CM DK Shivakumar calls all-party meeting on Aug 2 over Cauvery water dispute

NEW DELHI: 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 Ministers Pralhad Joshi and V Somanna, and MPs Jagadish Shettar and Basavaraj Bommai, adding that they were making every possible effort in the interest of the state.

#WATCH | Delhi: Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar says, “… I have called an all-party meeting on Sunday on the Cauvery issue, and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is coming. We wholeheartedly want to discuss working out in the best interest of both states… I also conveyed that let… pic.twitter.com/kObCdIVB3j

— ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2026

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. Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water issue.

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.”

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 under way in the Congress camp for the cabinet expansion, ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Assembly. (ANI)