CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday said a firm ‘no’ to Karnataka’s plan to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu. A few days ago, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that his government would seek approval from the Tamil Nadu government for building a dam at Mekedatu.
Recalling how Karnataka had turned down Tamil Nadu’s requests for even small quantities of water recently, Palaniswami said Karnataka would not release water to us if they built a dam at Mekedatu. “As far as the Tamil Nadu government is concerned, we will act according to the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the Cauvery dispute,” he told reporters at Vandalur zoo where he presided over a meeting of the Zoo Authority of Tamil Nadu.The CM said that perhaps, Kumaraswamy might not be aware of the history of the Cauvery water dispute.
“Just two months ago, the Tamil Nadu government pleaded with Karnataka for release of three tmc of water for drinking water purposes.Though having a storage of 32 tmc, Karnataka refused to release water. People living in around 20 district depend upon the Cauvery for drinking water. Due to severe drought and insufficient rain, we have sought just three tmc of water. But the request was turned down. As such, do you think Karnataka would release water if they built dam at Mekedatu?,” the chief minister asked.
Responding to a question, Palaniswami said the AIADMK had already started preliminary works for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. “Party cadre are on a bicycle rally from Madurai and they would be meeting people in two constituencies a day to highlight the achievements of this government. So, we have already launched our campaign,” he added. Answering another question, the chief minister said that the alliance for the Lok Sabha elections will be decided by the party at an appropriate time.
Tit-for-tat response
The CM said that perhaps, Kumaraswamy might not be aware of the history of the Cauvery water dispute. “Just two months ago, the Tamil Nadu government pleaded for release of three tmc of water for drinking water purposes. Though having a storage of 32 tmc, Karnataka
refused to release water,” the chief minister said making his stand clear