Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Sunday accused the Congress of adopting “double standards” on the Mekedatu project over the Cauvery River, stating that while the party championed Karnataka’s water rights in the state, its leaders in Tamil Nadu were opposing the project.
The Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly said the Congress had used the sentiments of Kannadigas for political gains through its Mekedatu padayatra (foot march) under the slogan ‘Our water, our right’, but had now remained silent in the face of opposition from its own leaders in Tamil Nadu.
“This silence itself is proof of the Congress’s real concern for Karnataka,” he alleged in a post on ‘X’.
Ashoka pointed out that Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore had described the Mekedatu project as illegal and urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to take legal steps to prevent its implementation.
Tamil Nadu Congress MP Jothimani had also opposed the project, he said.
“Padayatra in Karnataka, legal battle in Tamil Nadu! Slogans in support of Kannadigas in Karnataka, a fight against the rights of Kannadigas in Tamil Nadu! What should one call this double standard of the Congress? Isn’t this the height of political hypocrisy,” he asked.
Questioning Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s silence, the BJP leader said, “Mr Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, the Mekedatu project will not be built merely by delivering fiery speeches in support of Kannadigas in front of a microphone in Karnataka. When leaders of your own party are conspiring to stop this project, your silence has exposed the extent of your commitment.”
Further questioning the Congress high command’s genuine concern for Karnataka, he asked, “Does your Congress high command have genuine concern for Karnataka? Are Karnataka’s water rights important to Rahul Gandhi (Congress top leader), or are political calculations in Tamil Nadu more important? Answer these questions first.”
“Congress needs power in Karnataka and a political alliance in Tamil Nadu, but nobody cares about Karnataka’s interests,” he said.
Alleging that the Congress needed Kannadigas only for their votes, Ashoka said it was shameful politics for the party to shed crocodile tears over Karnataka’s water rights during elections and remain silent when its own leaders opposed those rights after coming to power.
“Mekedatu is the right of Kannadigas. It is not a commodity for the Congress’s election campaign. There is no more room for your political theatrics on the water rights of Kannadigas. First respond to your party leaders in Tamil Nadu, and then write a letter to the Union government,” he said.
However, CM Shivakumar on Saturday said the state would continue to pursue the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project across the Cauvery River, asserting that it had the right to build the dam while also protecting Tamil Nadu’s share of water.
Emphasising cooperation with neighbouring Tamil Nadu on development despite political differences, he said Karnataka would seek the necessary clearances and pursue the project in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
Mekedatu is a multi-purpose project (drinking water and power) proposed by Karnataka, which involves building a balancing reservoir over the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in the Bengaluru South district.
Tamil Nadu opposes the project, fearing that the state would be affected if it is built.
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