Chennai: Opposition leaders in Tamil Nadu have sharply criticised the DMK government for what they described as weak arguments in the Supreme Court, which recently allowed the Karnataka government to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery River. The decision has sparked a wave of protest, as the Cauvery River is crucial to Tamil Nadu, providing irrigation for the state's delta region and drinking water for 20 districts.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami expressed his shock and disappointment at the ruling. In a post on social media platform X, Palaniswami said, "The Cauvery is the lifeline of Tamil Nadu, and this decision will have severe implications on the livelihood of our farmers." He accused the DMK government of failing to present a strong case in the Supreme Court, which allowed Karnataka to move forward with its project. “The DMK’s inaction and its prioritisation of political interests in Karnataka have led to this setback,” Palaniswami said, urging the state government to take immediate legal and diplomatic action to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s rights.
BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran also condemned the ruling, labelling it a “shocking” decision that could have serious consequences for Tamil Nadu’s farmers. In his statement on X, Nagenthran criticised the DMK for "relinquishing the state's rights" in the ongoing inter-state water dispute, suggesting that the government's weak approach and "secret alliance" with the Congress government in Karnataka had contributed to the unfavourable outcome. "Tamil Nadu will never forgive the DMK for this," he added. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss joined the criticism, accusing the DMK government of failing to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests by not presenting adequate arguments before the court. In a press statement, Ramadoss expressed frustration over the DMK's handling of the case, which he said would have long-term negative consequences for the state's agricultural community.
The opposition's criticism highlights the deep political divisions over the handling of the Mekedatu issue, with both the AIADMK and BJP blaming the DMK for a lack of action in defending Tamil Nadu's water rights. As the state braces for further developments, the battle over the Cauvery waters remains a highly charged and contentious issue.
