VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Jun 07, 2026, 17:41 IST ‘He didn’t seem to have too much gas left in the tank’: Ex-selector on Rishabh Pant throwing away a century | Cricket News The Dallas housing shift: How H-1b visa curbs and tech layoffs in US are cooling the market ‘Bandar’ box office collection Day 3 [LIVE]: Bobby Deol starrer receives critical acclaim but struggles to cross Rs 2 crore From Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summer CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says agitation won’t stop until Dharmendra Pradhan quits; security beefed up at his residence Saudi Arabia arrests more than 7,700 residency, labour and border violators in one-week crackdown ‘Irumudi’ release date: Ravi Teja’s upcoming film to hit the big screens on THIS date; set to clash with Nani starrer A retired soldier finds a 1,700-year-old Roman treasure while on a weekend walk and it’s unlike anything ever discovered before Tamil Nadu’s free house scheme for tribals: Who gets it, how to apply, and what it costs NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam City Intimation Slip released at neet.nta.nic.in-Direct link to download When Smita Patil slammed Bollywood’s double standards and said ‘Hero ko toh nanga dikha nahi sakte’ Smartest Dog Breeds: The world’s smartest dog breeds? These 5 names come up again and again Cate Blanchett Quote: Quote of the day by Cate Blanchett: ‘The women who really change the game are always the women that no one knows what to do with initially’ | English Movie News Dharavi redevelopment project: Why analyst calls it one of India’s biggest real estate execution challenges IISER IAT 2026 answer key released at iiseradmission.in: Direct link to download here Nithya Menen REACTS to Janhvi Kapoor’s ‘Peddi’ objectification debate: ‘You can assert yourself, I don’t believe you end up helpless’ | Why mental wellness matters for every parent? ‘They’re strong, they’re proud’: Trump on why Iran has yet to agreed to a deal ‘Mr Vice President, you’re wrong’: David Lammy rejects Vance’s ‘mass migration’ claim over Henry Nowak murder NEW DELHI: 2026 has been a year of Congress’ re-emergence in southern India. The party won comfortably in the Kerala assembly elections, entered the Tamil Nadu government by supporting Vijay’s TVK, and also solved the three-year-long tussle over the chief ministerial post in Karnataka.But, just as it seemed that everything was going Congress’s way, regional tensions appear to have taken over the party line. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have locked horns over the proposed foundation stone ceremony announced by Karnataka for the Mekedatu dam project across the Cauvery River, exposing a sharp interstate fault line..Incidentally, as Congress is in power in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, it finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place — forced to balance electoral gains against a combustible local dispute.What is the Cauvery water dispute?The Cauvery water dispute is one of India’s longest-running inter-state river water conflicts. It centres on the sharing of waters of the Cauvery river, a crucial source of irrigation, drinking water and livelihood for millions of people in southern India.The roots of the conflict go back more than 150 years to agreements signed in 1892 and 1924 between the erstwhile Madras Presidency and the princely state of Mysore. These agreements established the principle that the upper riparian state (Mysore, now Karnataka) must obtain the consent of the lower riparian state (Madras, now largely Tamil Nadu) before undertaking major construction projects on the river.Tensions intensified after 1974 when Karnataka began diverting water into newly built reservoirs without Tamil Nadu’s consent. Tamil Nadu argued that these actions reduced water availability downstream, particularly for its farmers who depend heavily on the Cauvery for irrigation.To resolve the dispute, the Central government constituted the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in 1990 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.After 17 years of deliberations, the tribunal delivered its final award in 2007, laying down a formula for sharing Cauvery waters among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.The award was notified by the Centre in 2013 and subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court. In its landmark 2018 judgment, the apex court largely upheld the tribunal’s water-sharing framework while making certain modifications.The court described the Cauvery as a national asset and allocated water among the riparian states, directing the Centre to establish an institutional mechanism to implement the decision.Following the verdict, the Centre created the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) to oversee water releases and ensure compliance with the sharing arrangement.However, conflict resurfaces almost every year, particularly during periods of deficient rainfall. Karnataka argues that it needs adequate water to meet the drinking and irrigation requirements of its population, while Tamil Nadu insists on timely releases as mandated by the tribunal and Supreme Court orders.Disagreements are especially intense during drought years when water availability falls below normal levels. Questions over how shortages should be shared between states often trigger political and legal confrontations.The latest flashpoint is Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu Reservoir Project, which is intended to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate around 400 MW of electricity.Karnataka Vs Tamil NaduThe controversy was triggered by Karnataka’s then deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar after he said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project will be submitted to the Centre soon, and the groundbreaking ceremony will be held after obtaining Union government approval.”The DPR for the Mekedatu project has been prepared, and a project office has been opened. We are identifying alternate land to compensate for the forest area that will be submerged. The DPR will be submitted to the Centre shortly. Once the Centre grants approval, we will perform the bhoomi puja for the project,” DKS said.”There is a clear order to release 177 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. We will discuss how to resolve this in the coming days. The Supreme Court has ruled that Tamil Nadu has no right to object to the Mekedatu project and that the Central Water Commission must take a decision on it,” he added.In what could be seen as retaliation, Tamil Nadu’s newly appointed Chief Minister Vijay conducted detailed consultations with Cauvery water experts and legal experts in order to uphold the state’s rights and safeguard the welfare of farmers.Taking into account the details of the Supreme Court judgment and detailed legal consultation, CM Vijay advised that immediate follow-up legal measures should be undertaken without delay.He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and urged him to advise the Jal Shakti ministry and the central water resources tribunal not to permit the project without the consent of all states involved in the dispute.”The Mekedatu dam is not on the list of projects permitted by the Tribunal which has been affirmed by the Supreme Court,” Vijay has earlier said in a letter to the Prime Minister.”There is no scope for additional utilisation or for creating a huge storage reservoir, since the Cauvery basin is found to be a deficit basin and the available water at 50 per cent dependability has already been allocated to the party states… Hence the act of proposing to construct a new reservoir by Karnataka would amount to clear violation of the said judgment,” the letter read.Why Congress is in a whirlpoolAmid the controversy, Congress finds itself in the unusual position of having to cater to two opposing stands. The party has become the centre of a conflict that has transformed from a bilateral state dispute into an internal political challenge, with its units in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu backing contrasting positions on the Mekedatu project.The fault lines have already become visible. Congress MP Manickam Tagore chose to skip Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar’s swearing-in ceremony on June 4, 2026, citing the Mekedatu dispute. TN Congress vice-president SM Hidayathullah also backed legal action against the project and stated that there should be no dam across the river, placing the Tamil Nadu unit at odds with the Karnataka government’s position.In Karnataka, support for Mekedatu is closely tied to the interests of farmers in the Cauvery basin, particularly the influential Vokkaliga community that forms a key support base for chief minister DK Shivakumar.In Tamil Nadu, however, the focus remains on protecting the state’s share of Cauvery waters and ensuring compliance with the existing water-sharing framework. Congress is also part of the ruling coalition in the state, where opposition to the project has been a consistent position. The party’s alliance equations have gained added significance after TVK backed Congress leader Praveen Chakravarty for a Rajya Sabha seat.About the AuthorRohitashwa RanjanRohitashwa Ranjan is a digital journalist with The Times of India, where he decodes Indian politics as a carefully staged production with scripts, subtext and everything behind. His work tracks elections, party dynamics and the things that often are buried beneath the headlines. When not parsing vote shares or alliances, he is usually reading between the lines, where the real story tends to reside.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ghost Demolition’ In Surat: More Than 100 Homes Razed, Civic Body Denies Ordering ActionCockroach Janta Party Escalates Protest, Gives 7-Day Ultimatum Over Dharmendra Pradhan DemandWest Bengal Launches Statewide Madrasa Survey, Seeks Data On Legal Status, Infrastructure And Staff‘Why Congress Tied India’s Fate To Dollar?’: Nishikant Dubey Attacks CongressAdvisories Circulated Among Muslim Youth To ‘Stay Away’ From CJP’s Jantar Mantar ProtestStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata EventIndia, Nepal To Take Bilateral Ties To New Heights; Jaishankar Calls For Decisive Shift In Relations‘Electric Stove Exploded, Then…: What Chef Told Police In Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire123PhotostoriesFrom Athirappilly to Palaruvi; 8 spectacular waterfalls to visit in Kerala this summerRice water for hair growth: The Korean beauty hack everyone talks about, but what does science actually say?Inside Avneet Kaur’s stunning Mumbai home: white-gold interiors, a dream walk-in wardrobe, and more7 Fascinating facts about the honey badger10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer seasonThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? 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Another man dies of suspected overdose at Mumbai concert 100 days on, Ali Khamenei remains unburied: What’s delaying the funeral of Iran’s longest-serving supreme leader? New Zealand 105/6 in 32.2 Overs | ENG vs NZ Live, 1st Test Day 4: England tighten grip on Lord’s Test Manav Suthar’s dream debut: First Indian in 25 years to … CDAC Recruitment 2026: Applications open for 951 posts across India— Here’s how to apply before June 20 Manoj Bajpayee recalls ‘Bhonsle’ funding hurdles; Says ‘Joram’ ‘Tested’ him as an actor Chornobyl Nuclear Attack: Chernobyl fuel facility hit: Nuclear fears resurface, Kyiv says Russian attack ‘deliberate’ ‘Triple talaq’ on WhatsApp: Rajasthan woman files case against Kuwait-based husband over divorce message | World News Annamalai quits BJP NEW DELHI: The BJP in Tamil Nadu is back at the crossroads. The exit of Annamalai, its former state chief and arguably one of its most recognisable leaders, has once again raised a question the party has been grappling with for years: Can the BJP grow in Tamil Nadu without a strong local face?While formally ending his association with the saffron party, Annamalai said his views on the state’s political direction no longer aligned with those of the party leadership.For the BJP, Annamalai was more than just a state president. The former IPS officer provided visibility to the party in a state where it has traditionally struggled to find electoral traction. His direct and confrontational style of politics made him popular among younger voters and helped the BJP register some of its best electoral performances in Tamil Nadu.Annamalai in BJP: The timelineThe cop-turned-politician, who joined the BJP in August 2020 inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the party’s ideological outlook, was made the state chief a year later in 2021. The move signalled BJP’s willingness to experiment something new in Tamil Nadu.Unfortunately, his departure now comes at a crucial moment for the BJP. While the party has expanded its vote share in Tamil Nadu over the past few years, it remains far from emerging as a major political force in the state. More importantly, it now finds itself without the leader who became the face of its expansion efforts in the state.What went wrongAt the heart of Annamalai’s exit was a disagreement over how the BJP should grow in Tamil Nadu. While Annamalai believed the party should continue building itself as an independent political force capable of challenging both the DMK and the AIADMK, the BJP leadership increasingly appeared to favour the alliance route.Annamalai was a strong supporter of the BJP’s solo fight in the state. After a good solo show in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Annamalai believed that the BJP needed to continue fighting alone, and not under the shadow of the AIADMK, to help the party gradually spread its presence in Tamil Nadu. But the BJP had other plans. After encouraging Annamalai’s aggressive politics for nearly four years, the saffron party, in the run up to the 2026 assembly elections, buckled under the compulsions of realpolitik and effectively abandoned his solo experiment midway. In 2025, the BJP revived its alliance with the AIADMK. Since Annamalai’s politics was centred around very strong criticism of both the established Dravidian parties — the AIADMK and the DMK – the BJP removed him from the post of state chief to placate the AIADMK.What Annamalai said while announcing resignationThe compulsion of alliance politics took precedence over the BJP’s solo expansion experiment and Annamalai was increasingly sidelined. The former IPS officer not only lost his position as state chief but also found himself increasingly removed from key decisions relating to the assembly election strategy.In his resignation speech, Annamalai revealed that he had informed the BJP about his decision much earlier but was asked to continue till the elections were over. He said he completed his responsibilities before stepping down.In a video, Annamalai said: “I had a difference in opinion. I had been expressing this to the BJP leaders for 18 months. I told the party on 4 December 2025 that I am going to resign and that they should not think that I’ve made the decision hurriedly. The party asked me to wait till the end of the elections and then leave. As a true cadre, I finished my election work till the end.”How BJP responded to Annamalai’s resignationThe remarks made it clear that Annamalai’s exit was not a sudden decision but the culmination of differences that had been brewing within the party for months.Supporters of Annamalai have welcomed his resignation and expressed confidence that he would usher in a “new era” in Tamil Nadu politics. They alleged that internal issues within the BJP had hampered Annamalai’s growth.BJP leadership plays down the impactThe Tamil Nadu BJP leadership, as expected, played down the impact of Annamalai’s exit from the party. State chief Nainar Nagendran dismissed concerns over the resignation and asserted that the BJP was an ideology-based organisation and therefore the departure would have no impact on its electoral prospects in the state.”I cannot comment on Annamalai’s resignation. The BJP is not a party that was formed recently. It is an ideology-based party, and there will certainly be no impact from this development. Anyone is free to start a political party. In a democracy, everyone has that right. Annamalai’s resignation from the BJP will not have any impact on the party. The allegation that importance is not being given to state-level rights is incorrect,” said Nagendran.What the numbers sayAnnamalai’s supporters often point to the BJP’s electoral gains during his tenure to argue that the party’s experiment in Tamil Nadu was beginning to deliver results.When he took over as state president in 2021, the BJP remained a marginal player in Tamil Nadu politics. Over the next few years, however, the party increased its visibility significantly through aggressive campaigning and grassroots outreach.Annamalai undertook a 200-day Padayatra covering all the assembly constituencies in the state and emerged as one of the BJP’s most recognisable faces in Tamil Nadu. His campaigns helped the party expand its reach, particularly among younger voters.The gains were reflected in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when the BJP’s vote share crossed 11%, the highest in its history in the state.BJP’s performance in Tamil NaduYet the results also exposed the BJP’s biggest challenge. Despite the increase in vote share and visibility, the party failed to convert that momentum into parliamentary seats. It is this contradiction that lay at the heart of the debate within the party. While Annamalai viewed the numbers as evidence that the BJP’s long-term expansion strategy was beginning to work, others believed alliances remained the quickest route to relevance in the state.Why local leaders still matter in Tamil NaduThe BJP leadership may insist that ideology matters more than individuals, but Tamil Nadu’s political history tells a different story.Unlike several other states where parties often dominate over personalities, Tamil Nadu’s politics has traditionally revolved around powerful regional leaders. From MGR and Jayalalithaa to Karunanidhi and Stalin, political movements in the state have often been closely identified with leaders who commanded strong public appeal.The 2026 assembly election appears to have reinforced that trend rather than weakened it. Vijay’s TVK, despite being a relatively new political formation, rode on the actor’s popularity to emerge as the state’s new ruling force and upend the traditional political order.Tamil Nadu assembly election results 2026That is what makes Annamalai’s departure significant for the BJP. The party is not merely losing a former state chief. It is losing perhaps the closest thing it had to a mass leader in a state where politics continues to be deeply personality-driven.The real test for BJPIf Tamil Nadu’s political history suggests that leaders matter, the developments following Annamalai’s resignation show why the BJP could find itself facing a difficult road ahead.Several BJP leaders in the state have already resigned to become a part of Annamalai’s new youth-focused movement, ‘We the Leaders’, which is expected to eventually transform into a political party and contest future elections in Tamil Nadu.Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president Karu Nagarajan officially resigned from the party to join Annamalai’s new political movement. Speaking to reporters, Nagarajan said, “Annamalai will emerge as the leader preferred by the people of Tamil Nadu. Several BJP functionaries have voluntarily come forward and expressed their support for Annamalai along with me.”And not just senior leaders. Several young party workers have also openly announced support for Annamalai.Abhilash Gopinathan, the state legal convener of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Tamil Nadu, quit his post and the primary membership of the BJP following Annamalai’s resignation.In his resignation letter, Gopinathan said his decision was influenced by his belief in the leadership and vision of Annamalai.”My decision is driven by my conviction to follow the path and vision of K Annamalai, whose leadership, integrity, and commitment to public life inspired me to enter politics and continue to influence my political journey,” the resignation letter read.The response to Annamalai’s new movement has been equally striking. His newly launched political platform, ‘Idhu Namma Iyakkam’ (This Is Our Movement), attracted more than 10 lakh registrations within 10 hours of its launch after he formally quit the BJP.In a post on X, Annamalai said, “Our political movement has achieved a milestone, with over 10 lakh volunteers registering within just 10 hours. This extraordinary response is a powerful reflection of the growing belief in our shared vision and collective mission.”While it remains to be seen whether this enthusiasm translates into votes, the developments do underline the challenge before the BJP.What next?The BJP’s immediate task will be to prevent further erosion of its support base and reassure cadres unsettled by Annamalai’s departure. The party is expected to continue strengthening its alliance with the AIADMK, which remains its most viable route to electoral relevance in the state.There has also been speculation about possible political realignments following the dramatic churn in Tamil Nadu politics. However, any BJP-DMK understanding appears unlikely at this stage, with the DMK expected to focus on rebuilding its own political space after losing power to Vijay’s TVK.For years, the BJP argued that it was steadily building an independent political identity in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai became the face of that project. His exit now leaves the party with a crucial question: were the gains of the last few years the result of the BJP’s growing organisational strength or were they largely driven by the popularity of one leader?The answer could determine whether the BJP’s long-term ambition of emerging as a major force in Tamil Nadu survives beyond the Annamalai era.About the AuthorPriyanka MukherjeePriyanka Mukherjee is an Assistant News Editor at The Times of India, where deadlines rarely slow down. Often juggling breaking news, long-form explainers and the everyday chaos of the newsroom, she is usually managing stress, chasing clarity and trying to log off on time (rarely successful). She also cares deeply about stories around women’s rights and social change, while two very opinionated dogs make sure she never truly switches off.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosWest Bengal Launches Statewide Madrasa Survey, Seeks Data On Legal Status, Infrastructure And Staff‘Why Congress Tied India’s Fate To Dollar?’: Nishikant Dubey Attacks CongressAdvisories Circulated Among Muslim Youth To ‘Stay Away’ From CJP’s Jantar Mantar ProtestStalin Claims TVK Government Survives On Former DMK Allies’ Support, Vows Political ComebackVijay Launches Sweeping TASMAC Crackdown, Targets Alleged ₹1,600 Crore Revenue Leakage NetworkAmerican Centre Attack 2002: Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh, US Consul General Speak At Kolkata EventIndia, Nepal To Take Bilateral Ties To New Heights; Jaishankar Calls For Decisive Shift In Relations‘Electric Stove Exploded, Then…: What Chef Told Police In Malviya Nagar Hotel Fire‘Below Replacement Level’: Elon Musk Flags India’s Falling Fertility RateLPG Price Hike: Domestic Cooking Gas Rates Raised By Rs 29 In India, Second Hike In 3 Months123PhotostoriesInside Avneet Kaur’s stunning Mumbai home: white-gold interiors, a dream walk-in wardrobe, and more7 Fascinating facts about the honey badger10 ways to enjoy watermelon during summer seasonThis is one of the cheapest countries to visit from India; budget, how to reach, best time to travel and moreCan rainwater cause eye infections? 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