Chennai: Former CM M K Stalin on Wednesday questioned the silence of chief minister C Joseph Vijay on the refusal of Karnataka to release Cauvery water.Stalin questioned Vijay for not speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention, even though delta farmers were facing an acute water shortage.“Even after Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) rejected Tamil Nadu’s demands, why haven’t you spoken to the PM about this?’’ Stalin asked in a post on X.Break this ‘meaningless silence’ and act on a war footing to obtain Cauvery water, he said. “State’s inaction has affected the ongoing kuruvai cultivation and upcoming samba cultivation,” Stalin said.Stalin said Karnataka released only 3.4tmcft of the 28.3tmcft due to Tamil Nadu till July 19, delaying the opening of the Mettur dam and affecting farmers across the Cauvery delta. He alleged that the CWMA repeatedly deferred a decision on Tamil Nadu’s plea for water, despite the Supreme Court’s final verdict, and urged TVK govt to immediately move the apex court to secure the state’s rightful share.“What is the minister for water resources of Tamil Nadu doing? What is the fear in speaking out against the Karnataka govt, which refuses to provide water to Tamil Nadu?’’ Stalin asked.He also hit out at Vijay for not convening an all-party meeting to discuss the Mekedatu issue. “When will you go with all-party members and personally submit the TN assembly resolution against the Mekedatu dam to the Prime Minister?’’ he asked.Demanding a fresh relief package for farmers affected by the kuruvai crop loss, Stalin warned that uncertainty over samba cultivation had put the livelihoods of Cauvery delta farmers at risk.
