Will stand by Karnataka govt, says SM Krishna

Bengaluru: Former chief minister, S.M. Krishna has come out in the open saying he will support any decision taken by the state legislature on Friday to protect the interests of Karnataka on the Cauvery water issue. Mr Krishna made his stand public when Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah called on him on Thursday.

Mr Krishna categorically said the verdict of the Apex Court to release 6,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu dialy till September 27, should be defied. He said it was apporpriate for the Legislature to adopt a resolution to defy the order and the same resolution should be forwarded to the Union government. "Burying political differences, we have to stand by the state government at this juncture," Mr Krishna said.

Suggesting that the government extend the deadline set for farmers to pay the interest on farm loans taken by them, Mr Krishna said "When I was the chief minister, we paid compensation to farmers who lost their crops. This time, I think the government should extend the deadline set for payment of interest on farm loans by six months."

The veteran Congress leader  categorically said the government should not release water to Tamil Nadu. "Allocate more funds to expedite the pending projects in the Cauvery basin. Withdraw cases filed against farmers and try to help farmers with compensation," Mr Krishna said adding that Centre should not shirk  its responsibility of helping the state. He also suggested that the Karnataka government should write a letter to the Supreme Court chief justice explaining the factual position.