Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says even his corpse will not join BJP

Mysuru: Calling JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy's statement funny, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said even his corpse will not join the BJP.

"Even my corpse will not join the BJP," he told reporters here when he was asked to comment on Kumaraswamy's statement.

Kumaraswamy had stated that Siddaramaiah once wanted to join the BJP, and had met its national leaders in this context.

Siddaramaiah said, in his entire political career, he has been against communal forces and hence Kumarasway's statement is funny.

On Cauvery issue, Siddaramaiah said the only solution for this imbroglio is to commission the Mekedatu project, but the central government has not given permission for it.

Tamil Nadu has no reasons to oppose the Mekedatu project as it is situated in Karnataka, he said.

Siddaramaiah accused Tamil Nadu of needlessly creating nuisance regarding the Mekedatu project and flayed the central government for not giving its nod to the Detailed Project Report.

"The central government has to direct the Cauvery Water Management Authority to grant permission, but it is not acting on it," he said.

Siddaramaiah was responding to BJP's accusation of the Congress government in Karnataka releasing Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu despite scarcity of water in the state due to deficit rainfall this year.

On September 12, Karnataka will make submissions before the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

Tamil Nadu has moved the apex court with a plea to direct Karnataka to release 24,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for standing crops. (UNI)