Expressing shock over the statement made by Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary in the Rajya Sabha on the proposed Mekedatu project, former BJP leader K. Annamalai questioned whether the change in the Central government’s stand on the issue was driven by “electoral politics” in Karnataka.

Mr. Annamalai pointed out that Mr. Choudhary’s statement in the Rajya Sabha, that the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Cauvery dispute did not state that Karnataka had to obtain the consent of other States before undertaking any construction across the river, was contrary to the statement made by then Union Minister for Jal Shakti in Parliament on February 16, 2018.

“The Centre’s change in position, overlooking the rights and welfare of the farmers of Tamil Nadu, raises suspicions that it is driven by electoral politics in Karnataka,” Mr. Annamalai contended. “Do not take the people of Tamil Nadu lightly. I urge the Centre to act in a manner that does not affect the cordiality between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,” the former Karnataka-cadre IPS officer said.