Bengaluru, Karnataka – The simmering water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has once again erupted into a political battlefield, with Tamil Nadu’s Law Minister directly accusing Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, of politicising the sensitive Mekedatu reservoir project for narrow electoral gains. The fresh volley of allegations has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors, drawing sharp responses from the Congress, BJP, and the JD(S) as they scramble to own the water narrative ahead of the upcoming local body elections.
In a strongly worded statement released from Chennai, Tamil Nadu Law Minister S. Regupathy charged that Mr. Shivakumar’s recent public push to expedite the Mekedatu project is a calculated move to distract from internal Congress feuds and woo the influential Vokkaliga community in the Cauvery basin. “Mekedatu is not a new issue. It has been pending in the Supreme Court. But Mr. Shivakumar is raising it now only to consolidate his political base and reignite parochial sentiments. This is dangerous for federal harmony,” Regupathy told reporters in Chennai.
The Political Tug-of-War
The Congress camp in Karnataka was quick to retaliate. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, dismissed the allegations as “baseless interference” from a neighboring state. “Karnataka’s water is our right. We are not politicising anything; we are fulfilling the promise made to our farmers and people of Bengaluru. Let Tamil Nadu first stop wasting water and then lecture us,” Shivakumar shot back during a press briefing in Bengaluru.
The Congress’s aggressive posture on Mekedatu is seen as a double-edged sword. While it helps the party project a pro-Kannada image, especially in the Old Mysuru region where Shivakumar enjoys strong support, it also risks alienating its allies in the opposition INDIA bloc, where Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK is a key partner. Political analysts note that the Congress high command is walking a tightrope, balancing regional pride with national coalition politics.
BJP Hits Back: ‘Congress Using Water as a Vote Bank Tool’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was not far behind in seizing the opportunity. Former Chief Minister and BJP leader, Basavaraj Bommai, accused the Congress government of “hollow theatrics” on the Mekedatu front. “Shivakumar talks loudly, but where is the action? This government has not filed a single concrete affidavit in the Cauvery Water Management Authority. They are only making statements to distract from rising inflation and corruption,” Bommai said while addressing party workers in Mandya.
State BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra went a step further, alleging that the Congress leadership in Karnataka is “paralysed” and that the Mekedatu issue is being used to mask internal power struggles between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM Shivakumar. “The Mekedatu project requires a strong political will and legal acumen. This Congress government lacks both. They are more interested in photo-ops than in securing water for our future,” Vijayendra claimed.
JD(S) Caught in the Middle, Calls for Bipartisan Approach
The Janata Dal (Secular) under former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda has adopted a more measured tone, while still criticising the Congress for its “confrontational style.” JD(S) leader and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said, “Mekedatu is essential for Karnataka, but it cannot be solved through rhetoric. The Congress should work with all parties, including the BJP, to build a unanimous legal and political case. Instead, they are fighting with Tamil Nadu and scoring political points.”
Kumaraswamy also subtly targeted Shivakumar, stating, “Some leaders are using Cauvery water to fill their own political buckets. We have always stood for Karnataka’s interests without theatrics.” The JD(S), which historically draws support from the Vokkaliga community, is wary of Shivakumar’s growing clout in the same demographic.
What Lies Ahead?
The Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, estimated to cost over ₹5,000 crore, aims to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and ensure irrigation for farmers in the Cauvery basin. However, Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, fearing it would reduce its share of Cauvery water. The matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
As the political slugfest intensifies, ordinary citizens remain skeptical. With local body elections barely months away, the three major parties appear more interested in using the water issue as a weapon than as a tool for lasting resolution. For now, the Cauvery waters continue to flow—carrying with them the heavy sediment of Karnataka’s political ambitions.