Karnataka Deputy CM asserts Mekedatu project will be implemented after DMK manifesto promises to stop it

Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, a key constituent of the INDIA bloc, in its manifesto released on Wednesday, promised to stop the construction of the Mekedatu dam.

“Let them (DMK) do whatever in their state (Tamil Nadu). I have taken the Irrigation Minister’s responsibility to construct Mekedatu (dam). They will do their fight (to stop),” Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the case is coming up before the Cauvery Water Management Authority.

“We will get justice. They, at the authority, are aware of the current water issue (in Karnataka). They have to give us justice. We are confident that we will get justice in the courts too,” he added.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson MG Mahesh told South First that the Congress was making a fool out of Kanndigas as it “always betrays people”.

Also Read: DMK manifesto proposes Constitutional amendment on Governors and Article 356

BJP slams Congress

Earlier in the day, referring to DMK’s promise in their manifesto, state BJP President BY Vijayendra accused the Congress government in Karnataka of having “sacrificed” the drinking water needs of the state’s farmers and citizens for the “selfish” coalition politics of INDIA alliance.

Voting for the Congress would be detrimental to the interests of the state, he said, as he took a dig at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government in a post on “X’ with “#WeakestCM #NammaKaveriNammaHakku (Our Cauvery Our Right).”

“DMK Manifesto exposes the Siddaramaiah govt’s clandestine arrangement with M K Stalin (Tamil Nadu CM) that has cost us our lifeline “Cauvery”, the primary source of Drinking Water & Irrigation purposes for our farmers, during the time of a severe drought,” Vijayendra said.

He said, this very much explains the government’s “lackadaisical attitude” in fighting for the state’s rightful share of Cauvery water with the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), that has resulted in Karnataka releasing water in abundance to Tamil Nadu, “more than our share.”

“It’s no wonder if DMK would leverage its alliance power to bargain for more Cauvery water & STOP the Mekedatu project, in case the I.N.D.I.Alliance comes into power. Voting for Congress would be detrimental to the interests of our state. Only Karnataka BJP can do justice to our state,” he added.

DMK Manifesto exposes the @siddaramaiah govt’s clandestine arrangement with @mkstalin that has cost us our lifeline “Cauvery”, the primary source of Drinking Water & Irrigation purposes for our farmers, during the time of a severe drought.@INCKarnataka govt has sacrificed our…

— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (Modi Ka Parivar) (@BYVijayendra) March 21, 2024

“The Congress is literally making a fool out of Kannadigas. They (Congress) were the ones who were spearheading the protests for implementing the Mekedatu project and took out ‘padayatras’ to make sure that it was a reality. However, whenever it comes to Karnataka, the Congress always betrays its people,” Mahesh told South First.

“Now that the INDI Alliance’s DMK has called out in its manifesto that Mekedatu will be dropped, the Congress is not uttering a single word. Now they want to appease the people of Tamil Nadu at the cost of Kannadigas who are reeling under water scarcity and drought,” he added.

He said that water scarcity was present not only in Bengaluru but also in other drought-affected districts in the state.

“The Congress high command always betrays the people of Karnataka when it comes to interstate issues. Earlier, Sonia Gandhi had said in Panjim in Goa regarding the Mahadayi project that not even a single drop of water would be given to Karnataka. This is the real face of the Congress and its leaders. Kannadigas should realise this and keep them away from Parliament,” added Mahesh.

Details of construction

A separate Project Division and two Sub-Divisions have already been set up to implement the ambitious Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir and drinking water project of the Cauvery river valley, Siddaramaiah said, presenting the state budget last month.

A survey to identify land that will be submerged under this project and the counting process of trees have already been initiated, he had also said, adding “Action will be taken on priority to commence the work early after obtaining remaining necessary clearances from the competent authorities.”

Mekedatu is a multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project proposed by Karnataka, which involves building a balancing reservoir near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.

Neighbouring Tamil Nadu has been opposing the project, raising apprehensions that the state would be affected if the project takes shape.

The project, once completed, is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and also can generate 400 MW power, and the estimated cost of the project is ₹9,000 crore (2019 rates).

(With PTI inputs)