Shivakumar's Mekedatu Stand Drives Wedge Within Congress: 'Won't Compromise On Tamil Nadu's Rights'

Key points

• Shivakumar's Mekedatu Stand Drives Wedge Within Congress: 'Won't Compromise On Tamil Nadu's Rights' Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 11:13 IST Congress MP Manickam Tagore said he boycotted DK Shivakumar's swearing-in over Mekedatu remarks, reiterating that Tamil Nadu's Cauvery rights are non-negotiable.
• File photos of Manickam Tagore/DK Shivakumar (PTI) Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday asserted that his party would never compromise on Tamil Nadu’s rights, particularly on the Mekedatu dam project, and revealed that he had skipped Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony because of the latter’s remarks on the project.
• Tagore’s comments come amid political opposition in Tamil Nadu to Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project on the Cauvery river, an issue that has long strained relations between the two southern states.
• Speaking in Virudhunagar, the Congress leader said, “Congress will never compromise on Tamil Nadu’s rights." Referring to the Mekedatu controversy, he added that he...