Opposition demands CM Joseph Vijay secure Cauvery water from Karnataka
Opposition leaders in Chennai have demanded immediate action from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay after Karnataka's Irrigation Minister declared that his state would not release Cauvery River water. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Udhayanidhi Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami issued separate statements urging Chief Minister Vijay to pressure the Karnataka government to release the state's mandated share of water for June and July.
The political dispute intensified following statements from Karnataka Irrigation Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who declared that Karnataka would not release water to Tamil Nadu and claimed that no one had raised a demand for it.
The non-release of water has stalled the opening of the Mettur reservoir, which has not been opened at all this year under the TVK administration. In contrast, the reservoir had been opened on or before the scheduled date of June 12 during all five years of the previous DMK rule. Under the verdict of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, Karnataka is required to provide 9.91 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu for the month of June and an additional 32 TMC for July.
Udhayanidhi Stalin pointed out that the TVK has forged a sudden alliance with the Congress, which rules Karnataka. He stated that Chief Minister Vijay should prevail upon the Congress government to honour its commitment. Stalin also criticized the TVK government, stating it should focus on securing the water due to the state rather than focusing on buying MLAs.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also urged the TVK government to ensure the water release, criticizing the Congress-led Karnataka government's attitude toward the issue. Palaniswami noted that delta farmers in Tamil Nadu depend heavily on the Cauvery River for agricultural needs, and over 20 districts rely on it for drinking water. He stated that Karnataka has never honoured the verdicts of the Supreme Court, the Cauvery Water Management Authority, or Tamil Nadu's rights over the water.
Palaniswami challenged the TVK, asking if the party could give an ultimatum to the Congress by stating that Congress ministers in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet would be dropped if water is not released.
