Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Opposition Attacks Karnataka Government Over Cauvery Water Release
A water authority has told Karnataka to send water to Tamil Nadu.
The order says Karnataka should release 6,000 cusecs every day for 15 days.
Opposition leaders R. Ashoka and Basavaraj Bommai say this could hurt Karnataka.
They say the state already has less water because rainfall has been poor.
They are especially worried about drinking water and farmers.
Ashoka says the government did not argue strongly enough against Tamil Nadu’s request.
Both leaders want Karnataka to ask the Supreme Court to stop the order.
They also disagree slightly on how much water Karnataka would release overall, estimating about 7.5 or 7.77 TMC.
The Cauvery Water Management Authority directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka called the decision a setback and accused the Karnataka government of failing to protect the state’s interests.
Ashoka said Karnataka should have firmly opposed Tamil Nadu’s demand for 20,000 cusecs daily and challenged the order in the Supreme Court.
Former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai also criticised the government and urged it to appoint a senior special counsel.
The leaders cited water shortages, inadequate rainfall and declining reservoir storage while disputing whether the release would total about 7.5 or 7.77 TMC.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, the Cauvery Water Management Authority, Tamil Nadu, R. Ashoka and Basavaraj Bommai.
- What
- The authority directed Karnataka to release 6,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
- When
- The directive and criticism were reported on Wednesday.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; the criticism was reported from Bengaluru.
- Why
- The authority issued the water-release direction, while Karnataka opposition leaders say the state’s reservoirs and water supplies are under pressure.
- Authority
- Cauvery Water Management Authority
- Daily release ordered
- 6,000 cusecs
- Release period
- 15 days
- Tamil Nadu’s stated demand
- 20,000 cusecs per day
- Estimated total water
- Ashoka cited about 7.77 TMC; Bommai cited nearly 7.5 TMC
- Karnataka reservoirs mentioned
- Kabini and KRS
- Requested legal action
- An immediate Supreme Court challenge seeking a stay