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States » SouthPosted at: Jun 2 2025 8:02PM


DK Shivakumar, BJP's Ashoka in verbal clash over Almatti, Mekedatu irrigation projects

Bengaluru, June 2 (UNI) The debate over Karnataka's major irrigation projects — Almatti and Mekedatu — has erupted into a political tug-of-war, with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and BJP leader and LoP R Ashoka daring each other to take delegations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Shivakumar, defending Karnataka’s legal right to raise the Almatti Dam’s Full Reservoir Level (FRL) to 524.256 metres, came out swinging against Maharashtra's sudden objections, calling it "a politically motivated move by a BJP-ruled state to derail a settled issue". He accused the BJP of interfering through backchannels despite the tribunal’s award and previous consent from Maharashtra.
"Central officials have privately admitted our case is strong. But now, a BJP Chief Minister from Maharashtra writes a letter citing flood fears, despite having agreed to the same elevation in 2010 and 2013. Is this politics or federalism?" Shivakumar questioned, vowing to lead a united front of Karnataka MPs to Delhi.
"Let all 28 Lok Sabha MPs, including BJP MPs, and Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka go to the Prime Minister. We’ll show them the letters, the award, the tribunal’s findings. We want justice — not conflict. But we will not surrender our legal rights," he declared.
Not to be outdone, BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka hit back hard, accusing the Congress of grandstanding without allocating a single rupee for Almatti or Mekedatu in the state budget.
Turning Shivakumar’s pitch on its head, Ashoka challenged: "You talk about going to the Prime Minister. But first, tell us — how much have you allocated for these projects? Nothing. Zero."
Ashoka then upped the ante, throwing down a dare of his own: "If Congress is serious about Mekedatu, we are ready to march to Stalin’s doorstep in Chennai. Are you ready, Mr Shivakumar? Will you stand with us in front of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s house and demand Karnataka’s share of the Cauvery?"
He accused the Congress government of "deceiving the people" by not funding irrigation while misusing taxpayers’ money for political gains. "Rs 7–8 crore is being spent on Congress party workers even as the promised Rs 2,000 guarantee to BPL families remains unpaid for months," Ashoka alleged.
As both leaders jostle to take the lead in confronting the Centre and neighbouring states, the irrigation battle has become a showcase of political brinkmanship.
With Karnataka’s irrigation and agrarian interests at stake, the high-decibel clash signals that the state's water wars are no longer just about dams and reservoirs — they have become a test of political muscle, public trust, and regional assertion.
UNI BDN RN
Tags: #DK Shivakumar# BJP's Ashoka in verbal clash over Almatti# Mekedatu irrigation projects
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