Tamil Nadu Minister alleges DMK-Karnataka nexus in Cauvery row
Tamil Nadu Electricity and Law Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar has accused the DMK leadership of maintaining a long-standing political understanding with Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, alleging that the relationship has adversely affected Tamil Nadu’s position in the Cauvery water dispute.
Speaking to reporters at Chennai airport, Nirmal Kumar claimed that Shivakumar and the DMK leadership share close political ties and often take positions that align with each other’s interests. He further alleged that Shivakumar has consistently favoured the DMK returning to power in Tamil Nadu and suggested that recent developments reflected this association.
The minister also alleged that during the tenure of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the then DMK leadership had attempted to prevent Karnataka from releasing Cauvery water to avoid giving political advantage to the AIADMK government. According to him, the same approach continues even now.
Referring to recent comments made by DMK president M.K. Stalin, Nirmal Kumar alleged that such statements could weaken Tamil Nadu’s interests in the ongoing Cauvery dispute.
He said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had already held discussions with legal experts and decided to approach the Supreme Court after completing the required legal preparations. However, he alleged that the DMK hurriedly filed a separate petition later the same day, creating the possibility of multiple petitions representing the same state.
According to the minister, separate legal petitions could create confusion and dilute Tamil Nadu’s arguments before the court.
Praising former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for firmly protecting the state’s interests in the Cauvery issue, Nirmal Kumar also criticised the AIADMK, alleging that the party was currently supporting Karnataka and the BJP.
On Karnataka’s reported release of 12,000 cusecs of water from the Kabini reservoir, he said the quantity was inadequate and reiterated Tamil Nadu’s demand for 15 TMC of water. He also recalled that the Cauvery Water Management Authority had recently upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s recommendation directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs daily for 15 days.