"Mekedatu Project Resurfaces Amid Karnataka's Water Crisis, Steals Election Spotlight"

As Karnataka gears up for general elections, the pressing issue of water scarcity has emerged as a focal point in political debates. Prominent leaders are reviving discussions around the Mekedatu project, vowing its implementation as they vie for voter support.

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, H.D. Devegowda, recently announced that his party's manifesto will prioritize the execution of the Mekedatu project. He called upon all political parties to include this initiative in their election manifestos, underscoring the submission of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Centre in 2019 and urging Prime Minister Modi's intervention.

The resurgence of the Mekedatu project into the political spotlight follows the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) manifesto in Tamil Nadu, which pledged to halt its construction. The contentious project, involving the construction of a multipurpose reservoir at the confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers, has long been a bone of contention between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and Congress leader, D.K. Shivakumar, defended his party's stance by asserting his commitment to ensuring the project's implementation. This statement came in response to BJP criticism of the DMK's manifesto declaration. Notably, both Congress and DMK are part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Amidst ongoing legal proceedings, the renewed focus on the Mekedatu project gains significance against the backdrop of Karnataka's worsening water crisis, which is expected to exacerbate during the upcoming summer months, coinciding with the elections.

Political analyst Harish Ramaswamy emphasizes the timeliness of the Mekedatu issue amid the prevailing water crisis. He suggests that the resurgence of this topic provides an opportunity for both parties to capture voter attention, potentially benefiting the BJP by questioning Congress's stance within the INDIA alliance.

The state has been grappling with insufficient rainfall over the past two monsoon seasons, with a significant decrease observed in both the North-East and South-West monsoons. As a consequence, a large portion of Karnataka, encompassing 223 out of 236 talukas, has been declared drought-hit.

HBL