'Don't fall into the trap': TN parties unite against Vijay's Karnataka visit

Parties across political lines and farmers' organisations in Tamil Nadu have warned that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's upcoming visit to Karnataka is a trap that could weaken the state's legal position on the Cauvery water dispute and the Mekedatu dam project.

Most parties have pushed back sharply against the idea of resolving the issue through direct talks between the two chief ministers. Adding to the tension, the Karnataka government on Thursday decided to postpone compliance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) order directing it to release 3,500 cusecs of water every day to Tamil Nadu, citing deficient rainfall and depleted reservoir levels.

The warnings have come after Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's confirmation on Thursday (July 30) that CM Vijay will visit Bengaluru to discuss the long-pending water-sharing issue and work towards a "mutually-acceptable solution”. Shivakumar said he had received a letter from his Tamil Nadu counterpart and conveyed his readiness to cooperate.

Stalin announces DMK agitation, calls for all-party meeting

DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin accused the Tamil Nadu government of silence and lack of clarity, announcing that the party will hold a field agitation on the same day CM Vijay travels to Karnataka. He has also called for an all-party meeting.

Stalin alleged that Karnataka has intensified its push for the Mekedatu dam project since Tamil Nadu's change of government, even as the state's own response has stalled.

Also Read: Cauvery water dispute: Can Vijay-DK Shivakumar talks break deadlock?

"Even after the Cauvery Regulation Committee ordered the release of water, the Karnataka Chief Minister has said it cannot be implemented. Yet the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister remains silent," he said, asking whether the visit would dilute the Tamil Nadu Assembly's demand for a tribunal on the Mekedatu issue.

‘Vijay must ask Shivakumar to see parched Cauvery delta’

Cauvery Farmers' Association general secretary PR Pandian, speaking after an emergency meeting in Thanjavur, said that if the visit goes ahead, Vijay must insist that Shivakumar accompany him back to inspect the parched Cauvery delta.

"If the visit happens out of personal friendship, then on the return journey the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister must bring DK Shivakumar to see the dry delta tracts. The rights secured after 50 years of struggle must not be surrendered in the name of talks," Pandian said, adding that Tamil Nadu must stick strictly to the legal route, since the Centre has already told Parliament that Mekedatu cannot get environmental and forest clearances without CWMA approval.

Anbumani’s statement on Mekedatu

Meanwhile, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss issued a statement ahead of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit to Tamil Nadu on August 1: "If Rahul Gandhi says Mekedatu is against Tamil Nadu and should not be built, we will quit the National Democratic Alliance."

Anbumani argued that any CM-to-CM talks on Mekedatu would hurt Tamil Nadu's interests, since the state has neither accepted nor recognised the project.

"There is no meaning in negotiating an unrecognised scheme with Karnataka. The dialogue must be held with the Centre and the Prime Minister," he said, calling for pressure to withdraw the DPR and stop the dam.

Also Read: 'Keep Mekedatu separate, focus on Cauvery share now': Expert on upcoming Vijay-DKS talks

He pointed out that Karnataka currently holds 62 TMC of water but has defied two successive CWMA release orders in the past month, asking, "What is the use of talking to a government that is already denying water even before Mekedatu is built?"

He also accused the BJP at the Centre and Congress in Karnataka of colluding on the issue, and said he was coordinating with Tamil Nadu's Rajya Sabha members on further action.

Karnataka’s recent moves on Mekedatu

Tamil Nadu opposition leaders cite Karnataka's recent moves as signs of urgency on Mekedatu.

June 11: Shivakumar met FM Nirmala Sitharaman, sought financial assistance for the project

June 12: Karnataka CM met Union Jal Shakti Minister to push for clearance

July 27: Shivakumar held all-party MP meeting in Delhi, citing a parliamentary reply that says lower riparian states' consent isn't required; the same day, Ramalinga Reddy and senior officials held a separate project review meeting.

Also Read: Karnataka must release 3,500 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, orders CWMA

Several parties and farmers' groups have jointly demanded that the Tamil Nadu government convene an all-party meeting and consult farmers' representatives, arguing that the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues concern the whole state — not just the ruling TVK.