Stalin urges Tamil Nadu CM to hold all-party meeting on Mekedatu dam
DMK chief MK Stalin called for a united political response to protect the state's Cauvery water rights and farmers' livelihoods.
DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday urged Chief Minister S Joseph Vijay to convene an all-party meeting to discuss Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam project, according to reports from The Times of India, The Economic Times and The News Mill.
In a letter dated November 14, Stalin called for a united political stance to protect the state's water rights and the livelihoods of delta farmers. He described the Cauvery issue as a matter of "life and death" for Tamil Nadu.
The request follows remarks made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at a government function in Mysuru on Friday. Shivakumar, speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stated that no one could stop the construction of the proposed dam and that Karnataka would protect its right to build the Mekedatu balancing reservoir.
Stalin proposed that leaders of legislative parties in Tamil Nadu and all-party Members of Parliament (MPs) should jointly meet Prime Minister Modi. He suggested they submit resolutions from the proposed all-party meeting, along with the unanimous resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in June, to the Prime Minister.
Stalin also questioned reports of the Chief Minister visiting Karnataka for discussions. He reiterated that Tamil Nadu's position is to secure water rights through legal means rather than negotiations, warning, "Do not run into this disaster."
The Mekedatu project is a proposed balancing reservoir on the Cauvery river in Karnataka intended to meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs and generate hydroelectric power.