TTV criticises DMK govt over Karnataka Mekedatu dam move

T. T. V. Dhinakaran on Friday criticised the Tamil Nadu government over Karnataka’s announcement regarding the proposed Mekedatu dam across the Cauvery River, alleging that the development reflected the DMK government’s “inefficiency” in safeguarding the State’s interests. In a statement, the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary said the Karnataka government had described the Supreme Court of India’s dismissal of petitions filed by Tamil Nadu against the Mekedatu project as a “victory.” He added that Karnataka had also indicated that a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the dam would be prepared soon. Dhinakaran said the move was unacceptable, pointing out that both the Supreme Court and the Cauvery Water Management Authority had repeatedly clarified that no project affecting the irrigation interests of downstream states dependent on Cauvery water should be undertaken without due process. He also noted that the announcement had come just two days after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Indian National Congress reaffirmed their alliance in Tamil Nadu. According to Dhinakaran, the Karnataka government’s position had raised doubts among farmers about whether the DMK government was compromising Tamil Nadu’s rights for the sake of its political alliance. He urged Chief Minister M. K. Stalin to take immediate legal steps to safeguard the State’s rights and prevent the implementation of the Mekedatu project.