Chennai, July 28 (IANS) We The Leaders President, K. Annamalai, has criticised the Union government’s latest stand on the contentious Mekedatu project, alleging that its recent position before Parliament marks a significant departure from earlier assurances given on the Cauvery river dispute.

He urged the Centre to uphold the rights of downstream states and ensure that any decision on the project is taken strictly within the framework of law and justice.

In a post on X, Annamalai referred to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti’s reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, saying it had come as a “shock” to the people of Tamil Nadu.

According to him, the Ministry stated that the Supreme Court’s February 16, 2018 judgment on the Cauvery water-sharing dispute did not explicitly require Karnataka to obtain the consent of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry before constructing any new structure across the Cauvery river.

Annamalai contrasted this with the position taken by the Centre in Parliament on August 5, 2021. He pointed out that then Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat had categorically stated that Karnataka’s permission to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed Mekedatu dam was conditional.

He had also clarified that, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, no dam or any other structure could be constructed across the Cauvery without the consent of the downstream states, particularly Tamil Nadu.

Questioning the apparent shift in the Centre’s stand, Annamalai said it had created doubts among the people of Tamil Nadu.

He alleged that the change appeared to be influenced by Karnataka’s electoral politics and warned that any move overlooking the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farmers would have serious consequences.

“The rights and livelihood of farmers should never become victims of political expediency,” he said, adding that the Union government was expected to act honestly, transparently and consistently on issues affecting millions of people dependent on the Cauvery river.

Appealing to the Centre to exercise caution, Annamalai urged it not to take any step that could strain the long-standing fraternal relationship between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

He emphasised that the Cauvery issue should be addressed strictly in accordance with the law, while safeguarding justice and the legitimate rights of all riparian states.

—IANS

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