Tamil Nadu BJP president, Tamilisai Soundarajan today said that Kerala cannot construct a check dam across Siruvani without the approval of Tamil Nadu.

The BJP-led government at the centre has not given approval to construct the dam, but has only allowed it to carry out environmental impact assessment, Tamilisai told reporters in Coimbatore. “Without the approval of Tamil Nadu, Kerala government cannot build a dam across Siruvani, the lifeline of three districts, including Coimbatore,” she said, adding that the Tamil Nadu BJP will register its strong protest against the dam construction.

On the protests and agitation by the people of Karnataka over the Cauvery issue, Tamilisai said that people were suffering due to the bandh and closure of shops and business establishments.

“Of the 34 TMC of water due to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka was releasing only 12 TMC, which is not enough for the state farmers,” she said.