Palaniswami accuses DMK of trying to compromise on Cauvery
Chennai, April 12:
Raising his election rhetoric ahead of the 2026 assembly elections, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) on Saturday accused the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) of jeopardizing Tamil Nadu’s Cauvery water rights for political gain.
Campaigning in Thanjavur with his former foe and now-ally T.T.V. Dhinakaran, EPS alleged that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is “power-hungry” and ignoring the interests of farmers. He claimed that the DMK is accommodating D.K. Shivakumar, a strong supporter of the Mekedatu Dam project, which Tamil Nadu fears could impact water flow to the delta region.
According to EPS, the proposed Mekedatu Dam “will turn the entire delta region into a desert,” and he accused the DMK government of failing to strongly oppose the project and protect the state’s interests.
Referring to the AIADMK’s previous efforts, EPS said that during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu had achieved a good outcome in the Cauvery dispute through persistent legal battles.
He also pointed out that AIADMK MPs had insisted on the creation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority through prolonged protests in Parliament.
EPS further accused the DMK of adopting a “double standard” on important issues such as NEET and alliances. He accused the DMK of hypocrisy in its criticism of the AIADMK’s relationship with the BJP, and pointed out that the DMK itself had allied with the BJP in previous elections.
