Mk Stalin: Mekedatu Dam row: Stalin seeks united Tamil Nadu stand, asks Vijay to call all-party meeting | India News
NEW DELHI: DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday urged chief minister Joseph Vijay to convene an all-party meeting to discuss Karnataka‘s proposed Mekedatu dam project, calling for a united political response to protect the state’s Cauvery water rights and the livelihood of its farmers.In a letter dated November 14, Stalin referred to Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar‘s recent remarks that no one could stop the construction of the proposed dam.Shivakumar made the statement at a government function in Mysuru on Friday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Sharing the letter on X, Stalin said Karnataka’s position on the project required a response from the Tamil Nadu government. He described the Cauvery issue as a matter of “life and death” for the state and urged Vijay’s government not to remain silent.“Beyond mere water sharing, Cauvery is historically and emotionally intertwined with the lives of Tamils. The entire livelihood of delta farmers depends upon it,” Stalin wrote.He said political parties in Karnataka were speaking in one voice on the Cauvery issue and argued that Tamil Nadu’s parties should also demonstrate unity. Stalin had previously called for an all-party meeting to discuss the state’s next steps, he said.“Given the situation where the Karnataka Chief Minister has once again begun speaking aggressively about building the Mekedatu dam, the Government of Tamil Nadu must no longer remain silent. Therefore, I request through this letter that an all-party meeting be convened to express our unity and opposition to the Karnataka chief minister’s statements,” he wrote.
Stalin proposes joint meeting with PM Modi
Stalin also proposed that leaders of legislative parties in Tamil Nadu and all-party MPs jointly meet Prime Minister Modi to present the state’s position.He said they should submit the resolutions adopted at the proposed all-party meeting, along with a unanimous resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly against the Mekedatu project in June, directly to the Prime Minister.“Regarding Cauvery rights, it is essential that we stand united, transcending personal likes and dislikes as well as party differences,” Stalin said.The DMK leader also questioned reports that Vijay was planning to visit Karnataka for discussions on the Cauvery issue. He reiterated that Tamil Nadu’s position had consistently been to secure its water rights through legal means rather than negotiations with Karnataka.Stalin said the state had previously warned against such a visit, quoting his earlier message to Vijay: “Do not run into this disaster.”He also cited Shivakumar’s remarks that it was the Tamil Nadu government which had sought talks, not Karnataka, and that the Tamil Nadu chief minister did not need to visit the neighbouring state under the present circumstances.
Shivakumar says Karnataka will protect its right to build dam
The latest exchange follows Shivakumar’s remarks on Friday, when he said Karnataka would protect its right to build the Mekedatu balancing reservoir and release 177 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water to Tamil Nadu as required by law.Shivakumar said the Supreme Court had already passed an order on the issue and that the next step was to secure the necessary clearances. He said he had sought forest and environmental approvals from the Centre.“Mekedatu issue – Supreme Court has given order. Now what we need is just one thing – all parties have agreed, let’s go together. For that, I am sending everything – forest clearance, environment clearance. I have asked for one forest clearance and one environment clearance,” he said.
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Shivakumar maintained that building the dam was Karnataka’s right and invited Tamil Nadu representatives to visit and understand how the project would benefit the state.“It is my state, my right. And they [Tamil Nadu] should also know; Tamil Nadu also should know. Let them come with the delegation; I will show them, I will explain to them how it helps them,” he said.He added that he had told the Centre he would bring an all-party delegation to press for the project and that the proposal had been accepted.The Mekedatu project envisages a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery river in Karnataka, primarily to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water needs and generate hydroelectric power. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed it, citing concerns over the availability of Cauvery water for downstream areas, particularly its agricultural delta districts.
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