Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) Treasurer and Member of Parliament L.K. Sudhish met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Monday, 3 August and submitted a formal memorandum raising critical concerns affecting Tamil Nadu, including the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir and the release of Cauvery water to the state. The meeting placed longstanding inter-state river disputes squarely before the Centre.

The Mekedatu Dam Concern

Sudhish urged Prime Minister Modi to intervene and prevent the Karnataka government from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river. According to the DMDK, the project poses serious risks for Tamil Nadu, particularly for farmers in the Cauvery delta who depend on the river for irrigation.

Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the Mekedatu project, arguing it could restrict the downstream flow of Cauvery water to the lower riparian state. Karnataka, on the other hand, maintains the reservoir is primarily intended to address drinking water needs and generate electricity — a position Tamil Nadu disputes.

Cauvery Water Release Demand

Beyond the dam question, Sudhish separately requested the Prime Minister to ensure that Karnataka releases adequate Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu in line with the state's established requirements. The demand comes amid continuing concerns over water availability for agricultural operations in the delta districts of Tamil Nadu.

The DMDK leader sought the Centre's active intervention to protect Tamil Nadu's recognised rights over Cauvery water and ensure no project affecting the state's share proceeds without federal scrutiny. The Cauvery water dispute has remained one of the most contentious inter-state issues in southern India for decades, with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and subsequent Supreme Court rulings having allocated shares to both states.

Bharat Ratna for Vijayakanth

Sudhish also placed before the Prime Minister a demand central to the DMDK's political identity — a posthumous Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, for party founder Vijayakanth. Popularly known as 'Captain' among supporters and in Tamil cinema circles, Vijayakanth had a long film career before founding the DMDK in 2005 and emerging as a significant Opposition leader in Tamil Nadu.

Sudhish noted that Vijayakanth was previously honoured with the Padma Bhushan and argued that his contributions to public life and society warranted the nation's highest civilian recognition. The DMDK described the meeting as an important opportunity to place these demands directly before the Prime Minister.

Broader Context

The Mekedatu and Cauvery issues have remained major flashpoints between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with both state governments and their respective political parties periodically escalating the dispute. The Centre has historically been called upon to mediate, though a durable resolution has remained elusive. The DMDK's intervention signals that the issue continues to carry significant political weight in Tamil Nadu, even as the state's focus on delta farmers' water security grows ahead of the agricultural season.