Vijay, Udhayanidhi Clash Over Mekedatu Dam
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay defends government’s stand as Opposition questions refusal to hold all-party meeting.
- Cauvery dispute triggers heated exchange in Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- Udhayanidhi Stalin questions government’s efforts to stop Mekedatu dam.
- Vijay says Tamil Nadu will do whatever it takes to protect farmers.
- CM defends dialogue with Karnataka despite political criticism.
GG News Bureau
Chennai, 7th Aug: The Cauvery water dispute sparked a heated exchange in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Friday as Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin clashed over Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam project.
Questioning the state government’s approach, Udhayanidhi accused the Vijay government of not doing enough to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with the project.
“The government must clarify in the Assembly what steps have been taken to stop Karnataka from going ahead with the Mekedatu dam,” he said.
Responding to the charge, Vijay said the Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing the project and that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveying Tamil Nadu’s objections.
“We will do whatever it takes to safeguard the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers,” Vijay said.
The Chief Minister also targeted the DMK, claiming that its government in 1969 had first allowed the Karnataka project.
Udhayanidhi questioned why the TVK government was unwilling to convene an all-party meeting, pointing out that political parties in Karnataka had presented a united front on the Cauvery issue.
“Karnataka convened an all-party meet. For their rights, they have united as a single team,” he said, asking why Tamil Nadu could not demonstrate similar unity.
The Opposition leader also questioned reports about Vijay’s proposed visit to Bengaluru for talks with the Karnataka government.
Defending the idea of dialogue, Vijay said there was nothing wrong with attempting to resolve the dispute through discussions.
“When hostile countries are trying to solve issues through talks, I thought of having talks with our neighbouring state,” Vijay said. He added that he was prepared to face even “humiliation” if it served the interests of Tamil Nadu’s people.
According to reports, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had asked Vijay to defer a proposed Bengaluru visit amid heightened tensions over Cauvery water sharing, while offering to host him for a visit to the drought-hit Cauvery basin later.
The proposed Mekedatu reservoir remains a longstanding point of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka says the project would provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate around 400 MW of electricity without affecting Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water.
Tamil Nadu, however, continues to oppose the project over concerns about its implications for downstream water availability.
Last month, Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Modi opposing the project and questioned why the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Central Water Commission were considering Karnataka’s proposal despite Tamil Nadu’s objections.
