'I proposed the talks': TN CM Vijay breaks silence on Cauvery issue

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday, Aug 7th said he had proposed talks with Karnataka on the Cauvery water dispute in the hope of finding a positive solution, while asserting that his government's legal position on the issue remained unchanged.

Speaking in the Assembly, Vijay said he did not want to indulge in "cheap politics" over the Cauvery dispute and reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu would continue to pursue the matter through legal channels.

Responding to Leader of the Opposition Udhyanidhi Stalin, the chief minister said Tamil Nadu had explored both dialogue and legal remedies since 1969 in dealing with the inter-state river dispute.

Vijay said he considered travelling to Bengaluru for talks because he believed dialogue could help break the impasse.

"I thought, what if talks are held with the neighbouring state, as even sworn enemies hold dialogue to resolve issues," he said.

The chief minister added that he was prepared to "bear insults" if engaging with Karnataka served the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.

Quoting former Congress leader P. G. Karuthiruman, Vijay said the Cauvery dispute must be handled with caution and acknowledged that his proposal for talks had drawn differing opinions.