BJP holds march to Tungabhadra dam demanding water release for irrigation

Former Minister B. Sriramulu driving a motorcycle with MLA for Gangavati G. Janardhan Reddy riding pillion during a BJP-led motorcycle rally on Friday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Demanding immediate release of water from the Tungabhadra reservoir to the left bank canal, BJP leaders and farmers staged a protest outside the Tungabhadra Command Area Development Authority (CADA) office at Munirabad in Koppal district on Friday. The police detained several protesters before releasing them later.The agitation began with a special prayer at Anjanadri Hills, following which the protesters took out a motorcycle rally up to Hitnal toll plaza. MLA for Gangavati G. Janardhan Reddy and former Minister B. Sriramulu drew attention by travelling on the same motorcycle.From Hitnal, the protesters marched on foot to the CADA office at Munirabad, raising slogans against the State government and demanding that irrigation water be released immediately to canals to save standing crops.Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sriramulu said farmers were facing severe distress despite adequate water being available in the Tungabhadra reservoir. He alleged that successive governments had supplied water to canals, but the present government had failed to do so even though storage levels were sufficient.“Farmers are not seeking water for themselves but to grow food for the country. Crops are drying up before our eyes and people are being forced to migrate,” he said, blaming the government for its alleged failure to replace damaged reservoir gates in time and accusing it of neglecting farmers’ interests.Mr. Reddy described the agitation as a symbolic warning and urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to order the immediate release of water. He claimed that around 35 tmcft of water was available in the reservoir and inflows were continuing. Alleging that the government was misleading farmers on the water issue, he warned that if the demands were ignored, a larger agitation involving farmers from four districts would follow.After the public meeting, protesters attempted to march towards and gherao the CADA office. Officials informed the delegation that water could not be released under the present storage conditions, leading to a heated exchange. As BJP leaders and farmers tried to enter the office premises, the police stopped them, resulting in pushing and jostling. Several leaders and protesters were taken into preventive custody and later released.The police action triggered further protests as women supporters sat in front of police vehicles demanding the release of the detained leaders. One woman reportedly fell ill during the commotion. Published - July 31, 2026 08:03 pm IST