Kerala Leader Urges Government to Address Water Sharing Issues with Tamil Nadu

K. Krishnankutty, a prominent leader of the Left Democratic Front in Kerala, has called on the state government to address ongoing water sharing disputes with Tamil Nadu. He emphasizes the need to learn from Tamil Nadu's successful strategies in securing water from Karnataka. Highlighting the importance of the upcoming discussions during the anti-drug campaign 'Operation Storm,' Krishnankutty critiques Kerala's lack of serious efforts in obtaining its rightful share of water under the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement. He warns that Tamil Nadu's strategic use of water resources is negatively impacting farmers in Kerala. This article delves into the complexities of water rights and the political dynamics at play.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 2, 2026, 23:09 IST

Call for Action on Water Sharing Disputes

Palakkad, August 2 - K. Krishnankutty, a leader of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has urged the Kerala government to bring up the unresolved water sharing issues with Tamil Nadu and to learn from Tamil Nadu's strategies in securing water from Karnataka. Krishnankutty, a senior member of the Indian Socialist Janata Dal, has previously served as Kerala's Minister for Water Resources from 2018 to 2021 and as the Minister for Energy from 2021 to 2026.

In a Facebook post, he referenced the Kerala government's invitation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for the anti-drug campaign 'Operation Storm,' suggesting that this occasion should also be utilized to discuss Kerala's pending water sharing issues and to understand how Tamil Nadu has effectively safeguarded its water rights. He noted that Tamil Nadu has consistently exerted pressure to successfully secure its designated share of water from the Cauvery River.

Despite the storage levels in the Cauvery reservoirs being below 50 percent, the Cauvery Water Management Authority approved the release of 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu. Krishnankutty emphasized that Tamil Nadu has been successful in obtaining its rightful share, or rather, has managed to create the necessary pressure to do so.

He criticized the Kerala government for not making serious efforts to secure the water allocated under the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement, stating, 'Kerala has not made any significant attempts to obtain its share of water under the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement.' Instead, he claimed, the state has accepted Tamil Nadu's arguments, which he considers incorrect, compromising the interests of farmers in Chittoor.

Krishnankutty asserted that while Tamil Nadu is successfully acquiring its share of water from Karnataka, it is also strategically utilizing the water available under the Parambikulam-Aliyar project in the Cauvery River basin, which is adversely affecting farmers in Kerala.