Updated on: 31 Jul 2026
MANDYA: The police on Friday detained several prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders near the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam in Mandya as they staged a protest against the order to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. The protest came to an end after police took into custody top leaders—including BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, MLC C.T. Ravi, and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa—who attempted to lay siege to the KRS Dam.
The protest, which began at 12:00 PM under the leadership of BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra, saw active participation from key leaders including R. Ashoka, C.T. Ravi, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and B.S. Yediyurappa.
Addressing the media, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) C.T. Ravi criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, stating, “Mr. Chief Minister, you are not Tamil Nadu’s waterman; you are the Chief Minister of Karnataka. We are protesting to remind you of that fact. The Chief Minister advises farmers not to sow crops, but why didn’t you make arrangements to fill the lakes and ponds? An all-party meeting should have been convened 15 days ago. Unfortunately, instead of safeguarding the interests of the state’s farmers, you went and sat in Delhi. You have completely forgotten the interests of Karnataka’s farmers, and we condemn this.”
BJP State President B.Y. Vijayendra recalled D.K. Shivakumar’s past actions, stating that while in Opposition, Shivakumar had organized the Mekedatu padayatra, but upon assuming power as Chief Minister, he had forgotten the farmers. “The government should have woken up in April or May when the Union Government issued a drought warning. Instead, they were engaged in power struggles over political seats. D.K. Shivakumar has visited Delhi ten times since becoming Chief Minister, standing outside the residences of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi to discuss Cabinet formation. However, he has not spoken to the Cauvery region farmers or visited Delhi for their protection,” Vijayendra said. He likened the current call for an all-party meeting to “locking the fort gates after the village has been looted,” adding, “You released 3.5 TMC of water last month even before Tamil Nadu asked for it. Did you not remember the all-party meeting then? You are now shedding crocodile tears.”
Vijayendra further alleged that water was released merely to appease the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. “The Wodeyars pledged their personal jewelry to build the Kannambadi (KRS) Dam, but this government has released water simply to save the Chief Minister’s seat. You haven’t called an all-party meeting for the survival of Cauvery farmers, but to safeguard your power. If you have the strength, state clearly that you will not release water even if you lose your position,” he challenged.
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa expressed grave concern, stating that the state’s interest is not a priority for the Chief Minister. “If he were honest, he should have asserted that he wouldn’t release water and offered to resign instead. Instead, they are waiting at Rahul Gandhi’s doorstep for power. Chief Minister, bring the Tamil Nadu CM here to see the situation. In the coming days, there will be a severe shortage of drinking water. You are merely playing political games; had you approached the court on time, this crisis would not have arisen. Shame on those engaging in such political drama,” Yediyurappa remarked.
He concluded by pointing out that Cabinet expansion appears to be the government’s primary focus rather than the welfare of the people. “We will stand firmly in support of the farmers. Not a single drop of water should be released to Tamil Nadu. If the Chief Minister were sincere, he would have approached the Supreme Court and secured a stay order. Constructing the Mekedatu balancing reservoir would resolve all these issues, and the state government must build it as soon as possible. If it does not rain in the coming days, a severe drinking water crisis is imminent,” Yediyurappa warned.
