Taking exception to the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee's (CWRC) order to release 3,000 cusec of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu till October 15, former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has said that the order is a “death sentence” for the state. He also claimed that the Congress state government had lost the trust of the people, particularly the farmers.

In a short statement Yediyurappa said, “The CWRC’s order is a death sentence for Karnataka. If the state government releases water to Tamil Nadu again, it is as if Karnataka's self-respect is threatened. Such a situation has arisen today due to the state government's negligence regarding Cauvery water.”

He further added, “Having already released too much water to Tamil Nadu amid drought, the state government has lost the confidence of the people, especially the farmers. It is not right that the state government is testing the patience of the people.”

Earlier, on September 26, amidst a Bengaluru bandh observed by farmers, pro-Kannada organisations, and Opposition party members opposing the release of Cauvery water, the CWRC recommended that Karnataka release 3,000 cusecs of water daily for 15 days. The committee said the water should be released at Biligundlu at 8 am on September 28 and continue until October 15. The decision was reached at a meeting with officials from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, September 26.

Meanwhile, Mahesh, the Managing Director of the Cauvery Water Board has said that the order will be questioned before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), before whom it will likely come up on Wednesday, September 27.

With inputs from IANS