Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Udhayanidhi Challenges Vijay Government to Answer Cauvery Questions in Assembly
In the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, there is a very important river called the Cauvery.
Farmers use its water to grow their crops.
The neighboring state of Karnataka said it will not send any Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
This worried the farmers, who are getting ready for the Kuruvai crop season.
The leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Udhayanidhi Stalin, asked the government to explain what it plans to do.
He said the government has not solved big problems like the Mekedatu dam issue or a loan waiver for farmers.
He also said the new farming budget was not useful and only praised the Chief Minister.
Opposition lawmakers wore black shirts to show they were angry.
They are now waiting to see if the Chief Minister will answer their questions on Friday.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, challenged the TVK government to answer questions on the Cauvery issue in the House.
He pointed out that the Karnataka government has said it will not release Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu.
The DMK said the agricultural budget presented by Minister Vinoth lacked substance and only praised Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
DMK members wore black shirts in the Assembly to protest the government's apathy toward farmers' problems.
The DMK submitted an adjournment petition to the Speaker seeking a discussion on the Cauvery issue and its impact on farmers on Friday.
- Who
- Udhayanidhi Stalin, Leader of the Opposition (DMK) in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, head of the TVK government.
- What
- A political dispute in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly over the Cauvery water crisis, the agricultural budget, and farmers' welfare; the opposition demanded the government answer questions in the House.
- When
- On a Thursday, with an adjournment petition seeking a House discussion on the following Friday.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai.
- Why
- Karnataka said it would not release Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu, affecting farmers and Kuruvai cultivation; the opposition accuses the government of failing to address issues such as the Mekedatu dam and farmers' loan waiver.
DMK Opposition
TVK Government
Cauvery Water Talks
DMK Opposition
Karnataka has said it will not release Cauvery water for Tamil Nadu, and the DMK says the government has failed to answer questions on the issue or address farmers' needs.
TVK Government
The Chief Minister said he could go and hold talks to secure Cauvery water, although Karnataka's chief minister asked him not to travel.
Agricultural Budget
DMK Opposition
The DMK says the agricultural budget has no substance and only praises the Chief Minister, breaking tradition.
TVK Government
The budget was presented to the House by Minister Vinoth; the government has not yet publicly responded to the DMK's criticism.
- Opposition Leader
- Udhayanidhi Stalin (DMK)
- Chief Minister
- C Joseph Vijay (TVK)
- Government tenure
- TVK government in power for about three months
- Main issue
- Cauvery water release; Karnataka said it will not release water for Tamil Nadu
- Other unresolved issues
- Mekedatu dam controversy, farmers' loan waiver, water for Kuruvai cultivation
- Protest action
- DMK members wore black shirts in the Assembly
- Demand
- Adjournment petition to discuss the Cauvery issue on Friday