Stalin Urges Tamil Nadu CM to Abandon Karnataka Talks on Cauvery Dispute

DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to cancel his planned visit to Karnataka for talks on the state's rights over the Cauvery river waters, calling the decision 'misguided'.

In a statement, Stalin argued that if Karnataka refuses to release water to Tamil Nadu, it amounts to contempt of court. He also said Karnataka's proposal to construct a dam at Mekedatu violates the Supreme Court's final verdict on the matter.

'Before taking any further steps on an issue as vital as the Cauvery dispute, the Chief Minister should consult all political parties and representatives of farmers' associations,' Stalin said.

Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery have a long history and have been firmly established through the legal process. He urged Vijay to understand the breadth and depth of the issue before proceeding with such an initiative.

The DMK leader raised doubts about whether the proposed talks are merely an eyewash, noting that the Congress party is in power in Karnataka and is also a constituent of the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu. 'The visit will serve no purpose other than enabling the government to claim that it made a direct effort by travelling to Karnataka for talks,' he said.

Stalin questioned why the Chief Minister had 'fallen into Karnataka's trap,' charging that the neighbouring state's objective is to dilute Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery waters. He added that delta farmers are furious over the decision to hold talks.

Recalling the DMK government's earlier stand, Stalin said it had rejected suggestions to hold direct talks with Karnataka because the state had repeatedly failed to honour its commitments and would only prolong the dispute. 'The proposal to construct the Mekedatu dam itself amounts to rejecting Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery. It has always been our stand that there is no purpose in holding talks with Karnataka on this issue,' he said.

The Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is a decades-old conflict over the sharing of river waters. The Supreme Court delivered a final verdict in 2018, allocating specific shares to each state. Karnataka's plan to build a dam at Mekedatu has been a point of contention, with Tamil Nadu arguing it would reduce its share of water.

Chief Minister Vijay had announced his intention to visit Karnataka for discussions, seeking a resolution through dialogue. However, Stalin's opposition highlights deep political divisions over the issue and the sensitivity of water rights in the region.