Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar's all-party meeting on the Cauvery dispute secured cross-party backing for the state's stand, and he urged pro-Kannada groups to withdraw a planned August 13 bandh, while confirming CM Vijay's Bengaluru visit remains postponed.
Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar chaired an all-party meeting in Bengaluru on Sunday to chart the state's legal and political strategy on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, bringing together leaders across party lines including Congress, BJP and JD-S, former Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and Basavaraj Bommai, and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Shivakumar described it as a historic gathering, saying all party leaders had assured support for the state government's approach and offered valuable suggestions he would take into account. He said Karnataka would take a final decision on releasing water to Tamil Nadu only after consulting legal experts and stakeholders, while reiterating that the government remained committed to protecting the interests of the state's farmers and people.
Shivakumar noted that recent rainfall had improved reservoir inflows to around 67,378 cusecs, helping ease the pressure that originally prompted the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee's order directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs daily — a total of 4 TMC over 15 days, against Karnataka's original request to limit it to about 9 TMC. Citing the improved rainfall and the cross-party unity shown at the meeting, he urged pro-Kannada organisations to withdraw their call for a state-wide bandh planned for August 13, saying such a protest would serve no purpose. He added that Karnataka needs to reserve roughly 36 TMC for drinking water needs across the Cauvery basin, including Bengaluru, plus a further 4 TMC for evaporation and contingencies.
Shivakumar confirmed that CM Vijay had agreed to defer his planned Bengaluru visit at Karnataka's request, describing the gesture as one that would help preserve a cordial atmosphere between the two states once talks eventually resume. Separately, he noted Karnataka had secured a legal outcome in the Supreme Court relating to the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, and that former CM Bommai had suggested the long-pending project could offer a more lasting solution to the recurring dispute — a proposal Tamil Nadu has consistently and firmly opposed.
Cauvery Dispute Karnataka D.K. Shivakumar CM Vijay August 2, 2026