunal could deliver its verdict based on arguments and counter arguments put forth by riparian states for 16 years, they added.

The Ministers said that the Lawyers representing the State would be given full freedom to prepare future course of action. However, it would be decided only after the May Five.

All the four riparian States had opposed formation of any committee further, they pointed out.

They said Chief Minister would decide the date for taking all party delegation to New Delhi to meet the Prime Minister. The delegation was also expected to bring to the notice of the Prime Minister about the Kalasa Banduri canal in the State for which the Goa had objected despite the clearance given by the Centre.

The meeting was attended, among others, by opposition leaders in the legislature N Dharam Singh and H K Patil, Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Party leader Vatal Nagaraj and Janata Dal (United) leader B Somasekhar.

UNI