DMK to stage protest in Thanjavur on August 3 over Cauvery, farmers’ issues

A dry paddy field near Alakudi village in Thanjavur. Inadequate Cauvery inflow has left many irrigation-dependent farmlands dry ahead of the cultivation season | Photo Credit: R. Vengadesh The DMK will stage a demonstration in Thanjavur on August 3, 2026, to highlight issues concerning farmers and what it described as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government’s lackadaisical approach to the Cauvery water dispute.Announcing this on Thursday (July 30), party president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin will lead the demonstration.Calling upon farmers’ associations that share the DMK’s views to participate, Mr. Stalin warned the party would launch a major agitation if the State government continued to remain indifferent to farmers’ concerns.Recalling the TVK’s election promise to waive crop loans in full for farmers owning less than five acres and by 50% for those owning more than five acres, Mr. Stalin said the government had initially announced a waiver of up to ₹50,000 before increasing it to ₹75,000 following protests by farmers.Mekedatu rowMr. Stalin also accused the government of failing to take effective steps to prevent the construction of the proposed balancing reservoir at Mekedatu, alleging the Karnataka government had accelerated the project after the change of regime in Tamil Nadu.He said while Karnataka Ministers had met the Union Finance Minister and the Union Jal Shakti Minister regarding the project, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister appeared to believe that writing a letter to the Prime Minister was sufficient.“There is no transparency in the government’s handling of the Mekedatu dam issue. There is only confusion. There are reports that the Chief Minister has chosen to remain silent because he does not want to create any hurdle for the release of his film in Karnataka,” Mr. Stalin alleged. Published - July 30, 2026 01:06 pm IST