Bengaluru/ Chennai: Sending a strong message to Tamil Nadu BJP unit President K. Annamalai who resorted hunger strike against the Mekedatu project, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai categorically said that Karnataka will take up the project as early as possible. 

Speaking to reporters at BJP party officer after inducting BSP MLA, N. Mahesh to the party on Thursday, Mr. Bommai said, Tamil Nadu is politicizing the issue, and it had a practice of objecting to every project of Karnataka. Not only my party, all political system of Tamil Nadu objecting Karnataka's irrigation projects", the Chief Minister also said. 

Cutting across the party line, Tamil Nadu protesting Karnataka's projects. As per Supreme Court order, we have to give 6 tmc of water for drinking purposes to Bengaluru and the project is also envisioned to generate 400 MW power once it is completed, the Chief Minister said. 

"There is no compromise in Mekedatu project, Karnataka has firm in its decision to implement the project once getting clearances from the Centre. I am confident to get clearances from the Centre as early as possible. I have met the Union Ministry of Jalashakti, requesting him to give clearances for the project. Very soon DPR will be approved and the project will be taken up at the earliest", Mr. Bommai said. 

Read: Stalin to convene all-party meet on Mekedatu dam

Chief Minister said that he has not bothered about his own party President's protest against the project. "It is not my concern, we have not bothered about such kind of protests. Our aim is to complete the project as per Supreme Court order", he replied. 

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu BJP President, K. Annamalai staged a hunger strike, urging the Centre not to give a nod for the Mekedatu project. He said that for taking up the project, Tamil Nadu's permission is deemed necessary. 

KPCC workers have staged a protest against the Tamil Nadu BJP President staging a protest over the Mekedatu project.