Vijay Rejects All-Party Meet on Mekedatu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has rejected opposition demands for an all-party meeting on Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam and the Cauvery water dispute, triggering a fresh political confrontation with DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Vijay Rejects Mekedatu All-Party Meeting
Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay said there was no need to convene an all-party meeting and accused the opposition of politicising the sensitive inter-state water issue.
The Chief Minister said his government had already communicated Tamil Nadu’s position to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and would not compromise on the state’s rights over Cauvery water or its opposition to the Mekedatu project.
Vijay also said the government would continue pursuing the Cauvery dispute through legal and constitutional channels.
Udhayanidhi Questions Tamil Nadu Government
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged the government over its handling of the dispute and questioned why an all-party meeting had not been called.
Udhayanidhi argued that the Cauvery issue directly affects the livelihood of farmers, particularly those in Tamil Nadu’s delta districts. He urged Vijay to hold direct discussions with farmers and explain the government’s strategy.
He also questioned conflicting statements over whether Vijay would travel to Karnataka for discussions on the water dispute.
Cauvery Dispute Sparks Political Clash
The exchange has intensified the political battle between Vijay’s TVK government and the opposition DMK.
The proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir in Karnataka has long faced opposition from Tamil Nadu, which fears the project could affect the flow of Cauvery water into the state.
Vijay maintained that political considerations and questions over who receives credit should not influence Tamil Nadu’s approach to the dispute.
The government has reiterated that it will defend the state’s Cauvery water rights while continuing its legal challenge to the Mekedatu project.
