AIADMK Slams Karnataka On Cauvery Dispute, Urges TN CM Vijay To Hold All-Party Meet
He alleged that Karnataka has already built four dams in violation of historical agreements and is currently pushing to construct the Mekedatu dam to completely choke the water flow to Tamil Nadu
Madurai: Senior AIADMK leader R B Udhayakumar on Friday hit out at the Karnataka government over the Cauvery water dispute, accusing the neighbouring state of exhibiting a "hegemonic attitude" by using Tamil Nadu merely as a drain for its surplus water.
Expressing grave concern over "Karnataka's continuous disregard for statutory bodies", Udhayakumar urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to immediately convene an all-party meeting to present a united front on the state's riparian rights.
"Releasing surplus water just to save themselves when the dams are full exposes the Karnataka government's hegemonic attitude, which has historically treated Tamil Nadu as nothing more than its drainage system," Udhayakumar told PTI Videos.
The AIADMK leader highlighted that Karnataka has repeatedly ignored directives from the Supreme Court, the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), and the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
"Karnataka failed to release Tamil Nadu's rightful share of water for July, completely ignoring a directive to release 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days. Following heavy rains, Karnataka abruptly released approximately 18,000 cusecs of surplus water solely to protect its own overflowing reservoirs," Udhayakumar added.
He alleged that Karnataka has already built four dams in violation of historical agreements and is currently pushing to construct the Mekedatu dam to completely choke the water flow to Tamil Nadu.
He emphasised the critical reliance of Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery river, providing key statistics to outline the high stakes involved for the state as about 21 lakh acres of agricultural land across 18 districts depend on the river and face the threat of drought.
"The river sustains over 320 combined drinking water projects. Around 5.5 crore people across 21 districts depend entirely on the Cauvery for their drinking water needs," he added.
Pointing out that political factions in Karnataka consistently set aside their ideological differences and stand united on a single opinion regarding the Cauvery issue, Udhayakumar pressed the Tamil Nadu government to adopt a similar strategy.
He demanded that CM Vijay take a cue from the neighbouring state and bring together all political parties in Tamil Nadu to safeguard the state's farmers and its rightful water share.
