In a landmark verdict that casts a long shadow on southern politics, Tamil Nadu's share of water from the river Cauvery has been reduced by the Supreme Court and Karnataka will receive a bigger share. Karnataka will now release 177.25 TMC or thousand million cubic feet to Tamil Nadu instead of 192. Karnataka's increased share takes care of the drinking water problems of its capital Bengaluru. The verdict today comes just months before the Karnataka elections and has been claimed by the ruling Congress as a big win. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was congratulated in the assembly by party men.