Cauvery issue: Siddaramaiah convenes meeting at New Delhi on Friday

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has convened a meeting of MPs from the state at New Delhi on March 16, in the backdrop of Supreme Court directing the Union Government to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), to monitor release of water from river Cauvery.

According to CM office sources on Thursday, Mr Siddaramaiah will urge upon the MPs to bring pressure on the Centre not to constitute the CMB, as it would allegedly take away the state's control on the river.

The move comes in the wake of Opposition parties pressuring him to prevail upon the Centre not to constitute the Board and also appeal to the apex court, to reconsider its direction.

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) National President H D Devegowda, commenting on the Supreme Court verdict and direction, had strongly opposed setting up of any separate Board, as it will deny the state its right on the River and directing release of 14 tmc extra was not a victory, as the state was eligible for 45 tmc.

Moreover, since the state government's review petition against the Cauvery Water Tribunal is still pending for disposal, direction for setting up a separate board is not correct and the state government should take a firm stand against it.

The state government is also in consultation with Legal Advisers on the direction and meanwhile the Chief Minister has convened a meeting of MPs in Karnataka Bhavan at 6pm on.

Mr Siddaramaiah will be leaving for New Delhi on March 15 to discuss with party High Command and senior leaders, about the decisions of KPCC Selection Committee meeting, held in the city to finalise the list for the election to the Legislative Assembly, due in May.

Meanwhile, the Centre had recently held a meeting of Chief Secretaries of riparian states at New Delhi on the issue, following direction by the apex court to form the Board within six weeks.

Read more at http://www.uniindia.com/cauvery-row-siddaramaiah-convenes-meeting-at-new-delhi-on-friday/states/news/1168593.html#SC1oxok6mAuvVirI.99