K'taka MPs extend support to Cauvery agitation

Bangalore, Feb 15 (UNI) Members of Parliament from Karnataka today extended full support to the farmers of Cauvery basin districts, agitating against the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

The MPs, at a meeting convened by Mr G Made Gowda, President of Cauvery Hitarakshana Samithi, spearheading the two-week-old agitation mainly in the districts of Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar apart from the city, said the peaceful agitation should continue till the State got justice. All the members were unanimous in rejecting the final verdict, stating that it had done ''grave injustice'' to the interests of Karnataka farmers.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said the State Government would solidly back the MPs in their fight against the ''injustice''. ''The Government will abide by the decisions taken in this meeting and support the course of action our MPs wants to take. It will proceed further as per your aspirations. We are doing the ground work at present and your advice will be valuable,'' he said, suggesting that the MPs could again meet after the all-party meeting scheduled for February 22.

BJP General Secretary H N Ananth Kumar said the State Government could adopt a resolution and the MPs were ready to unitedly fight both inside and outside Parliament. ''We are all united. We would decide on our strategy before Parliament session beginning on February 23.'' The options the State could consider were filing a review petition before the Tribunal or urging the Prime Minister to call for a meeting of the Cauvery Regulatory Authority, he said, adding that the agitation should continue till justice was done.

Former Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party State President S Bangarappa asked that when all the four riparian States were in favour of filing a review petition, where was the sanctity to the final verdict. Instead of resigning their seats, it was important that the MPs continue to fight to safeguard the State's interests.

Mr Made Gowda called upon the people of the State to stay united in fighting against the final verdict and remain calm and continue with peaceful agitation.

UNI