Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday said there would be no compromise on the Cauvery issue or on fighting against the construction of the Mekedatu dam in Karnataka, adding that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) had no intention of playing politics over the dam issue.
“On the Cauvery issue, some members have asked for details. Cauvery is our lifeline; it is an emotional issue for us,” Vijay said in his first comments on the issue during the state assembly session on Friday.
Also Read | ‘Ready to face insults’: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay amid face-off with Udhayanidhi over Cauvery dispute
Tamil Nadu assembly's unanimous resolution
Recalling that the Tamil Nadu assembly passed an unanimous resolution in June and sent it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijay said: “On learning that the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti did not mention full details regarding the dam, we immediately wrote another letter to the Prime Minister the very next day quoting the rules and clauses of the Cauvery Tribunal’s final verdict and the Supreme Court’s final verdict, stating that no legal or administrative approval should be granted for the construction of the dam at Mekedatu.”
He underscored that whether on sharing Cauvery river water with Karnataka or stopping the construction of the dam at Mekedatu, his government would not yield even a fraction of Tamil Nadu’s rights. “That is our clear stand,” Vijay said.
{{/usCountry}}He underscored that whether on sharing Cauvery river water with Karnataka or stopping the construction of the dam at Mekedatu, his government would not yield even a fraction of Tamil Nadu’s rights. “That is our clear stand,” Vijay said.
{{/usCountry}}Also Read | A duel whose name was writ on Cauvery waters
Vijay vs Udhyanidhi Stalin on Cauvery issue
Responding to the leader of the opposition from DMK, Udhyanidhi Stalin, who raised the Cauvery issue and targeted the ruling party in a special calling attention motion, Vijay traced how Tamil Nadu had handled the issue since 1969 -- from considering dialogue to sticking to legal recourse.
Vijay said that his government is firm on dealing with the Cauvery issue legally and that there is no change about it.
Opposition leader Stalin pointed out that political parties in Karnataka stand united despite political differences on the issue and that is why he has been demanding the ruling TVK government convene an all-party meeting.
Also Read | TN minister rejects demand for all-party meeting to discuss Cauvery water issue
Stalin, speaking on the Cauvery-Mekedatu issue, asked, “What is your fear and hesitation in holding the all-party meeting? He said Karnataka had shown unity, held an all-party meeting on the issue and considered stakeholders’ representations.
On the CM’s comments that the Kuruvai cultivation relief package had been granted, Stalin said: “The special package you provided to farmers is ₹134 crore which is a standard special package provided. Now, the farmers are asking for drought relief funds, one must understand the difference between these two.”