DMK government crippled Cauvery-Gundar river-linking project: Palaniswami

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government has crippled the Cauvery-Gundar river linking project for the last four years only because the work was initiated by the previous AIADMK regime, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has charged.

Addressing a massive crowd during the ‘Makkalai Kaappom, Tamilagathai Meetpom’ campaign in Tiruchuli Assembly constituency late on Monday (September 1, 2025) night, Mr. Palaniswami targeted State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu who is also the MLA of the constituency.

Mr. Palaniswami said that being a farmer himself, he realised the difficulties faced by the farming community and thus sanctioned the Cauvery-Gundar river-linking project at a cost of ₹14,000 crore. It was an unprecedented amount ever-sanctioned for an irrigation project in Tamil Nadu, he added. The work started at Pudukottai with allocation of ₹700 crores.

“But, after the DMK government came to power, the project has not progressed. Had it been completed, Tiruchuli Assembly constituency would have greatly benefited. All the tanks would have been filled up, ground water recharged, and farmers would have been able to cultivate any crop they wanted and farm hands would have got adequate job opportunities,” he said.

Considering the benefit of the project, the AIADMK government did not approach the Centre for funds, but started the project with the State’s own funds.

Mr. Palaniswami charged that Mr. Thennarasu was acting against the interest of the local people. He has not sanctioned funds for the project, the Leader of Opposition complained.

Increasing debt burden on common man

Besides, Mr. Palaniswami said that various governments of Tamil Nadu had borrowed a total of ₹5.18 lakh crore in the last 73 years till 2021 since Independence. However, just in the last four years, DMK government has borrowed ₹4.38 lakh crore. “It is going to borrow another ₹1 lakh crore in 2025-26. There is a huge debt of ₹5.38 lakh crore in five years. That Tamil Nadu is the highest borrower in the country is the achievement of DMK,” he said.

The AIADMK leader said that the burden of State’s borrowings will directly fall on the shoulders of the common man as Tamil Nadu government will impose more taxes on them to repay the loans with interest,” he added.

Mr. Palaniswami said the revenue of State government has increased significantly under the DMK when compared to the revenue in 2021 under AIADMK.

“Despite an increase in revenue and increased borrowings, no project has been implemented by the DMK. Besides, old projects have been crippled. Should such a government continue?” he asked.