TN Minister hits out at Stalin, defends govt’s stand on Mekedatu, Cauvery rights

Chennai: Escalating the political war over the Cauvery River dispute, TVK leader and Tamil Nadu Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Sunday strongly defended the state government’s handling of the contentious Mekedatu dam issue, accusing DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of making misleading and factually incorrect allegations against the Vijay-led administration.

Responding to Stalin’s criticism that the government had failed to take decisive action to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests, Aadhav asserted that the state had consistently pursued legal, administrative and political measures to safeguard its rightful share of Cauvery waters.

He said the government’s approach was aimed at protecting the interests of delta farmers, ensuring drinking water security and preventing Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project without due process.

The minister highlighted that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had personally raised Tamil Nadu’s objections with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting on May 27.

During the discussions, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to ensure the implementation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award and the Supreme Court’s February 16, 2018 verdict while strongly opposing any approval for the Mekedatu project.

According to Aadhav, the Chief Minister reinforced the state government’s stand by writing to the Prime Minister on June 19 after reports emerged that Karnataka was preparing to perform the bhoomi pooja for the proposed reservoir.

The letter reiterated that the project could not receive clearance without the consent of all co-basin states, namely Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, and requested the Centre to issue suitable directions to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission.

Aadhav also pointed out that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Mekedatu project and forwarded it to the Prime Minister, seeking immediate intervention.

He added that the state had consistently pressed its case before the Cauvery Water Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee, demanding the timely release of Tamil Nadu’s allocated share of water while objecting to Karnataka’s unilateral actions.

Turning the criticism back on the DMK, Aadhav alleged that the previous government had failed to effectively defend Tamil Nadu’s interests following adverse developments in the Supreme Court.

He claimed that legal shortcomings during the earlier regime had made the Cauvery and Mekedatu disputes more difficult to resolve.

Describing the Cauvery issue as one concerning Tamil Nadu’s fundamental rights rather than political rivalry, the minister said the Vijay government would continue to pursue every constitutional and legal avenue available to protect the state’s water rights. At the same time, he maintained that the government remained open to constructive criticism, provided it was aimed at safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s long-term interests.

IANS