Mandya: The BJP, along with several farmer organisations, intensified its agitation against the state govt by staging a protest near the KRS dam in Srirangapatna taluk on Friday, accusing the Congress govt of failing to safeguard the state’s interests in the Cauvery water dispute.Thousands of farmers and BJP workers from Mandya, Mysuru, Hassan, Ramanagara and neighbouring districts participated in the demonstration.As senior BJP leaders, led by former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, state BJP president BY Vijayendra and leader of opposition R Ashoka, attempted to march towards the dam, police personnel deployed in large numbers stopped them and took the leaders into preventive custody. They were later released.Mandya superintendent of police VJ Shobharani and Mysuru superintendent of police Mallikarjun Baladandi supervised the security arrangements.Addressing the gathering, Yediyurappa alleged that the Congress govt had failed to take a firm stand on the Cauvery issue and was more focused on political developments than on addressing farmers’ concerns. He said that if the govt was truly committed to Karnataka’s interests, the chief minister should categorically declare that not a single drop of water would be released to Tamil Nadu, even if it meant resigning from office.Yediyurappa also urged the govt to invite all stakeholders, including representatives from Tamil Nadu, to inspect the actual condition of the Cauvery basin in Karnataka. He warned that declining reservoir levels could trigger a severe drinking water crisis in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya and other Cauvery basin districts if rainfall remained deficient.Ashoka accused chief minister DK Shivakumar of acting in favour of Tamil Nadu instead of protecting Karnataka’s interests. He criticised the govt’s decision to convene an all-party meeting after releasing water, arguing that consultations should have been held before any such decision was taken. He also alleged that the govt had failed to effectively present Karnataka’s case before the Cauvery Water Management Authority.Vijayendra alleged that Shivakumar had adopted an anti-farmer approach and neglected the Cauvery issue after assuming office. Recalling Shivakumar’s earlier padayatra demanding implementation of the Mekedatu project, Vijayendra said those commitments had been forgotten after coming to power. He also claimed that nearly 3 tmcft of water had been released to Tamil Nadu during May and June.
