Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution Against Mekedatu Dam

In the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Vijay introduced a special government resolution opposing Karnataka's attempt to construct a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery River. The resolution, supported unanimously by all parties, urged the Union Government not to grant any technical, environmental, or statutory clearance for the project. The resolution highlighted that Karnataka's unilateral move disregards the final verdict of the Cauvery Tribunal (2007) and the Supreme Court judgment (2018), both of which mandated equitable water sharing among basin states. It emphasized that no new projects or additional water usage can be undertaken in the Cauvery basin without the consent of all riparian states and Union approval. During the debate, leaders from DMK, AIADMK, Congress, VCK, PMK, CPI, CPM, DMDK, and other parties expressed support. Opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin requested inclusion of a clause urging the Union Government to establish a new tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, which was accepted by the Chief Minister. The resolution was passed unanimously through voice vote, demonstrating cross-party unity in safeguarding Tamil Nadu farmers' rights. Additionally, condolence motions were adopted for the demise of senior leaders including R. Nallakannu, former Assembly Secretary C. G. Ramasamy, producers R. B. Choudhary and K. Rajan, and director Bharathiraja. Members observed two minutes of silence in tribute.