Karnataka approaches Tamil Nadu for mutual settlement of Cauvery tangle

In a new twist to the dispute over sharing of Cauvery waters, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has approached his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi with a proposal to hold mutual talks and arrive at a negotiated settlement to the century-old row between the two states.

Kumaraswamy told reporters in Bangalore that he spoke to Karunanidhi over the phone on Monday and mooted the idea of holding mutual talks over the sharing of Cauvery waters between the two states. “The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has responded positively to the idea”, Kumaraswamy claimed.

The Karnataka Chief Minister said he would soon finalize a date for the crucial talks with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. “The mutual talks could take place in the next eight to ten days”, he said.

Before the talks with Tamil Nadu, Kumaraswamy said he would hold a meeting with irrigation experts, legal experts and leaders of various political parties in Karnataka. “We have to decide whether it would be one-to-one meeting between the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu or whether a delegation from Karnataka would meet Karunanidhi”, he said.

Kumaraswamy said he had telephoned Karunanidhi on Monday to wish him on the occasion of Ugadi, celebrated as the New Year day in Karnataka, and broached the Cauvery issue. During the course of the conversation, Kumaraswamy said he had brought to the notice of Karunanidhi the problems farmers in Karnataka would face on account of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal’s final order delivered recently.

Responding to questions from reporters, Kumaraswamy said Karnataka would continue to pursue the legal course by moving the Supreme Court and filing a review petition before the Tribunal on the Cauvery issue, independent of the mutual talks with Tamil Nadu.

Kumaraswamy’s decision to pursue the path of mutual talks to resolve the Cauvery tangle has been welcomed by its coalition partner BJP.

Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said his party favoured talks between the Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to find an amicable solution to the century-old dispute over sharing of Cauvery waters between the two states. “The dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery waters can be solved only through talks”, he said.