NEW DELHI: Tensions may rise between the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Congress as the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government consulted with water and legal experts regarding Karnataka’s proposed foundation stone ceremony for the Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery River. Karnataka, governed by the Congress, has initiated plans for the dam, reigniting political sensitivities surrounding the contentious issue of river water-sharing between the two states.
A press release from the Tamil Nadu government indicated that the meeting, led by new Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, was convened to assert the state’s rights and protect farmers’ interests. “Taking into account the details of the Supreme Court judgment and legal consultations, CM Vijay emphasized the need for swift follow-up legal measures,” the statement said.
The Tamil Nadu government had previously challenged the Mekedatu dam project, submitting petitions to the Supreme Court on November 30, 2018, and June 7, 2022, asserting that it contravened a Supreme Court ruling. During a hearing on November 13, 2025, the Supreme Court did not grant permission for the dam and stated that the Central Water Commission must evaluate the project’s compliance with earlier judgments.
The prior Tamil Nadu administration filed a review petition on December 11, 2025, which was subsequently considered in the Supreme Court. The judgment reserved during that regime has now been dismissed, according to the press release.
The meeting coincided with remarks from Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Mekedatu would soon be submitted to the central government, with the foundation stone ceremony planned contingent on Union government approval. “The DPR for the Mekedatu project has been prepared, and a project office has been opened. We are identifying alternate land to compensate for the forest area that will be submerged. The DPR will be submitted to the Centre shortly. Once the Centre grants approval, we will perform the bhoomi puja for the project,” he stated.
The Cauvery River water dispute involves Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry and has been a longstanding issue, particularly sensitive in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, sometimes leading to violent protests. Kerala is also governed by the Congress, while Puducherry is led by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
