"We will also demand, Cauvery is our right": Karnataka CM on DMK's plan to raise issue in Parliament
Bengaluru, July 18
Stating that water from the Cauvery river is a fundamental right of the state, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday countered the DMK's demand to discuss the issue in Parliament, asserting that Karnataka's MPs will firmly present the facts of the matter before the country.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar dismissed the opposition from the neighbouring state and reiterated that the disputed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project is actually designed to benefit Tamil Nadu rather than Karnataka.
"They will demand; no problem, we will also demand. I will also go to Delhi and tell our Members of Parliament to place the facts before everyone. Whatever the Cauvery issue is, it is our right," Shivakumar said.
The senior leader pointed out that regulatory mechanisms are already in place to handle the distribution and legalities of the river water sharing.
"The Supreme Court has also said that it is left to the Central Water Commission," he added.
Defending the state's proposed construction of the balancing reservoir at Mekedatu--which has been a major political flashpoint between the two states- Shivakumar argued that Tamil Nadu's resistance to the project is misplaced.
"The Mekedatu project benefits Tamil Nadu, not Karnataka. I will make this very clear," the Minister emphasised.
Earlier, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president MK Stalin chaired a virtual high-level meeting with the party's Members of Parliament on Thursday, where it was resolved to aggressively confront the Union government over Tamil Nadu's rights regarding the Cauvery river dispute.
During the meeting, the DMK parliamentary delegation adopted a firm resolution demanding the immediate intervention of the Centre to address the ongoing water-sharing friction with neighbouring Karnataka.
"The DMK MPs resolved to urge the Union government during the Monsoon Session to constitute a tribunal to resolve the Mekedatu dam dispute and ensure that Karnataka releases Tamil Nadu's share of Cauvery water without delay, in accordance with Supreme Court directions," the party statement noted.
The move sets up a direct political showdown in Parliament, coming on the heels of statements from Karnataka leadership asserting their own structural rights over the river layout.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm from Tamil Nadu but living in Bengaluru for work. This Cauvery issue is so exhausting - every summer there's drama. Both states should sit down like mature adults and find a solution instead of fighting in Parliament and wasting taxpayer money. The Supreme Court has given a verdict, just follow it! 🙏
As an outsider, this Cauvery dispute seems so petty. It's 2024 and we're still fighting over river water like it's the 19th century. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu need to invest in better water management systems - desalination, rainwater harvesting, recycling. Stop the political grandstanding and solve the problem.
DK Shivakumar is right - Cauvery is our right! We have been sharing water with TN for decades but they always want more. And now they want to block Mekedatu? That project will help regulate water flow so both states benefit during drought years. DMK should focus on their own water management instead of crying foul every time. 👊
Respectfully, this is a complex issue that goes beyond politics. The Supreme Court has already ruled on water sharing. Both states need to work together constructively instead of threatening each other in Parliament. The real losers in this endless dispute are the farmers and common people who depend on the river for their livelihood.
DMK thinks they can pressure Centre by raising this in Parliament? Wait till our MPs start speaking! I fully support CM Shivakumar's stance. Mekedatu is not just Karnataka's project - it's a scientific solution to a decades-old problem. TN should stop being unreasonable and let development happen.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.