Anbumani Denounces Union Government’s ‘Conspiracy’ Over Mekedatu Dam Project
PMK leader Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss accused the Union Government and Karnataka leadership of colluding to deprive Tamil Nadu of its rightful Cauvery water shares. He demands an urgent all-party meeting to counter federal claims that downstream consent is unnecessary for dam construction.
Legal Precedents and Disputed Jurisdictions
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, President of the PMK, launched a sharp critique against the Union Government on Tuesday, following statements by Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti. Anbumani contends that the federal administration is engaging in a large-scale conspiracy to block Tamil Nadu's access to Cauvery water. He specifically targeted the Minister's recent interpretation of a February 16, 2018, Supreme Court ruling, arguing that the Union Government selectively cited the judgment to falsely imply Tamil Nadu lacks standing in the matter.
According to Anbumani, the legal framework governing the river remains anchored in historical accords. While the 1947 Act ended the doctrine of paramountcy, he maintains that the 1892 and 1924 agreements between the Madras Presidency and Mysore State were technical rather than political. These pacts have not lapsed or become inoperative. Consequently, Karnataka cannot legally initiate dam construction without the explicit approval of the downstream riparian state, Tamil Nadu.
Political Collusion Allegations
The PMK leader characterized the current situation as a joint effort between the BJP-led Union Government and the Congress administration in Karnataka. Anbumani highlighted a timeline of perceived betrayals:
- 2018: The BJP-led government approved the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu dam.
- Opposition Silence: The Congress leadership at the time refrained from condemning the approval.
- Current Stance: The MoS for Jal Shakti's recent comments suggest the government is actively misleading the public by claiming Tamil Nadu’s consent is redundant.
Demands for State-Level Unity
To resist these federal maneuvers, Anbumani urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately convene an all-party leaders’ meeting. He asserted that both major national parties have consistently sidelined Tamil Nadu's interests regarding the Cauvery basin. By exposing what he describes as a calculated distortion of facts, Anbumani seeks to mobilize a unified state front to defeat the Mekedatu project and protect regional water rights.
Source: The Hindu — National
