States » SouthPosted at: Nov 14 2026 8:09PM


Karnataka CM’s remark on Mekedatu in PM presence turns Cauvery row on the boil in TN, Stalin urges Vijay to convene All-Party meet

By MC Rajan
Chennai, Nov 14 (UNI) Keeping Chief Minister Jospeh Vijay a prisoner of the past in the Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka, principal opposition DMK president MK Stalin on Saturday demanded that an all-party meet be convened to assert Tamil Nadu’s legitimate rights over the river and to debunk Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s claim that the Supreme Court has given the nod for the construction of the new Mekedatu dam on the inter-state border.
A day after Shivakumar made the claim in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an official event, Stalin dashed off a letter to Vijay urging him to convene an all-party meet to protect the livelihood of farmers in the Cauvery Delta, the rice bowl of the state.
Finding fault with Vijay’s unsuccessful attempt in August this year to enter into a dialogue with his Karnataka counterpart to explore a solution to the vexed issue, Stalin said “Past experiences have proved beyond doubt that talks with Karnatka would be futile. For, Tamil Nadu’s stand has all along been securing justice through a legal fight. But you stepped on a reckless path to hold dialogue. However, following protests the Karnataka Chief Minister asked you not to come and told the media that it was Tamil Nadu which has sought to hold talks. This was not palatable for the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Despite passing a resolution in the Assembly strongly opposing the proposed Mekedatu dam by Karnataka and sending it to a tribunal, as suggested by the DMK, Vijay has ducked the demand to convene an all-party meet. Now, besides reiterating the demand, Stalin has called upon Vijay to lead a delegation to the Prime Minister to submit the decision taken at the all-party meet and the assembly resolution passed earlier to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with the dam. He said Cauvery, the only perennial river flowing through the state is not merely water but is historically and emotionally intertwined with the Tamils besides being the livelihood source of Delta farmers.
Tamil Nadu is justifiably apprehensive that construction of a reservoir by the neighbouring state, on the pretext of providing drinking water for Bengaluru, would adversely affect downstream water flow since Karnataka seldom respects the directives of the Cauvery River Water Management Authority of that of the Supreme Court to release the monthly quantum of water to Tamil Nadu, including on pro-rata basis during deficit months.
The Congress in Tamil Nadu has taken strong exception to Shivakumar’s remark. TNCC president Manickam Tagore, in a statement recalled the final award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal and verdicts of the apex court making it clear that any construction across the inter-state river should get the concurrence of the lower riparian states.
“Shivakumar making the statement that the Supreme Court had given its nod for the Mekedatu dam, in the presence of the Prime Minister and seeking the union Government’s clearances, indicates that the union BJP-led government is betraying the interests of Tamil Nadu,” he charged.
Leaders of various opposition parties including those part of the Vijay Cabinet and those extending support to his government, has strongly opposed DKS' remarks, triggering yet another round of legal confrontation on the vexatious issue, keeping the political pot boiling.
UNI MCR-GV 2000
Tags: #Karnataka CM’s remark on Mekedatu in PM presence turns Cauvery row on the boil in TN# Stalin urges Vijay to convene All-Party meet
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