Bengaluru: The JD(S) has decided to toe the line set by its party supremo Mr H.D. Deve Gowda during the all-party meeting convened on Thursday when he had suggested that the government defy the Supreme Court order on release of water to TN. Sources said that the party had decided to back the government's one-line resolution, against releasing of water to Tamil Nadu.
However, the party has also decided to attack the NDA government at the Centre and BJP MPs and Ministers from the State, who did not come to the rescue of Karnataka. Even Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's role would be discussed threadbare during the debate, sources said.
The party has also decided to criticise the judgement in detail and how the courts have overstepped their limits while dealing with the case. Besides, even the Cauvery Tribunal order would be attacked, said sources.
The major contentions would be how the Tribunal had allowed three crops for Tamil Nadu, while restricting Karnataka to only one crop. While denying drinking water to Bengaluru city, the Tribunal had set aside 24 tmc ft water for Tamil Nadu's future projects, sources said.
However, the party is yet to take a final decision on whether to rake up the issue of top court judge Mr Uday U Lalith, being a former counsel of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms J Jayalalithaa in the disproportionate assets case, said sources. A decision would be taken after Mr Kumaraswamy holds talks with Mr Deve Gowda on Thursday night.
Nervous BJP: First boycott, then full turnaround on water row
The BJP which boycotted the all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue, has decided to support the resolution against release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in both Houses of the legislature.
Speaking to the Deccan Chronicle, Opposition leader in the Legislative Assembly, Jagadish Shettar said BJP legislators would participate in the session and urge the state government not to release a drop of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu as Karnataka was facing a distress situation.
“We have too stick on our stand on not releasing water to Tamil Nadu, as this is an emergency and we cannot simply agree with the wrong order of the court. While putting forth our views, we will also raise the legal issues arising from the court order and the implications of not complying with it,” he said.
The opposition leader revealed the state unit of the party had consulted legal experts in Delhi and Bengaluru about the consequences of defying the court order and whether it would amount to contempt.
“They were also consulted on the legal sustainability of the resolution against the court order and the Constitutional validity of the resolution of both Houses of the legislature. Also, they were asked whether it could lead to confrontation between the legislature and judiciary, and if so, what should be the role of the opposition,” he added.
