Nation

IIE Digital Desk: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. The Centre is being urged by Joseph Vijay to reconsider the Centre's position on Karnataka'S proposed Mekedadhatu dam project in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shivakumar. This is also a clear example of Tamil Nadu's strategy to engage in dialogue and actively oppose the controversial Cauvery river project.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Vijay expressed his dissatisfaction with the Centre's recent statement in Parliament that the consent of downstream states is not explicitly required for this Mekedatu project under 2018 as per the Supreme Court's decision. He maintained that the parliamentary response should be withdrawn, as it contradicts Tamil Nadu's legal rights concerning the Cauvery waters.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also requested that the Centre not grant any statutory or administrative approvals for the proposed reservoir until all legal and inter-state issues are resolved.me. Vijay emphasized that the project must comply with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) verdict and the Supreme Court's decisions on water sharing between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He also stated that he will not stop talking to Karnagawa'S leadership, but rather engage directly with them. It is anticipated that he will journey to Bengaluru next month to engage in bilateral discussions with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar discusses the Mekedatu controversy and the persistent lack of Cauvery water deliveries to Tamil Nadu. It's a meeting to try to reach conciliation on behalf of farmers and river-dependent residents. ".

The two neighbouring states have been at odds for an extended period over the Mekedatu project. The objective of the proposed balancing reservoir, as per Karnataka, is to supply drinking water to Bengaluru and generate hydroelectric power without impacting Tamil Nadu's designated share of Cauvery water. Tamil Nadu is concerned that the project could decrease water flow in the downstream areas, which could have adversely impact irrigation in this state.

There have been political reactions in Tamil Nadu as well. A united front of opposition leaders has been convened to devise a joint strategy, while some have expressed doubts about the feasibility of bilateral discussions with Karnataka.