Its Congress versus Congress. Tensions erupted in Karnataka over the proposed Mekedatu dam project with the state moving in favour while Tamil Nadu opposing it. Karnataka CM DK Shivkumar on Saturday hit back at Tamil Nadu Congress president Manickam Tagore over his criticism of the proposed Mekedatu Dam, asserting that Karnataka has the right to build the project and that he was least bothered bypolitical opposition from Tamil Nadu.
Interacting with the media he condemned Tagore’ s post on X saying, “No one can stop the construction of a dam at Mekedatu. Let anyone condemn; I am least bothered. It is my state, my right. Let them come with a delegation; I will show them and explain to them how it helps. I don’t mind; it is politics there. If Congress doesn’t condemn, DMK will condemn. If DMK doesn’t condemn, AIADMK will condemn. Then everyone may condemn. Everyone has to accept the law of this country. Supreme Court has very clearly said that they have right to 177 TMC of water. It is our duty to protect their right. It is our right to build the dam and give them water…”
The TN state Congress president Manickam Tagore earlier in the day, criticised Karnataka CM over his remarks on the Cauvery water in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Mysuru.
Taking to X he wrote, “It is deeply condemnable that Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mysuru, said, ‘No one can stop the construction of a dam at Mekedatu’, and that the central government must give its final approval for it.
“The Karnataka Chief Minister continues to adopt a stubborn stance, blatantly violating the Supreme Court ruling and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award. This statement, which goes against the principle of federalism and seeks to destroy the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s farmers, is utterly unacceptable,” Tagore further wrote attaching the video of the event.
DK Shivkumar on Friday urged the Centre to expedite statutory clearances for the proposed Mekedatu project.
Tagore argued that Karnataka, as an upper-riparian state, could not independently undertake a project affecting the water rights of downstream Tamil Nadu. Opposing Shivkumar’ appeal he urged the Centre not to grant approval without the consent of the lower-riparian states.
The Tamil Nadu government continues to strongly oppose the project citing concerns over water sharing, while Shivkumar maintains Karnataka will proceed with its preparation to submit a revised detailed project report.