Ananth Kumar denies criticising Karnataka

BANGALORE: Union Urban Development Minister Ananth Kumar on Tuesday denied that Union Water Resources Minister Arjun Charan Sethi had advocated action against Karnataka for not releasing water to Tamil Nadu.
Sethi had been reported as saying the non-release of water by Karnataka was ``unconstitutional and warranted action.''''
Kumar told reporters here that he had spoken to Sethi on Monday night and the latter had denied making the statement.``He also told me that he would send a clarification on the matter.''''
Union Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh who declined to comment on Sethi''s remarks as the matter was pending before the Supreme Court, said: ``It would be unwise on my part to give comments. But the chief ministers of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are under political pressure. Ultimately, both of them will have to sit together and resolve the issue.''''
On the BJP MPs boycotting the meeting convened by Chief Minister S.M. Krishna on Tuesday, Ananth Kumar said: ``We are in constant touch with the CM on the issue. We have extended all support to the CM. We are with the problems of the state government.''''
At the MPs'' meeting, it is learnt, former CM S. Bangarappa took serious exception to Sethi''s statements. ``The remarks are beyond the line of accepted approach. Ministers at the Centre should be non-partisan, which is a basic matter in a federal system,'''' he reportedly said.
KPCC president Allum Veerabhadrappa said Sethi had ``no business'''' making those comments.