Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai

Chennai, Aug 6: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly witnessed political drama on Thursday as DMK legislators, led by Udhayanidhi Stalin, arrived wearing black shirts to protest against the government's handling of the Cauvery water dispute and the proposed Mekedatu reservoir project in Karnataka.

The protest took place ahead of the presentation of the Tamil Nadu government's first Agriculture Budget by Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister R Vinoth.

The DMK leaders used the black shirt protest to voice their opposition to Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir, which has remained a major point of disagreement between the two neighbouring states for several years.

While Karnataka has maintained that the project is aimed at improving water storage and meeting drinking water needs, Tamil Nadu has opposed it, arguing that it could affect the flow of Cauvery water required for irrigation in the state.

The issue has gained renewed political attention amid protests by farmers demanding adequate Cauvery water supply and greater support measures, including loan waivers.

The Assembly session comes days after the presentation of the state's 2026-27 Budget by Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, where the government announced its goal of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5 trillion economy by 2031.

Former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin criticised the Budget, calling it a "reel government" Budget and alleging that it lacked originality. He claimed that several welfare schemes announced by the government were rebranded versions of initiatives introduced during the previous DMK administration.

Udhayanidhi Stalin also criticised the Budget, describing it as a "big zero" and accusing the government of failing to fulfil election promises while taking credit for earlier DMK schemes.

The political exchanges come amid growing debate over water-sharing issues, farmers' concerns and the direction of the state's development policies.