Former CM Yediyurappa attacks Congress govt on Cauvery issue
Says Cong understanding with ally DMK led to 'today's situation'
Bengaluru (PTI): Accusing the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government of "failure" on the Cauvery issue after the Supreme Court today refused to interfere in orders to release water to Tamil Nadu, former chief ministers B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday urged it to file a review petition before the apex court.
The BJP leaders' attack on the state government came after the Supreme Court today refused to interfere with orders of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), directing Karnataka to release 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu.
Karnataka has been maintaining that it is not in a position to release water, taking into account its own need for drinking water and irrigation for standing crops in the Cauvery basin areas, as there has been water scarcity due to deficit monsoon rains.
"Based on the statistics we (Karnataka) provide, the Supreme Court gives its order. Law and Water Resources departments have completely failed in putting forward the argument effectively. Looking at today's SC order, it proves that the government had gone to the court without doing proper homework, and has failed to provide proper records," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters following the SC order, he said the state government has to speak to Tamil Nadu, where Congress's ally DMK is in power, instead of "unnecessarily" trying to pull the central government into the issue.
"I urge the chief minister to file an appeal before the Supreme Court, bringing the factual ground situation to its notice. Let the Supreme Court send a team and assess the water levels in the reservoirs here, and on the basis of that whatever order they give we are ready to abide by it. The state government should appeal for this," he added.
Noting that the government has committed mistakes one after the other since the Cauvery issue flared up this year, Yediyurappa said that water was released to Tamil Nadu even before the SC order on it.
"I feel that their (Cong govt) understanding (political) with DMK has led to today's situation...whatever has to happen has happened. As SC has also said that it will not interfere with CWMA order, we will be in a fix, because there will be scarcity for drinking water," he said, as he also appealed to people to maintain peace.
The CWMA on Monday asked Karnataka to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days, after the CWRC made such a recommendation last week.
Alleging the state government failed to understand the importance of the Cauvery issue and neglected it, Bommai said the government should have been cautious as soon as the pre-monsoon failed, but instead they started acting only after the CWMA order came.
Noting that filing a review petition before the SC and ensuring that the quantum of water release is reduced is the only way now, he said the BJP doesn't want to do politics on the Cauvery issue, but it is a fact that the government has failed on it.
Asking the government to take into account the drinking water needs of the entire Cauvery basin districts, and also the standing crops there while making its argument, Bommai, who had earlier served as water resources minister, urged the administration to give Rs 25,000 per acre compensation to farmers for crop damage due to lack of water for irrigation, after a survey.
On the state's Congress government demanding the central government's intervention on the issue, he asked, "When the case is in SC, can any government interfere and do anything?
"They know everything, but to divert the attention they are making such statements."
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
