Tamil Nadu parties join delta farmers in stir against dams

With backing from major political outfits in the state, thousands of Cauvery delta district farmers in Tamil Nadu launched a massive protest demonstration here on Wednesday to condemn the Karnataka government's move to construct two new dams at Mekedatu and to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scrap the coal-based methane gas project.

Representatives from the Karunanidhi-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Vaiko's Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), actor-politician Vijayakanth's DMDK, Congress, BJP, PMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Indian Union Muslim League and G K Vasan's Tamil Mannila Congress (TMC) took part in the protest and expressed their solidarity with the farmers.

Though various farmers’ organisations have been holding separate protests in the delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam, this is the first time political parties have joined the stir under a single umbrella organisation called All Farmers Associations Coordination Committee.

Condemning the neighbouring State's move to construct two massive dams, agitators said it would turn Tamil Nadu, especially the cauvery delta areas, into a dust ball.

While asking Karnataka to stop constructing the dams, protesters also urged the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery River Water Regulatory Committee to protect the five crore people in the state depending on Cauvery waters for their livelihoods.

They also urged the Prime Minister to immediately scrap the methane extraction project which would deal a severe blow to the irrigation of farmlands in the region.