It is PM Modi’s duty to resolve Cauvery dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: Manickam Tagore

In a strongly worded response to Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss on July 31, 2026, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and Virudhunagar MP B. Manickam Tagore questioned why Ramadoss was involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Tagore emphasized that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi's duty and responsibility to resolve the issue, given his position of power.

He reminded Ramadoss that if Gandhi were to assert during his visit to Chennai on August 1 that constructing the Mekedatu dam would be against Tamil Nadu's interests, Tagore would raise the question with him when he becomes the Prime Minister.

Tagore highlighted that the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee had ordered Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu daily for the next 15 days, due to the failure of monsoon rains this year. He called on Modi to meet with the Chief Ministers of both states and ensure the Committee's order was followed. Tagore criticized Prime Minister Modi for failing to fulfill this duty, stating that the people of Tamil Nadu were unhappy with his actions.

He reiterated the TNCC's stance that Tamil Nadu deserves justice in the Cauvery dispute and that water due to the state should be released. The TNCC pledged their continued opposition to political manipulation over the Cauvery issue.