The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a day-long hunger strike on October 16, 2023, in Kumbakonam to condemn the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party over allegations of deceiving farmers in the ongoing Cauvery water dispute.
In a statement signed, K Annamalai said, “The state had been getting Cauvery water for the past five years without any issue after the constitution of the Cauvery River Water Commission by the Modi government, and the problem started after the DMK’s ally, Congress, came to power in Karnataka this year. The DMK government had decided to stage a drama by bringing a resolution on the issue in the Assembly. He said that the resolution for not naming the Congress, which is in power in Karnataka and said that when the party’s Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan tried to put forth the party’s views on the resolution, her speech was interrupted, and the telecast not shown completely”.
https://x.com/BJP4TamilNadu/status/1711972841938468922?s=20
Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Resolution on Cauvery Water Release
On October 9, the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery water in accordance with the directives of the Cauvery Water Management Authority. This move by the Assembly further escalated tensions surrounding the Cauvery water dispute.
In a show of solidarity, more than 40,000 shops remained closed in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district on October 11. The protest, organised by the Cauvery Basic Protection Coalition, aimed to express Tamil Nadu’s frustration with the Karnataka government’s refusal to provide Cauvery water to the state.
In response to a viral video circulating on social media, the K Annamalai voiced strong criticism against the DMK-Congress alliance. He accused the alliance of having a history of betraying the people of Tamil Nadu when it comes to livelihood issues, particularly in relation to the contentious Cauvery river water dispute.
He further alleged that the DMK, a key member of the alliance, has been engaging in theatrical actions aimed at deceiving the public regarding their stance on the Karnataka Congress government’s policies. Annamalai contended that the DMK’s apparent protests and opposition to the Karnataka government are mere illusions, orchestrated for political gain rather than genuine efforts to resolve the Cauvery issue for the people of Tamil Nadu.
In a strongly worded statement, he stated, “As far as the DMK-Congress alliance is concerned, it has a history of betraying the people of Tamil Nadu on livelihood issues. On the Cauvery issue, the DMK, which has been staging a drama day in and day out, is now going to pretend to hold a protest to deceive the people and show an illusion that they are opposing the Karnataka Congress government. Their real purpose is not a real solution for the people; They have admitted with their own mouth that they are only playing politics by deceiving people.”
This critique highlights the ongoing tensions and political maneuvering surrounding the Cauvery river water dispute in the region.
திமுகவின் டெல்டா பகுதி நிர்வாகிகள் கூட்டத்தின் காணொளி ஒன்றைக் காண நேர்ந்தது. அந்தக் காணொளியில், வரும் பாராளுமன்றத் தேர்தலில் ஜெயிக்க, கர்நாடக காங்கிரஸ் கட்சிக்கு எதிராகப் போராடுவது போல நடிக்க வேண்டும் என்று நாகை மாவட்டத் திமுக நிர்வாகி ஒருவர் பேசுகிறார். அவர், திமுக நாகை வடக்கு… pic.twitter.com/1aOI370qfL
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) October 9, 2023
In a recent viral video that has been circulating on social media, a DMK executive from Nagapattinam North District, identified as Gnanavelan, was captured discussing the party’s election strategy for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. The meeting, which also had the presence of Congress MLA from Mayiladuthurai, S Rajakumar, revealed intriguing insights into the party’s approach.
In the video, Gnanavelan can be heard saying, “Just like how he (Congress) is acting, what we’ve to do is, we also have to show that we’re opposed to the Congress while simultaneously deride Edappadi (Palaniswami) and finish off BJP. This should be our principle. Only if we confirm the alliance, we can win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by a huge margin of votes. Congress giving or blocking water is secondary, but we’ve to oppose fully.”
When questioned about the means of opposition, Gnanavelan responded, “We’ve to oppose. We’ve to create an illusion that we’re opposing. (laughs). We’ve to create an illusion. The MLA Rajkumar should also speak vehemently. Only then, they will realize that the Tamilians here are united. ‘People should realize: ‘Even though he is from Congress, they’re united. All of them are united. They stand with their leader. Congress will fight no matter what.’ For that feeling to come, Rajakumar brother should speak vehemently in the rally. We’ve to show that Tamilians here have Tamil emotions just like how Karnataka people there have Kannadiga emotions. That should be the primary aim of this agitation.”
This video has ignited a debate on the political strategies employed by the DMK as they prepare for the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It appears that the party is aiming to create a perception of opposition to the Congress while emphasizing unity and Tamil pride in the region, all while targeting their political rivals. The authenticity and implications of this video are yet to be fully understood, but it has certainly raised questions about the transparency and tactics employed in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.
https://x.com/karthikgnath/status/1711390024686845984?s=20
A large number of people on social media rapped the DMK for duplicity over its stance on the Cauvery issue . They said “ during the assembly polls, Congress in its manifesto clearly said it would not let water in Cauvery and will build a dam across the Cauvery in Mekedatu. Knowing well this, DMK and its allies campaigned for the Congress and Chief Minister Stalin, and leaders of its allies attended government installation ceremony in Bangaluru. Now they want shift the blame on Central government”.
