Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani on Sunday urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately approach the court and mobilise public opinion against the proposed Mekedatu dam project in Karnataka, terming it a threat to State’s livelihood rights.

Speaking to reporters after leading a protest in Tiruvarur condemning Karnataka’s move to pursue preliminary work for the Mekedatu dam project, Mr. Veeramani said Karnataka was continuing its efforts despite warnings from the Supreme Court.

He alleged the project posed a serious threat to Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery water and said mere silence or submission of petitions by the Tamil Nadu government would not suffice.

Mr. Veeramani called upon the State government to convene an all-party meeting, approach the judiciary and take the issue before the people.

Pointing out that political parties in Karnataka had united on the Cauvery issue irrespective of ideological differences, he said political parties in Tamil Nadu too should rise above partisan considerations in safeguarding the State’s water rights.

“The issue does not require politics, but statesmanship,” he said and added that it was the responsibility of the Union government to arrive at a lasting solution before protests intensified further.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s slogan of “One Nation, One Election”, Mr. Veeramani questioned why disputes over inter-State river water sharing within the country could not be resolved expeditiously when water disputes between nations were being addressed.