NEW DELHI: A proposed dam on the Cauvery river has triggered a war of words between two Congress leaders from neighbouring states, with Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore opposing the project and Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar defending his state’s right to build it.The disagreement has brought out the competing positions within the Congress over the Mekedatu dam, an inter-state water dispute that has long strained relations between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. While Tagore has urged the Tamil Nadu government to step up its legal opposition, Shivakumar has maintained that the project is within Karnataka’s rights and would not affect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of Cauvery water.
How Congress face-off started
The latest exchange began with Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore condemning Karnataka’s push for the proposed Mekedatu dam and urging Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay to strengthen the state’s legal opposition to the project.Tagore criticised Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar for seeking final central clearance for the dam, arguing that his claim about the Supreme Court ruling in Karnataka’s favour misrepresented the legal position. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu had already approached the apex court challenging the project and that the matter remained sub judice.“It is deeply condemnable that Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mysuru, said, ‘No one can stop the construction of a dam at Mekedatu,’ and that the central government must give its final approval for it. The Karnataka Chief Minister continues to adopt a stubborn stance that blatantly violates the Supreme Court ruling and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award. This statement, which goes against the principle of federalism and seeks to destroy the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu’s farmers, is utterly unacceptable,” he said.“Since Tamil Nadu is a lower-riparian state in the Cauvery river water sharing arrangement, Karnataka cannot unilaterally implement any project that affects our rights. The central government must not grant any permission to build the Mekedatu dam without the full consent of the lower-riparian states. Approving the Mekedatu project without Tamil Nadu’s consent is not only illegal but will also severely affect the lives of farmers in the delta districts,” he added.He also questioned the Centre’s impartiality, alleging that its earlier approval of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) without Tamil Nadu’s consent was an “outright act of discrimination”. Tagore urged Vijay to pursue all necessary legal measures to prevent the dam’s construction.“It is the duty of the Modi-led central government to prevent Karnataka from laying even a single brick at Mekedatu. On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Congress, we will never allow this project; we will go to any lengths to fight to protect our state’s rights,” he said.
DK Shivakumar hits back
Responding to Tagore’s criticism, Shivakumar asserted that Karnataka had the right to build the dam and said he was unconcerned about opposition from Tamil Nadu.“Let anyone condemn; I am least bothered. It is my state, my right,” he said.He invited Tamil Nadu leaders to visit the proposed project site, offering to explain how the dam would benefit the region.“Let them come with a delegation; I will show them and explain to them how it helps,” he said.Dismissing the criticism as political posturing, Shivakumar said opposition to the project would continue irrespective of which party raised the issue in Tamil Nadu.“If Congress doesn’t condemn, DMK will condemn. If DMK doesn’t condemn, AIADMK will condemn. Then everyone may condemn,” he said.He also maintained that Karnataka would protect Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of 177 TMC of Cauvery water while pursuing the project.
What is Mekedatu Dam project?
The proposed Mekedatu project is a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river near Kanakapura in Karnataka. It is intended to meet Bengaluru’s drinking water requirements and generate around 400 MW of electricity.Karnataka has argued that the reservoir would help regulate the river’s flow and store surplus water during periods of high inflow. The state maintains that the project would not reduce the quantity of water allocated to Tamil Nadu.Tamil Nadu, however, has consistently opposed the proposal, arguing that an upstream reservoir could affect the flow of Cauvery water into the state, particularly during periods of shortage. It has maintained that Karnataka cannot proceed without the consent of the other Cauvery basin states.
What is Cauvery water-sharing dispute?
The disagreement over Mekedatu is rooted in the decades-old Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with both states having competing requirements for the river’s water.In its 2018 verdict, the Supreme Court modified the allocation made by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. Tamil Nadu was awarded 177.25 TMC of water, while Karnataka received 284.75 TMC.Tagore referred to Tamil Nadu’s entitlement of 177.25 TMC while arguing that Karnataka had historically failed to release the state’s stipulated share on time.According to Tagore, this allocation includes 60 TMC from the Kabini dam, 52 TMC from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) dam and 80 TMC generated through rainfall in uncontrolled catchment areas of Karnataka along the 200-km stretch between the KRS dam and the Biligundulu water gauging station.Tagore accused Karnataka politicians of using the Cauvery issue for political purposes.“Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar’s statement is very painful. The people of Tamil Nadu want to have cordial relations with Karnataka. But Karnataka politicians are doing politics over Cauvery. We want Cauvery water based on Supreme Court’s order. The water has not been released as per Cauvery Tribunal order. Supreme Court’s ruling has not been followed.
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This is a very serious thing,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene, saying, “We demand that the PM should not betray Tamil Nadu. If Modi betrays Tamil Nadu’s interests, he will never be forgiven in Tamil Nadu.”
What is political dimension
The dispute has placed two Congress leaders on opposing sides of an issue that cuts across state boundaries. Tagore has aligned his position with Tamil Nadu’s longstanding opposition to the project, urging Vijay’s government to pursue all necessary legal measures to prevent its construction.Shivakumar, meanwhile, has defended Karnataka’s interests and dismissed criticism from Tamil Nadu, including from within his own party.
