Political leaders in Tamil Nadu have criticised D K Shivakumar’s renewed call for the Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery. DMK president M K Stalin has written to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay seeking an all-party meeting.
Shivakumar spoke on Friday at an event in Mysuru attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the Supreme Court had allowed Karnataka to build the dam and that nobody could stop the project.
Stalin seeks all-party meeting
In his letter on Saturday, Stalin said Shivakumar’s remarks had caused concern among Tamil Nadu farmers. He described the Cauvery issue as more than a water-sharing dispute, saying it is tied to the history and sentiments of the Tamil people.
He asked the state government to convene an all-party meeting to show unity against Karnataka’s stand. He also urged it to arrange for copies of the Assembly resolutions opposing the dam to be submitted to the Prime Minister. Stalin called on parties to set aside differences to protect Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery waters, and asked the Chief Minister not to stay silent.
Other reactions
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore said the statement could affect cordial relations between the states. He condemned the Prime Minister’s silence on the stage and said Modi should not allow injustice to Tamil Nadu. Tagore said Tamil Nadu, as a lower riparian state, has not consented to the dam, and that Karnataka cannot build it without that consent. He urged Vijay to take legal steps to stop the project. He also said the Centre should not help the dam in any way, and warned that it would harm delta farmers.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the Supreme Court’s verdict did not permit Karnataka to build a dam. He asked the state government to press the Centre and to speed up the case already pending in the Supreme Court.
BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran said his party continues to oppose the project. The VCK, in a resolution adopted on Friday, urged the state government to take up the issue with the Centre and prevent Karnataka from proceeding without Tamil Nadu’s consent.
DMK leader T R B Rajaa asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to clarify whether the party would protect Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery rights or support the Karnataka government’s project.
