DMK president M.K. Stalin is likely to press for Congress Party’s support in its attempt to restrain neighbouring Karnataka from constructing the Mekedatu Dam across Cauvery in its territory as it might adversely affect the farming community, numbering lakhs, in Tamil Nadu’s Delta Districts.

Stalin and his close aides are in Delhi since Saturday morning when they wished senior Congress leader and former party president Sonia Gandhi a happy birthday. An impromptu meeting, in which Congress president Rahul Gandhi was also present, was also held at Sonia’s residence ahead of the grand meeting of Congress and its allies to be held in New Delhi today (10th December).

Sonia, who is the president of the United Progressive Front (UPF) comprising Congress and its allies, was also invited by Stalin to visit Chennai on Sunday (16th December) to attend the function to unveil the statue of the late DMK president M. Karunanidhi. Stalin is also scheduled to meet various other political leaders to invite them to attend the function.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi’s Monday meeting with all like-minded parties and allies from various States is to chalk out a broader strategy to fight the BJP under a united front during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls slated to be held in April/May next year. At the meeting, Stalin is likely to request Sonia to use her good offices to restrain the Kumaraswamy-led Karnataka Govt. (which survives with Congress’ outside support) from constructing the Mekedatu Dam across Cauvery as it would adversely affect the lives of millions of Tamil Nadu farmers.

Stalin is also likely to impress upon Sonia Gandhi not to get carried away by Kumaraswamy’s claim that the proposed Rs.5,912 crore project was intended mainly to nurture drinking water resources and to meet Karnataka’s power needs.