TN CM Vijay defers Bengaluru visit amid Cauvery tensions
Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay has agreed to postpone his Cauvery-related visit to Bengaluru following a request from the Karnataka Government, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said on Sunday, describing the gesture as one that would help maintain a cordial atmosphere between the two states.
Shivakumar, who was supposed to hold discussions with Joseph Vijay over the inter-State dispute here on Monday, said the latter has agreed to postpone his visit in view of the prevailing situation.
The CM had earlier appealed to Vijay to defer his visit so as to hold talks in a more conducive atmosphere.
Shivakumar said he had requested Vijay to defer the visit as emotions were running high in Karnataka.
“I have great respect for him. Though he may be new to politics, he is a courageous leader. I congratulated him on his bold decision. Whatever our political differences may be, he wanted to come to Karnataka. I only requested that we meet in a better and more cordial atmosphere because I don’t want anyone shouting against my friends. We should respect each other. We have to live together and work together. Ultimately, India is one,” Shivakumar told reporters after chairing an all-party meeting on Cauvery row.
Shivakumar had on Friday appealed to his Tamil Nadu counterpart to defer his August 3 visit to Bengaluru in view of the charged atmosphere in the State following the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s decision upholding the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s direction to Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
His appeal had come amid widespread protests across Karnataka, particularly in Mandya, where demonstrators tore posters of Vijay’s recently released film Jananayagan and forced theatres at some places to halt its screening.
Shivakumar had said the State Government had initially prepared to host the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for talks but had decided to seek a postponement to ensure the meeting takes place in a peaceful atmosphere after consultations with his Cabinet colleagues and legal team.
