Come out with clear stand on Cauvery verdict, Cong tells Govt

Bangalore, Feb 20 (UNI) Congress leaders from the Cauvery basin district of Mandya today demanded that the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government in Karnataka come out with its stand on the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, which had led to widespread protests and agitations in the State.

Speaking to newspersons here, district Congress President Chandrashekar said the Government did not give the clear stand and was showing ''escapist attitude'' by saying that it would abide by the decision of the all-party meeting to be held later this week.

''JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda, who was in the forefront in earlier agitations on the water sharing issue, is now keeping silent.

It is his duty to take a stand against the final report, which had rendered grave injustice to the farmers of the State,'' he said.

The party would hold a rally in Mandya, the hotbed of Cauvery agitation, on February 23. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M H Ambareesh, who recently resigned the post and his membership from Parliament, would be leading the rally. All organisations, taking part in the ongoing agitation, have been requested to take active part in it, he said.

UNI