Bengaluru, Oct 14 — The Janata Dal (Secular) on Wednesday accused the Karnataka government of prioritising political interests over the welfare of farmers by allegedly releasing Krishna River water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs in North Karnataka to Telangana when farmers in the state, particularly in North Karnataka, are grappling with drought and drinking water shortages.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the JD-S questioned whether the government was giving greater importance to the political interests of the Congress leadership in neighbouring states while farmers in Karnataka were suffering due to the drought.
“Is the political agenda of the high command in a neighbouring state more important to the government? When farmers in the state are reeling under drought, and people in North Karnataka are struggling even for drinking water, is secretly releasing Krishna water from the Almatti and Narayanpur reservoirs to Telangana not an unforgivable betrayal?” the party asked.
The JDS alleged that the interests of Karnataka's farmers were being sacrificed on the verbal instructions of the Chief Minister.
The party further accused the Congress government of allegedly diverting the state's water resources to benefit neighbouring states governed by the Congress, referring to the Mekedatu project on the Cauvery and the alleged release of Krishna water to Telangana.
“Karnataka's taxpayers, Karnataka's resources and Karnataka's water, but the benefits go only to states that have political alliances with the Congress party,” the JD-S said.
The party also criticised the government for allegedly providing water to neighbouring states while failing to adequately compensate farmers in Karnataka for their crop losses.
Condemning what it described as an anti-farmer approach, the JD-S demanded that the government immediately stop releasing water to Telangana and give priority to the drinking water needs of people and the irrigation requirements of farmers in North Karnataka.
The party warned that farmers could take to the streets and teach the government a lesson if it failed to address their concerns.
The allegations come amid concerns over drought conditions and the availability of water for agricultural and drinking purposes in parts of Karnataka.