Mekedatu: EPS hits out at DMK government

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday strongly criticised the DMK government over the recent Supreme Court decision that rejected Tamil Nadu’s petition against Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam project. He accused the ruling DMK leadership of failing the people of Tamil Nadu by not mounting a robust defense to safeguard the State’s rightful share of Cauvery river water.Palaniswami highlighted the fears and uncertainty prevailing among farmers in the Cauvery Delta region, calling the Cauvery “the lifeline of Tamil Nadu.” He stressed that the river supports the livelihoods of lakhs of farmers and provides drinking water to more than twenty districts in the State. Any diversion or obstruction in the river’s flow, he warned, would endanger Tamil Nadu’s interests. Criticising Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the DMK government, Palaniswami said they failed to present strong and compelling arguments before the Supreme Court, which led to the unfavourable outcome. He recalled the 28th meeting of the Cauvery Water Management Authority held in Delhi on February 1, 2024, where Karnataka tried to bring up the Mekedatu project proposal. Palaniswami accused the DMK of remaining silent on this critical issue.Further, he alleged that the DMK leadership acted in favour of Karnataka due to political and business interests, undermining Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery waters. Palaniswami called on the State government to immediately take all necessary legal and administrative steps to restore Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water, stating firmly that farmers “cannot afford any further betrayal.” @@@@