In a politically significant development, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has accused its former ally, the DMK, of concealing a letter allegedly sent to the Union government seeking the constitution of a fresh tribunal to discuss the contentious Mekedatu dam project, as reported in DT Next.
The CPM has also criticised the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government for accepting an amendment based on the letter during the Tamil Nadu Assembly session without consulting political parties, legal experts, or officials dealing with the Cauvery dispute.
Speaking at a party event in Karaikudi on Saturday, CPM State Secretary P. Shanmugam alleged that an amendment moved by Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was incorporated into the Assembly resolution against the Mekedatu project on Friday without disclosing its contents either to legislators or to floor leaders of political parties.
According to Shanmugam, the amendment referred to a letter allegedly written by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to the Union government on 4 March 2026, seeking the constitution of a new tribunal to discuss the Mekedatu issue.
The CPM leader claimed that the existence of such a proposal had never been disclosed to political parties, nor was it shared with participants who attended the all-party meeting convened on the Mekedatu issue.
Shanmugam argued that the alleged letter weakened Tamil Nadu’s long-standing legal position on the Cauvery dispute. He pointed out that the Supreme Court’s final judgment in the Cauvery water-sharing case delivered in 2018 already mandates that consent from downstream states is required before any construction can be undertaken across the river.
According to him, Tamil Nadu’s efforts should remain focused on enforcing the Supreme Court verdict and preventing the implementation of the Mekedatu project rather than reopening the issue through a fresh tribunal process.
The CPM also directed criticism at Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, accusing him of accepting the amendment without adequate consultation.
Criticising the government’s handling of the issue, Shanmugam said Chief Minister Vijay accepted the amendment without consulting legal experts, officials handling the Cauvery dispute, or other stakeholders familiar with the issue.
Referring to the ruling TVK government’s lack of administrative experience, Shanmugam said political newcomers should exercise greater caution while dealing with sensitive and long-standing inter-state disputes such as the Cauvery issue.
“Since you are new to governance and political administration, greater deliberation is required in matters involving Tamil Nadu’s rights and interests. Decisions cannot be taken merely because the Opposition has suggested them,” he said.
Describing the episode as a serious lapse, the CPM leader urged the government to revisit the issue when the Assembly reconvenes on Monday.
He called upon the government to either withdraw the amendment or place it before the House for a detailed discussion after consulting all political parties and relevant stakeholders.
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