The Congress government's long-awaited Karnataka Cabinet expansion has triggered fresh dissent within the party, even as Tamil Nadu moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to release its due share of Cauvery water.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday appealed to disgruntled Congress leaders to remain patient after the Cabinet expansion sparked protests, resignation threats and widespread disappointment among legislators who failed to secure ministerial berths.
Reacting to the growing dissent, Shivakumar acknowledged that many deserving and senior legislators could not be accommodated in the ministry and urged them not to lose hope.
"I am now heading to Lok Bhavan after sending the final list there. There are many deserving and senior leaders. I do not deny that. However, the party has to take decisions based on various considerations," Shivakumar told reporters.
Recalling his own political journey, he said he too had been overlooked for ministerial positions in the past.
"I was not inducted into the Cabinet in 2004. Even during former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's tenure, I remained out of the Cabinet for a long time. I remained patient, and it is because of that patience that I am in this position today," he said.
Appealing to disappointed legislators to exercise restraint, Shivakumar said the party would create opportunities for everyone in due course.
"I request everyone to remain patient. We will create opportunities for everyone in one way or another. I sincerely appeal to all our leaders to have patience," he added.
Despite the Chief Minister's appeal, discontent continued to surface from several parts of the state.
Six-time MLA Tanveer Sait, who was overlooked for a Cabinet berth, said he was deeply moved by the support extended by party workers.
"Ever since I was attacked, my party workers have stood firmly behind me. They have been offering prayers for me. They are my strength. I will decide after consulting my supporters," Sait said.
Five-time MLA Hampanagouda Badarli expressed disappointment over the lack of representation to Raichur district, while supporters of Govindarajanagar MLA Priya Krishna staged protests after he failed to secure a ministerial berth. Priya Krishna and his father, senior Congress MLA M. Krishnappa, were both in the race for a Cabinet position, but neither found a place in the expanded ministry.
The Cabinet expansion has also sparked resentment among legislators from Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Gadag and Vijayanagar districts, who alleged inadequate regional representation.
Bringing an end to months of political suspense, the Congress high command approved the induction of 20 legislators into the Karnataka Cabinet. While the party sought to balance experience and fresh faces, the inclusion of senior Congress leader B. Nagendra surprised many, with the Opposition expected to target the government over the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.
The leadership's last-minute changes to the list further fuelled resentment, with several disappointed legislators threatening to resign, supporters staging protests and one party worker allegedly consuming poison in protest. In a dramatic last-minute change, Mankal S. Vaidya was reportedly dropped from the final list and replaced by former minister S.S. Mallikarjun.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Karnataka to release 26.954 tmcft of Cauvery water, alleging that the neighbouring state has failed to comply with the directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
According to the petition, the CWRC, at its 139th meeting held on July 28, directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days, from July 29 to August 12, by regulating releases from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs. The CWMA endorsed the recommendation during its 54th emergency meeting on July 30.
Tamil Nadu, however, alleged that the quantity of water received at Biligundlu was far below its rightful share.
The state told the Supreme Court that Karnataka's four major Cauvery basin reservoirs together held 77.537 tmcft of water as of August 3, with a utilisable storage of 67.517 tmcft. It argued that, given the storage levels and heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs, Karnataka had sufficient water to release Tamil Nadu's due share.
According to the petition, Tamil Nadu is entitled to receive 26.954 tmcft of water under the prescribed sharing formula. It argued that the CWMA's direction to release 3,500 cusecs for 15 days would amount to only about 4.536 tmcft, which it described as grossly inadequate.
The state has urged the Supreme Court to direct Karnataka to immediately release the due quantity of 26.954 tmcft of Cauvery water and ensure compliance with the orders of the CWRC and the CWMA.
