Farmers matter more than politics: Shivakumar at all-party meet on Cauvery issue

At an all-party meeting on the Cauvery dispute, DK Shivakumar lauded what he described as the tendency of Karnataka's people to set aside political differences in order to protect the state's interests.

In Short

• People of Karnataka set aside politics for state interests: Shivakumar
• He says that interests of people, farmers more important than politics
• The CM made the remarks during an all-party meeting on Cauvery row

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday said that the people of the state have a history of setting aside political differences and standing united to protect its interests.

The remarks were made at the all-party meeting convened to chalk out the state's legal and political strategy on the long-running Cauvery water-sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu, in the wake of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's (CWRC's) direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily for 15 days.

"We have all grown up with the Cauvery dispute as an integral part of our lives," he said. "The interests of the state's farmers and people are more important than politics," CM Shivakumar remarked.

He added, "On issues concerning the state's welfare, all political parties have come together." The CM further stated, "Our stand has always been that drinking water should receive the highest priority. I know all of you fully agree with this position."

- Ends