In Cauvery row, Stalin urges Tamil Nadu CM to convene all-party meet

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday asked Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay whether he would convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Cauvery water dispute, even as the neighbouring State of Karnataka displayed political unity on the issue.

In a social media post, Mr. Stalin noted that the Karnataka Chief Minister had initially invited Mr. Vijay for talks but later asked him not to visit and instead convened an all-party meeting on August 2. “This shows that all political parties in Karnataka are united on the Cauvery issue,” he said.

Recalling his earlier advice that talks with Karnataka would not help Tamil Nadu, Mr. Stalin reiterated that a legal battle was the only way to deal with a State that had consistently denied Tamil Nadu its rightful share of Cauvery water. “Karnataka treats Tamil Nadu as a destination only for surplus water. But Mr. Vijay appears to have believed that he could secure water by holding talks,” he added.

Mr. Stalin pointed out that Karnataka had asked Mr. Vijay not to visit after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) directed the State to release water to Tamil Nadu. “We anticipated these developments and therefore urged the Chief Minister to convene an all-party meeting. Will he do so now?” he asked.

The Cauvery water sharing dispute is a long-standing issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with multiple legal rulings and tribunal awards over the decades. The CWMA, established under the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, oversees the release of water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu as per the monthly schedule.

Tamil Nadu has repeatedly sought the intervention of the Supreme Court and the CWMA to ensure the release of its due share. The State has argued that Karnataka has failed to comply with the mandated allocations, particularly in years of deficient rainfall. Karnataka, on the other hand, maintains that its own drinking water and irrigation needs must be prioritised.

Mr. Vijay, who assumed office earlier this year, had indicated a willingness to engage with Karnataka through dialogue. He had accepted an initial invitation from the Karnataka Chief Minister to discuss the issue, but the visit was later called off amidst the CWMA directive and political developments in Karnataka.

The DMK chief's demand for an all-party meeting is seen as an attempt to build a unified political front in Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue, similar to the consensus shown by Karnataka's political parties. Whether Mr. Vijay will heed the call remains to be seen, as his government has not yet responded publicly.

Political observers note that the Cauvery issue has historically been a sensitive topic in both States, capable of influencing electoral outcomes. Any decision taken by the Tamil Nadu government, whether to pursue legal remedies or continue diplomatic efforts, will be closely watched.