DMK MPs Resolve to Oppose Mekedatu Dam, Demand Central Tribunal on Cauvery

DMK president M.K. Stalin chaired a virtual meeting of the party's Members of Parliament on July 17, ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, where the Mekedatu dam dispute and a reported delimitation-related bill were discussed.

The meeting passed a resolution demanding that the Union government immediately constitute a dedicated tribunal to resolve the Mekedatu dam dispute and ensure Karnataka releases Tamil Nadu's rightful share of Cauvery water without further delay.

The resolution condemned the Karnataka government for withholding water since January 2024 in violation of the Supreme Court's final verdict on the Cauvery dispute, and drew a parallel to former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's role in securing the original Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

DMK MPs were directed to forcefully raise the demand for a Mekedatu tribunal during the Monsoon Session and press the Centre to guarantee the release of Tamil Nadu's water share.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly had earlier, on June 19, unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay opposing Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir.