Notwithstanding Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar’s assurance, the Maharashtra government seems unlikely to release water from the Koyna reservoir to parched areas of north Karnataka without the consent of leaders of all political parties. According to official sources, the government of neighbouring state would not be in a position to pay heed to the suggestions of Mr Pawar on release of water as it faces stiff opposition from political parties and the
Maharashtra Border Area Advisory Committee headed by N D Patil on the issue. For, several top leaders who attended a meeting of this committee in Mumbai recently urged the government not to release water to Karnataka till the alleged atrocities on Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka are checked. The government seems reluctant to open the crest gates without a consensus as it would help the Opposition BJP and Shiv Sena gain political mileage.