Upper Bhadra water release acquires electoral overtones in Karnataka

Farmers and Congress leaders holding a meeting at Sira demanding release of water and early completion of the Tumakuru branch canal of the Upper Bhadra Project. | Photo Credit: special arrangement

With the ruling Congress releasing water from the Chitradurga branch canal of the Upper Bhadra Project (UBP) ahead of the Assembly bypoll in Hiriyur, farmers in Tumakuru district have stepped up their agitation, demanding that the government expedite the pending canal works and release water into the Tumakuru branch canal to fill tanks in the district.

Election to the South East Graduates’ Constituency scheduled on October 23, which covers Chitradurga and parts of Davangere, is also believed to have prompted the authorities to release water from the Bhadra reservoir into the Chitradurga branch canal.

Not yet announced

The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the schedule for the Hiriyur bypoll, necessitated by the death of former Minister D. Sudhakar. However, the decision to release water into the Chitradurga branch canal, on an experimental basis from September 6, has already triggered a political debate, with Opposition parties alleging that the move is aimed at influencing voters ahead of the election.