Leaders of various political parties on Thursday (June 19, 2026) welcomed and supported the resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the Assembly opposing the Karnataka government’s proposal to construct a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery at Mekedatu.

Speaking on the resolution, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said it was the DMK’s firm position that the project should not be allowed, as it would affect the livelihood of Tamil Nadu’s farmers.

He said Tamil Nadu’s rights over the Cauvery waters had been secured only after decades of legal and political struggles. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, its interim and final awards, the Supreme Court’s verdict and the formation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority had all been made possible due to the efforts of the DMK government led by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Udhayanidhi on DMK’s opposition to project

Mr. Udhayanidhi recalled when Karnataka pursued the project, the DMK government under then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had strongly opposed it. When Karnataka allocated ₹1,000 crore for the Mekedatu project, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution condemning the move.

He said Mr. Stalin had written to the Prime Minister on the issue, while an all-party delegation led by then Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan had met the Union Jal Shakti Minister and conveyed Tamil Nadu’s objections.

He further pointed out that in November 2024, the Union Environment Minister had informed Tamil Nadu that Karnataka’s proposal would be considered only after an amicable settlement was reached between the two States.

Mr. Udhayanidhi also said on March 4, 2026, the Tamil Nadu government had written to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry seeking the constitution of a fresh tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, treating the Mekedatu project as a new dispute. He urged the Chief Minister to amend the resolution to specifically urge the Union government to constitute a new tribunal under Section 4 of the Act.

He assured the DMK’s support for all legal and political measures taken to prevent Karnataka from constructing the dam. He suggested that instead of merely forwarding the resolution to the Union government, an all-party delegation comprising Tamil Nadu MLAs and MPs should personally submit it to the Centre to demonstrate the State’s unity.

Later, the Chief Minister moved an amendment to the resolution incorporating the Opposition Leader’s suggestion to urge the Centre to constitute a new tribunal on the issue.

EPS on AIADMK efforts

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami detailed the measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government to oppose the project during the tenures of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and himself.

He said Jayalalithaa had met the Prime Minister over the issue, while he too had met the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister during his tenure. Mr. Palaniswami outlined the legal measures taken by the AIADMK government and said Tamil Nadu had repeatedly been forced to fight legal battles to secure its due share of Cauvery water.

Congress Legislature Party leader and Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar condemned Karnataka’s move, saying it was detrimental to the interests of farmers in the Cauvery delta districts and to Tamil Nadu’s drinking water needs. VCK legislature party leader and Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu recalled Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s proposal for the nationalisation of rivers and urged the Centre to act impartially on the Mekedatu issue.

PMK floor leader Sowmiya Anbumani said 28 of Tamil Nadu’s 38 districts depended on Cauvery water, which catered to the needs of nearly 5.5 crore people. An upper riparian State could not unilaterally construct a dam without the consent of the lower riparian State.

CPI floor leader T. Ramachandran said the Mekedatu proposal was against the spirit of the Constitution and federalism, and called for an all-party meeting to discuss the issue before meeting the Prime Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister.

DMDK MLA Premallatha Vijayakant said there had been no permanent solution to the Cauvery, Mullaperiyar and fishermen issues since Independence and urged the government to focus on water conservation measures.

CPI(M) floor leader R. Chellaswami, Nagapattinam MLA M.H. Jawahirullah, Chidambaram MLA, Tamimun Ansari, Pollachi MLA Nithyanandan, and Kadayanallur MLA T.M. Rajendran also spoke on the resolution.