New Delhi [India], July 30 : Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday announced an all-party meeting on August 2 on the Cauvery River water issue.
Shivakumar said that former Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs from the Cauvery basin area have been invited to the meeting.
He said that an appeal has been filed before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) after the panel directed Karnataka to release 3500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days.
The Chief Minister further said that the issue had been discussed with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and MPs Somanna, Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, adding that they were making every possible effort in the interest of the state.
Shivakumar refused to react to DMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss' suggestion that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay should approach the Delhi government instead of Karnataka Congress leaders.
"We do not want to fight with each other. There is the law of the land. We must respect each other. The entire country should work together," he said.
The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has recommended that Karnataka release 3500 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu for the next 15 days. The committee has also recommended releasing a total of 4 TMC of water.
Earlier on Wednesday, CM Shivakumar said, "Regarding the irrigation matter, yesterday they issued an order saying that a little water should be released. We don't know about that yet. They had rejected their request twice earlier. So, I have discussed with our ministers, including Minister MB Patil, and all the officials about filing an appeal against it. We are appealing against it. After that, we will make a decision. Once that is done, after I go to Bengaluru, I will also speak with the opposition party leaders."
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water issue.
DK Shivakumar also hit back at BJP MP BS Yediyurappa over his remarks on the Cabinet expansion.
Speaking to reporters, CM Shivakumar said, "Did Yediyurappa also not run the government without forming a cabinet? Did father and son not enjoy power then?
Meetings are underway in the Congress camp for the cabinet expansion, ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Assembly.