Bengaluru, 15 November

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka on Sunday accused the Congress of adopting "double standards" on the Mekedatu project over the Cauvery River, stating that while the party in Karnataka championed the dam, its leaders in Tamil Nadu were opposing it. 

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress and Chief Minister DK Shivakumar were using the sentiments of Kannadigas for political gains through its Mekedatu padayatra (foot march).

Ashoka pointed out that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President B Manickam Tagore had described the Mekedatu project as illegal and urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to take legal steps to prevent its implementation.

“Shivakumar, the Mekedatu project will not be built merely by delivering fiery speeches in support of Kannadigas in front of a microphone in Karnataka.

When leaders of your own party are conspiring to stop this project, your silence has exposed the extent of your commitment," Ashoka added. 

He asked where the Congress High Command stood in the matter. 

Mekedatu is a multi-purpose project (drinking water and power) proposed by Karnataka, which involves building a balancing reservoir over the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in the Bengaluru South district. Tamil Nadu opposes the project, fearing that the Cauvery Delta would be hit. 

‘THEY ARE PROTECTING THEIR STATE’

Meanwhile, Shivakumar and Home Minister Priyank Kharge said that the Tamil Nadu Congress Chief will make statements to help safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests, but downplayed the implications. 

“Politically they may oppose, but they should also view it based on legal grounds,” Shivakumar said. “They have a big legal team in Chennai; they can understand it.”