MK Stalin urges Karnataka CM Yediyurappa to drop the Mekedatu project

On Sunday, the President of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), MK Stalin, urged Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to scrap the proposed construction of the Mekedatu check-dam on Cauvery river. He was responding to the Karnataka government’s letter to the Centre, where it dismissed Tamil Nadu’s concerns over the dam as “irrelevant”. In a statement, Stalin opined, this could affect the relationship between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He implored Yediyurappa to think about the fate of Tamil Nadu farmers.  

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He remarked, “Karnataka should drop the Mekedatu project. If Karnakata erects a check dam in Mekedatu, it could affect the cordial relationships between both the states. Karnataka CM Yediyurappa is a senior leader. He should consider TN farmers position and should drop this project.” 

‘Inappropriate to implement the project’ 

Stalin cited the Supreme Court (SC) order of February 2, 2018, to buttress the case that Karnataka was not supposed to undertake projects affecting Cauvery recipient states like Tamil Nadu.  

“It is unacceptable to say that Tamil Nadu’s interests in the Cauvery issue need not be considered. While the TN Government’s petition against the project is pending before the apex court, it is inappropriate to implement the project,” the DMK president stated. 

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Writing on the microblogging website Twitter, Stalin reiterated, “The Union government should reject the Karnataka government's detailed statement on the construction of a new dam at Mekedatu against the Cauvery final verdict. I urge the Chief Minister of Karnataka to abandon the project in view of the goodwill of the people of the two states.” 

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Karnataka’s response 

Both the states have traditionally clashed over the Cauvery water issue. The Tamil Nadu government officially opposed the Mekedatu dam, citing the possibility of environmental hazards. Thereafter, the Prakash Javadekar-led Environment ministry sought Karnataka’s response to Tamil Nadu’s claims. However, the Yediyurappa regime observed that the project would enhance the ability of the state to share the Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu as per the SC directives. 

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