Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, without revealing the details of his conversation, revealed that he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning and discussed the Cauvery issue with him.
Speaking to reporters during Gandhi Jayanthi and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti celebrations at the Janata Dal (Secular) office, Mr Gowda said that Modi had called him and discussed the Cauvery issue.
However, Gowda refused to divulge any details about the talks. “I have faith in both Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Let us see what decision the three political parties take during the special legislature session on Monday,”' Mr Gowda said.
Lauding the contributions of Gandhi and Shastri to the nation, Gowda said politicians should practice what they preach. The two departed leaders did the same and did not leave behind anything for their children, he recalled.
Karnataka, a victim not a villain, says Siddaramaiah
Expressing his displeasure over the turn of events in the Cauvery row, CM Siddaramaiah said that despite respecting the Supreme Court order and letting water flow to Tamil Nadu earlier, Karnataka is being portrayed as a villain.
Speaking at Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations here, he said whatever water was left in the reservoirs was for drinking purpose. Despite trying to convince the SC about the facts, “they had not understood our plight,” he said.
At the moment, TN does not need water but Karnataka is facing an acute shortage due to 45% deficit rain. Instead of the regular 257 tmcft of water, only 129 tmcft has reached the catchment area, he said.
For the last one and a half months, the Cauvery row is being discussed in national and international forums. Karnataka is being portrayed in bad light on the ground that “We are not releasing water to TN and not complying with the SC order, ” he said.
