The Congress party’s actions and conflicting stances on the Mekedatu Dam project and DMK’s Stoic silence reveal their hypocrisy.
The Cauvery river water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, which has been ongoing for decades, came to an end after the Modi government formed the Cauvery Water Management Authority.
But the proposed construction of the Mekedatu Dam has reignited the dispute over the river as the dam is expected to cause a significant impact on the farmers in the Tamil Nadu delta region and its surroundings.
The Congress party, which joined forces with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, has shown its true colors by taking different stances on the Cauvery River dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
In August 2021, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai staged a one-day hunger strike in protest against the decision of the Karnataka government and other parties in the state to construct the dam. However, DMK MP Dhayanidhi Maran criticized the protest and urged the Tamil Nadu BJP President to convey his message to the Karnataka government instead of causing unrest. In response, Tamil BJP chief Annamalai demanded that Maran send his private jet to transport Tamil Nadu farmers to demand the Karnataka Chief Minister to change his decision.
On 21st March 2022, the Tamil Nadu government tabled a resolution against the proposed project, which was supported by all political parties, including the BJP and Congress. However, before this, the Karnataka Congress had organized a rally in support of the project.
After the Karnataka Congress rally, the Tamil Nadu Congress staged a protest against the project, exposing their double standards on the matter. The Karnataka Congress Working Chief also expressed his displeasure at the Karnataka BJP government for filing an FIR against them for the rally.
As the dates for the Karnataka polls approach on 2 May 2023, the Karnataka Congress released its manifesto promising ₹9,000 crore to implement the Mekedatu Dam project, despite knowing that it would cause tensions with Tamil Nadu. However, the Tamil Nadu Congress maintains pin drop silence on the Karnataka Congress’ manifesto supporting the project.
The DMK, which is part of the Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu, also remains silent on the matter, raising questions about their stance on the issue. Is the DMK indirectly supporting the Congress’s promise by campaigning for them with the manifesto in their hands? Are they putting the alliance first and the state’s needs last? The DMK’s silence on this matter may imply that they are putting the alliance first and the state’s needs last.
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