Cauvery dispute; welcome if Centre intervenes: Karna govt    

Bengaluru, Sep 10 (PTI) Karnataka government todaywelcomed the reported statement of Union Minister Uma Bhartiabout intervening in the Cauvery river water dispute, ifnecessary, but demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modiinitiate the process to solve the long-pending issue. "If she has given the gesture that she will intervene (toresolve the vexed Cauvery dispute), we welcome it. It (step)will be towards solving the problem," Karnataka Law Minister TB Jayachandra told reporters here. His response was to a question about reports quoting UmaBharti as saying that the Centre would intervene in theCauvery matter if necessary. Asked about Tamil Nadu not even looking at a compromisesolution, he said "Let’s suppose it is initiated by the PrimeMinister. We are in the first stage, let the Prime Ministerinitiate that…. then let us see the response of Tamil Nadu." Jayachandra also appealed to the BJP MPs from the stateto take up the issue with the Prime Minister. To a question that the consistent demand for the PrimeMinister’s intervention was politicising the issue further, herecalled that the PM had earlier on one occasion intervened onSupreme Court advice. It has to be done now also to solve thevexed issue, which needs to be resolved through anout-of-court settlement, he said. "When the Supreme Court advised the then Prime Ministerto intervene, it happened then. Now to resolve this, these areall to be settled out of court," he said. "However, whether they are coming (intervening) or notagain is the question. Injustice has been done to the statefrom Britishers’ period. It is a long-pending and almost 200year old dispute," Jayachandra said. Asked about changing Fali Nariman as the state’s counsel,he said he wouldn’t like to react as the matter was coming upfor final hearing on October 16 before the Court. "I don’t want to react to that because the matter iscoming up for the final hearing on October 16. The SupremeCourt has specifically said it will be listed on that day. Solet us hope for the best," he said. (MORE) PTI BDN RA APRRG