Karnataka CM meets Krishna over Cauvery issue

New Delhi, Oct 8:

Chief Minister

today met Union Minister

here today amid demands by Karnataka leaders for a review of

River Authority's decision asking the state to release 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.

The interaction assumes significance as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has convened a meeting of political leaders from the state for consultations on the contentious water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu today.

External Affairs Minister Krishna hails from Cauvery River basin district of Mandya. Seeking review of the PM-Chaired body's decision, BJP MPs from the state will also meet Singh separately at his office, sources said.

The consultations come ahead of the Cauvery monitoring committee meeting slated on Oct 11. The monitoring panel will decide release of water from Karnataka after Oct 15.

The Cauvery River Authority had last month directed Karnataka to release 9,000 cusecs of water to its neighbouring state on a daily basis between Sept 20 and Oct 15.

Protests over release of water to Tamil Nadu rocked the Cauvery river basin areas for the eighth day yesterday as Karnataka hoped for a "positive response" from the Supreme Court on its plea for reconsideration of the Sept 28 order.

PTI