Chennai: The Tamilnadu Assembly today adopted a Special resolution condemning the Karnataka government’s unilateral decision to construct a new dam at Mekedatu across River Cauvery in violation of the Supreme Court and without the consent of the Centre and lower riparian States including TN.
The resolution, moved by Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan, was adopted by voice vote unanimously with the support of all parties, including the main Opposition AIADMK.
It also urged the Centre not to accord any sanction to Karnataka for constructing the new dam.
Speaking on the resolution, Chief Minister M K Stalinsaid the ruling DMK will take all legal steps to thwart Karnataka’s bid to construct the dam.
Thanking the leaders of all parties for unitedly supporting the resolution, he said the state government will stall all efforts of the neighbouring statue on constructing the dam and protect the state’s rights on the Cauvery river issue and that of farmers.
The Chief Minister said ‘if we stay united in protecting the Tamilnadu’s rights on the issue, we will win’.
He also said the State government will express its Opposition to the Centre on the Mekedatu issue.
Earlier, moving the resolution, Duraiumurugan said ‘though the State boasts of several rivers, we are forced to stretch out our hands for water on the Cauvery issue’.
Recalling that the DMK had expressed its support to similar resolutions brought by the AIADMK when it was in power and the latter supporting the former, the Minister appealed to the parties to sink their differences and stay united on the issue.
He accused Karnataka of acting against the principles of federalism by not adhering to the orders of the Supreme Court, which had ordered Karnataka to release water.
Expressing concern that the issue might drag on for future generations, he said ‘if we allow Karnataka to construct the Mekedatu dam, the future generation will not pardon us’.
While stressing the need for cordial relations with neighbouring States, Duraimurugan said however, Tamil Nadu’s right cannot be compromised.
Alleging that the Centre was according step-motherly treatment to Tamilnadu, the Minister said, ‘This House expresses its strongest condemnation to Karnataka’s move to construct the dam and urged the Centre not to accord any permission for Karnataka on the issue’.
Leaders of various parties, including leader of the Opposition and AIADMK coordinator Edappadi K Palaniswami spoke on the issue and strongly condemned Karnataka for its move to construct the dam. After the Chief Minister spoke on the resolution, it was out to voice vote and Speaker M Appavu announced that it was adopted unanimously.