Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Karnataka CM Pitches Mekedatu Amid Tamil Nadu Opposition
Karnataka wants to build a water project called Mekedatu on the Cauvery River.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the project could help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
He presented it as a way to help solve a water disagreement between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu has opposed the project because it worries about water flows and its own interests.
Shivakumar also said southern states deserve fair treatment because they contribute greatly to India’s economy.
He said Karnataka receives a smaller share of some national tax money than before.
He asked southern states to keep the current 543 Lok Sabha seats for 25 years.
He also said women’s reservation should begin without waiting for a new population count and boundary exercise.
D K Shivakumar promoted Karnataka’s Mekedatu balancing reservoir project at the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram.
Shivakumar said the project could benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and help address the Cauvery water dispute.
Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed Mekedatu, citing possible effects on Cauvery water flows and the state’s interests.
Shivakumar called for greater fiscal support and political representation for southern states, citing their economic contribution.
He urged southern states to retain 543 Lok Sabha seats for 25 years and implement women’s reservation without waiting for fresh delimitation.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and other southern-state leaders attended the meeting, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Shivakumar promoted the Mekedatu reservoir project and raised demands concerning funding, delimitation and women’s representation.
- When
- August 20, 2026, at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting.
- Where
- Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Shivakumar said Mekedatu could benefit farmers and help address the Cauvery dispute, while his other proposals sought greater fiscal and political fairness for southern states.
Karnataka’s Position
Tamil Nadu’s Concerns
Mekedatu reservoir
Karnataka’s Position
D K Shivakumar said Mekedatu is important for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and that its water would benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Tamil Nadu’s Concerns
Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed the project, saying it could affect Cauvery water flows and harm the state’s interests.
Cauvery dispute
Karnataka’s Position
Karnataka presented cooperation on Mekedatu as a possible way to help address the Cauvery water dispute.
Tamil Nadu’s Concerns
Tamil Nadu’s opposition remains unchanged despite Karnataka’s claim that the project could help both states.
Delimitation
Karnataka’s Position
Shivakumar urged southern states to use the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation and freeze the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats for 25 years.
Tamil Nadu’s Concerns
The article says southern states fear losing political influence if constituencies are redrawn based on population changes.
- Project
- Mekedatu is a proposed balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River.
- Karnataka’s claim
- Shivakumar said every drop of water from the project would help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
- Tamil Nadu’s position
- Tamil Nadu governments have consistently opposed Mekedatu over concerns about Cauvery water flows and the state’s interests.
- Southern states’ economic share
- Shivakumar said five southern states account for nearly 33% of India’s GDP and about 20% of its population.
- Karnataka’s tax-pool share
- He said Karnataka’s share fell from 4.7% under the 14th Finance Commission to 3.6% under the 15th.
- Estimated loss
- Shivakumar estimated that the reduced tax-pool share cost Karnataka Rs 65,000 crore over six years.
- Delimitation proposal
- He urged retaining the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats for 25 years and implementing women’s reservation within those seats.
