Tamil Nadu Congress leaders criticise Karnataka CM over Mekedatu dam project
Manickam Tagore accused Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar of violating Supreme Court rulings regarding the proposed Cauvery river reservoir.
Internal friction has emerged within the Congress party following Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's call for the Mekedatu dam project. Speaking in Mysuru in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivakumar stated that the Supreme Court had allowed Karnataka to build the dam and that no one could stop the project.
According to The New Indian Express, Tamil Nadu Congress president Manickam Tagore criticised the Karnataka Chief Minister, stating his remarks could affect cordial relations between the two states. Tagore alleged that Shivakumar's stance violates Supreme Court rulings and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's award, which could destroy the livelihoods of farmers in Tamil Nadu.
Tagore, whose party is an ally of the TVK, said that as a lower riparian state, Tamil Nadu's consent is required for the construction. He urged the Prime Minister not to betray Tamil Nadu and called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to take legal steps to prevent the reservoir.
Other political leaders in Tamil Nadu have also voiced opposition. DMK president M K Stalin urged Vijay to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the matter with the Prime Minister. MDMK general secretary Vaiko stated that the 2018 Supreme Court verdict did not give Karnataka permission to build the dam.
The proposed reservoir in Ramanagara district aims to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and generate 400 MW of power. While Karnataka maintains that Tamil Nadu's water share will remain safe, the VCK has urged the government to initiate steps to prevent the project from proceeding without consent.