Karnataka Water Minister accuses Centre of politicising Mekedatu, Mahadayi projects
Synopsis
Karnataka's Water Resources Minister has directly accused the Centre of politicising drinking water and stalling the Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects — even as the Supreme Court has ruled in Karnataka's favour. In an unusual political gambit, he is now appealing to BJP's own Karnataka MPs to break ranks and push the Union government into action.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Minister N.
Cheluvarayaswamy accused the Centre on 29 October 2026 of politicising drinking water projects.
The Mahadayi project's forest clearance is allegedly being withheld due to pressure from Goa , despite a Supreme Court ruling in Karnataka's favour.
On Mekedatu , 2,500 hectares have been identified; the DPR is pending Centre's approval before the CWC .
Karnataka has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging CWRC and CWMA orders to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu .
The minister appealed to BJP MPs from Karnataka to support the state's water demands across party lines.
Karnataka has also written to the Centre seeking the Bharat Ratna for the late literary icon Kuvempu .
Karnataka Minister for Water Resources N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Thursday, 29 October 2026, accused the Union government of politicising drinking water issues and alleged that the Centre was deliberately delaying critical projects — the Mekedatu and Mahadayi — despite the state's acute water requirements. The minister made these remarks at the launch of M.K. Venkataramu's book, 'The Evergreen Cauvery Conflict', at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru.
Allegations Against the Centre
Cheluvarayaswamy alleged that the Centre had not granted forest clearance for the Mahadayi project, reportedly under pressure from Goa. He pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled that other states could not raise objections to drinking water projects, yet the Centre continued to stall. He said he had personally appealed to Union Ministers to facilitate the project's implementation and urged the Centre to take Karnataka's drinking water needs seriously.
On the Mekedatu project, the Minister said all relevant issues had been placed before the Central Water Commission (CWC). He added that 2,500 hectares had already been identified for the project, with another 2,500 hectares yet to be finalised. Cheluvarayaswamy maintained that the preparation and approval of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) had no connection with forest clearance, and that the state government was exerting considerable pressure on the Centre to approve the DPR.
Cauvery Water Dispute Update
Regarding the longstanding Cauvery water dispute, Cheluvarayaswamy confirmed that a petition had already been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the orders of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), which had directed Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu. He said officials were working towards filing a review petition to bring the state's difficulties to the court's attention once again.
He asserted that the Supreme Court had issued an order in Karnataka's favour, but alleged that the Centre was still delaying the process without justification. This comes amid a broader pattern of friction between the Congress-led Karnataka government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government over resource-sharing and federal project approvals.
Political Dimension and BJP MPs
The Minister drew attention to the political dimension of the issue, noting that the BJP-led Union government had benefited considerably from Karnataka, which sends a significant number of BJP MPs to Parliament — more so than Tamil Nadu. He expressed confidence that BJP MPs from Karnataka would set aside party lines and join hands with the state government to address the drinking water crisis and help realise the Mekedatu project.
Notably, the minister's appeal to BJP MPs from Karnataka to act in the state's interest, irrespective of political differences, signals an attempt by the state government to build cross-party pressure on the Centre over water infrastructure.
Bharat Ratna for Kuvempu
On the sidelines, Cheluvarayaswamy also expressed confidence that the late Kannada literary icon Kuvempu would receive the Bharat Ratna posthumously. He said the Karnataka government had already written to the Centre requesting the honour, describing it as difficult for the country to produce another personality of Kuvempu's stature.
Event Details
The programme was organised by the Cauvery River Protection Committee, Kuvempu Vishwa Manava Kshema Abhivruddhi Trust, and Vismaya Book House. Two additional books — 'Sevapatha' and 'From Mangala to Manchester' — authored by T. Thimmegowda, retired founding managing director of the Cauvery Neeravari Nigam, were also released at the event. Distinguished attendees included retired Supreme Court judge V. Gopala Gowda, Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math seer Sri Sri Sri Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, and Cauvery River Protection Committee president H.K. Ramu, among others.
With legal proceedings ongoing in the Supreme Court and both Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects stuck in clearance limbo, the Centre-state water standoff shows little sign of resolution in the near term.
Point of View
The minister is attempting to drive a wedge within the ruling alliance at the national level. What the mainstream coverage tends to gloss over is that the Supreme Court has already ruled in Karnataka's favour on drinking water objections — the Centre's continued inaction, if accurate, is not merely procedural delay but a political choice with real consequences for millions dependent on the Mahadayi basin. The Bharat Ratna appeal for Kuvempu, woven into the same speech, is a classic move to frame the ruling party's inaction as disrespect for Kannada identity — a charge that could resonate in a state where regional pride runs deep.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Mekedatu and Mahadayi projects, and why are they stalled?
The Mekedatu project is a proposed reservoir across the Cauvery River in Karnataka aimed at addressing the state's drinking water and power needs, while Mahadayi involves diverting water from the Mahadayi River basin in Goa to Karnataka. According to Minister Cheluvarayaswamy, both projects are delayed because the Centre has not granted necessary clearances, with the Mahadayi forest clearance allegedly being withheld under pressure from Goa.
What has the Supreme Court said about Karnataka's water projects?
The Supreme Court has ruled that other states cannot raise objections to Karnataka's drinking water projects, according to Minister Cheluvarayaswamy. Despite this ruling, he alleged that the Centre has continued to delay the process without justification. Karnataka has also filed a separate petition challenging CWRC and CWMA orders directing it to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Why is Karnataka's Water Minister calling on BJP MPs from the state?
Cheluvarayaswamy appealed to BJP MPs from Karnataka to support the state's drinking water demands irrespective of political affiliation, noting that Karnataka sends more BJP MPs to Parliament than Tamil Nadu. The appeal is an attempt to build cross-party pressure on the Centre to approve the Mekedatu DPR and grant forest clearance for Mahadayi.
What is the current status of the Mekedatu project's DPR?
The Detailed Project Report for Mekedatu has been placed before the Central Water Commission (CWC), with 2,500 hectares already identified for the project and another 2,500 hectares yet to be finalised. The minister clarified that DPR approval is independent of forest clearance and that the state is pressing the Centre for its approval.
What did the Karnataka government request regarding Kuvempu?
Karnataka has written to the Centre requesting that the Bharat Ratna be conferred posthumously on the late Kannada literary icon Kuvempu. Minister Cheluvarayaswamy expressed confidence that this recognition would come through, describing it as a privilege to be born in the land where Kuvempu was born.
