DMK President M. Karunanidhi on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to spell out its next course of action after the apex court ordered Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery river.
In a statement issued in Chennai, the former Chief Minister wondered whether the Tamil Nadu government would convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue and also take an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The DMK leader said the release of 15,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu over the next 10 days is insufficient for the crops in his state.
Meanwhile, strong protests have erupted in parts of southern Karnataka mainly concentrated in a handful of districts and the state capital Bengaluru.
Kannada groups and farmers’ organizations are staging protests in several parts of Karnataka against the Supreme Court’s direction asking Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs to Tamil Nadu.
A state-wide bandh has been called in Karnataka for September 9.
Karunanidhi's statement comes in the wake of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's media comments on calling an all-party meeting after the apex court order.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the Karnataka government for allegedly not releasing the water despite the Supreme Court order, and said Siddaramaiah is indulging in "delaying tactics".
Ramadoss said the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority was a permanent solution to the problem.
He urged the central and state governments to ensure the safety of Tamils living in Karnataka.