Chennai: Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Treasurer and Member of Parliament L.K. Sudhish met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Monday and submitted a memorandum highlighting key issues concerning Tamil Nadu, including the proposed Mekedatu dam and the release of Cauvery water to the State.
According to a statement issued by the DMDK, Sudhish urged the Prime Minister to intervene and prevent the Karnataka government from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery river.
He said the project could have serious implications for Tamil Nadu, particularly farmers in the Cauvery delta who depend heavily on the river for irrigation.
The DMDK leader sought the Centre’s intervention to safeguard Tamil Nadu’s established rights over Cauvery water and ensure that no project affecting the State’s share of river water was allowed to proceed.
Sudhish also raised the issue of Cauvery water releases from Karnataka and requested the Prime Minister to take steps to ensure that Tamil Nadu receives adequate water in accordance with its requirements.
The demand comes amid continuing concerns in Tamil Nadu over water availability for agricultural operations in the delta districts. The Cauvery and Mekedatu issues have remained major points of contention between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed Karnataka’s proposed reservoir at Mekedatu, maintaining that the project could affect the flow of Cauvery water to the lower riparian State.
Karnataka has maintained that the project is intended primarily to meet drinking water requirements and generate electricity.
Apart from the inter‑State water dispute, Sudhish placed before the Prime Minister a demand close to the DMDK’s political legacy. He requested the Union government to confer the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, posthumously on DMDK founder Vijayakanth.
Popularly known as “Captain” among his supporters and the film fraternity, Vijayakanth had a long career in Tamil cinema before entering politics and founding the DMDK in 2005.
He later emerged as a prominent Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu. Sudhish said Vijayakanth, who was earlier honoured with the Padma Bhushan, deserved the Bharat Ratna in recognition of his contributions to public life and society.
The DMDK said the meeting provided an opportunity to place these demands concerning Tamil Nadu directly before the Prime Minister.
(IANS)
