Karnataka needs Tamil Nadu's consent for Mekedatu dam

The Tamil Nadu legislative assembly discussed inter-state water disputes, focusing on the Mekedatu dam. Edappadi K Palaniswami from the AIADMK urged the ruling DMK government to work with other southern Chief Ministers to resolve these ongoing issues. Water resources minister Duraimurugan responded by stating that Karnataka cannot build the Mekedatu dam without Tamil Nadu's approval. He highlighted the complicated nature of the approval process and pointed out that there are currently 22 pending cases with the Supreme Court regarding water disputes. During the debate, opposition member R B Udhayakumar criticized the DMK for not fulfilling their promises on water resources. He compared their efforts to a mountain and a molehill, implying that the results are far from what was promised. Palaniswami added that the unity among southern Chief Ministers could help in obtaining Tamil Nadu's rightful share of water. Duraimurugan disagreed, saying that discussions between states might weaken Tamil Nadu’s position. He noted that legal pathways, rather than negotiations, are the best way to ensure justice. He also criticized the AIADMK's management of the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar link project, stating that inadequate land acquisition efforts had led to its current struggles. Duraimurugan concluded that careful discussion about water disputes is essential, considering the large Tamil population in the neighboring states.