The Supreme Court on Monday will take up Karnataka government's petition to halt further release of Cauvery water to the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
The state was issued a Supreme Court directive on Sept 28 to release 9000 cusecs of water on a daily basis to Tamil Nadu until Oct 15, keeping in line with the order of the prime-minister-led Cauvery River Authority committee.
The court's order to permit the flow of water has led to aggression across Karnataka, with activists and many people holding protests demanding the reconsideration of the decision.
In view of the growing water-sharing agitation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to hold talks with leaders of Karnataka on Monday in New Delhi over the growing water dispute. He is likely to meet External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, Power Minister Veerappa Moily and BJP leader Ananth Kumar and Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal for the discussions, Press Trust of India reported.
Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Sunday expressed a very optimistic approach towards the Supreme Court's decision.
"I am optimistic of a good (favorable) verdict (for Karnataka)", Shettar told reporters.
It was suggested that the court may unlikely reverse its decision if strong reasons are not provided.
"The chances of the Supreme Court modifying its earlier order of releasing 9000 cusecs of water during tomorrow (Monday)'s hearing is very slim. The court will need some strong basis for modifying its order. The apex court in all likelihood may ask the state government to go before the CRA as the Supreme Court to release 9000 cusecs was based on the CRA's decision," former state advocate general Ashok Harnahalli told DNA.
