Anbumani Ramadoss Opposes Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Visit to Karnataka

PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss criticized reports that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay might visit Karnataka to negotiate the proposed Mekedatu dam project. Ramadoss argued that such a visit would be detrimental to Tamil Nadu, asserting that the dam would cause drinking water shortages and that Karnataka has already ignored Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directives to release water.

To pressure the federal government, Ramadoss challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, stating the PMK would withdraw from the NDA alliance if Gandhi publicly opposed the dam's construction. He also condemned Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary for claiming the Supreme Court does not require Karnataka to obtain Tamil Nadu's consent for the project.

In response to the dispute, Chief Minister Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28 urging the federal government to protect lower riparian states. Meanwhile, political opposition is mounting within the state; DMK president MK Stalin announced a protest in Thanjavur for August 3 to criticize the ruling TVK government's handling of the dam and other farmer-related issues.