Chennai, June 19:
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday unanimously passed a strong resolution opposing the proposed Mekedatu dam project by Karnataka, reaffirming the state’s firm and united stand on protecting its Cauvery water rights.
The resolution was taken up on the second day of the Assembly session, where Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay moved a special government motion against the project. The proposal sparked an extensive debate, with members across party lines expressing concern over the potential impact of the dam on Tamil Nadu’s water share and farmers.
Participating in the discussion, legislators from various political parties voiced their opposition to the Mekedatu project, stressing that any move to construct a dam upstream without Tamil Nadu’s consent would be unacceptable. Despite differences on other political matters, parties displayed rare unity on the Cauvery issue.
Replying to the debate, the Chief Minister reiterated that Tamil Nadu will never accept the construction of the Mekedatu dam under any circumstances. He stated that the project directly threatens the livelihood of lakhs of farmers, particularly in the Cauvery delta region, who depend on timely water release for irrigation.
Vijay pointed out that the proposed project violates existing legal frameworks, including the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and subsequent Supreme Court rulings. He emphasised that no new project in the Cauvery basin can proceed without the consent of all co-basin states, accusing Karnataka of attempting to move forward unilaterally.
The Chief Minister also warned that the proposed reservoir near the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border could restrict the natural flow of water into the state, severely affecting agricultural activities. He assured the House that Tamil Nadu would pursue all possible legal and political avenues to block the project and has already urged the Union Government to reject Karnataka’s Detailed Project Report.
Importantly, the final resolution incorporated a key demand raised by Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, calling for the constitution of a new Cauvery tribunal to address emerging disputes. This addition further strengthened the resolution, reflecting consensus across the political spectrum.
The resolution was passed unanimously with the support of all parties in the Assembly. Notably, while BJP MLAs did not participate in the discussion, there was no opposition to the motion, allowing it to be adopted with full backing.
The development marks a significant political moment, as Tamil Nadu presented a united front against Karnataka’s Mekedatu project, sending a clear message that the state will firmly resist any move perceived to undermine its water rights and farmers’ welfare.