India, Feb. 17 -- Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday welcomed former prime minister HD Deve Gowda's recent appeal for a united front to secure Karnataka's water rights. However, he raised concerns over his past silence on key irrigation issues and alleged alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government.

Responding to Gowda's remarks about an impending drinking water crisis and the need for collective action, Siddaramaiah said he welcomed the former PM's statement, but found his current stance contradictory. He said, "I have always stood for Karnataka's rights, beyond political affiliations. But where was this unity when critical water projects for the state were delayed?"

Gowda had called upon all major parties...