BENGALURU: Union minister of state for railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna on Saturday said Karnataka’s all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue would help determine the state’s next course of action, as he stressed that the state was facing a severe water shortage and that any decision must remain within the constitutional framework and comply with Supreme Court directions.Speaking to the media in Tumakuru, Somanna said Karnataka’s interests should be safeguarded while respecting the country’s federal structure.“The chief minister has called an all-party meeting tomorrow. As a minister in the Government of India, we believe in the federal structure and want everything to function accordingly. But when Karnataka itself is facing a water shortage, there is no point in releasing water to another state. Let us see what emerges from the meeting tomorrow, and then we will react,” he said.He said the Supreme Court would consider all legal and constitutional aspects of the dispute and that every stakeholder was required to follow its directions.“The Supreme Court is there to look at the pros and cons, hear appeals and monitor the advisory committee constituted by the Government of India. Whoever is involved has to function according to the Supreme Court’s directives. Babasaheb Ambedkar laid a strong constitutional foundation for the country, and we have to work within that framework,” Somanna said.Speaking about a recent meeting of Karnataka Members of Parliament convened by chief minister DK Shivakumar in New Delhi, Somanna described it as a positive initiative centred on the state’s development.“I attended the meeting called by DK Shivakumar. It was a very good initiative. The Government of India assists several departments, while sectors such as highways, railways and irrigation require separate coordination. The discussions were complementary to Karnataka’s development, and the chief minister also responded positively,” he said.Somanna also highlighted cooperation between the Centre and the Karnataka government, saying the discussions were aimed at advancing the state’s development and contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.“We want all states to develop under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Karnataka must develop if India is to become a developed nation by 2047,” he said.He added that while the Opposition had the right to raise issues concerning the state, development should remain the priority.“It is the duty of the Opposition to protest while asserting the state’s rights. Prime Minister Modi has a clear vision for development. In my 50 years in politics, I have not seen development of this scale by the Government of India,” he added.Commenting on the bandh call by veteran Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, Somanna acknowledged his commitment but urged that public convenience should not be affected.“Vatal Nagaraj is a very senior leader. At the age of 90, his passion to fight deserves appreciation. But he should decide what is in the state’s best interest after considering all aspects. I do not want common people to be inconvenienced,” he said.
