Mekedatu dam dispute: CM Vijay, Udhayanidhi trade barbs in Tamil Nadu Assembly

Tamil Nadu Assembly in Friday (August 7) witnessed a sharp exchange of words between Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over the Mekedatu dam issue.

CM rejects all party meet demand

The Chief Minister rejected Udhayanidhi’s demand for an all-party meeting on the issue while emphasizing that Tamil Nadu will never make any compromise over its rights on the waters of the Cauvery River. The Chief Minister warned the Opposition not to politicize the issue.

Also Read: Can Karnataka build Mekedatu without Tamil Nadu's nod? What expert says

"There is no need to convene an all-party meeting. Please do not play politics on the Mekedatu dam issue," said Vijay.

Elaborating further, the Chief Minister that his government has taken cognizance of the Opposition’s demand regarding the Cauvery issue adding that it had no desire of indulging in politics over the matter to which the people of Tamil Nadu is emotionally attached.

State's stand reiterated

Vijay said that earlier all the parties had passed a resolution on the Mekedatu dam and the State’s position was conveyed to the Centre adding that his government has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioning the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and urged the Centre not to approve the project.

Also Read: Mekedatu project: Karnataka to submit DPR to Centre, DKS says TN cannot stop it

"Whatever our stand may be, we have expressed it through a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our government will not compromise on its rights regarding the river water issue or the Mekedatu dam issue," media reports quoted Vijay as saying.

Vijay said that he thought of attempting to address the issue by visiting Bengaluru and holding talks, hoping for a positive outcome.

No 'cheap politics'

Responding to Udhayanidhi Stalin in the Assembly, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay referred to Tamil Nadu’s handling of the Cauvery dispute since 1969, saying governments over the years had considered both dialogue and legal measures to protect the State’s interests.

Also Read: TN will turn into desert if Karnataka builds Mekedatu Dam: Vijay govt in Assembly

Vijay, however, said he did not want to revisit past events for political gain or debate who was responsible for decisions taken decades ago.

"I do not want to indulge in cheap politics by bringing up past history. Do not think about who will gain politically or who will take credit for this issue," he said.

Talks proposal defended

Reaffirming that Tamil Nadu’s legal stand on the Cauvery issue remained unchanged, Vijay said his proposal to engage with Karnataka should not be viewed as a departure from that position. He said the effort was aimed at exploring whether talks could offer any possibility of resolving the dispute.

Also Read: Cauvery row: TN moves SC to secure due share of water

"If that happens, I am prepared to bear even that humiliation for the sake of the people of Tamil Nadu," he said.

Udhayanidhi presses demand

Udhayanidhi questioned why the government was unwilling to convene an all-party meeting when Karnataka had taken a similar step on the Mekedatu issue.

"Like the Karnataka government, we should also demonstrate that we are united against the construction of the Mekedatu dam," Udhayanidhi said.

He also sought clarity on Vijay’s proposed Karnataka visit and demanded details of the Rs 134-crore special package and drought relief assistance distributed by the government.