3 weeks ago
Vijay rules out all-party meet, willing to bear insults
The Cauvery is a big river in southern India that many farmers depend on for water.
The neighbouring state of Karnataka wants to build a large dam on it, called the Mekedatu Dam.
Tamil Nadu worries the dam could take away water it needs.
The leader of Tamil Nadu, Vijay, said his state will not give up its water rights.
He said the problem should be solved through the law and the courts.
Vijay also said he is ready to talk with Karnataka, even if he has to 'bear insults'.
He has already written a letter to India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, explaining his state's position.
The opposition leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin, wants all political parties to sit together and discuss the issue.
But Vijay says there is no need for such a meeting.
Udhayanidhi also asked Vijay to meet farmers in the river's delta area, because the amount of farmland being cultivated there has dropped a lot.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay rejected the Opposition's demand for an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu Dam dispute, saying there was 'no need' for one.
Vijay said the proposal to hold talks with Karnataka was his own idea and that he was 'prepared to bear insults' for the benefit of Tamil Nadu, having considered visiting Bengaluru.
Vijay reaffirmed that his government will not compromise on Cauvery water rights and remains committed to pursuing the dispute through legal means.
He said his government's stand had been conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter and accused the Opposition of politicising the issue.
Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin challenged the refusal, asked Vijay to meet Delta district farmers, and cited a fall in cultivation from 6.8 lakh to 1.5 lakh acres.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Vijay ruled out an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu Dam dispute, reaffirmed the legal route for the Cauvery issue, and said he is willing to 'bear insults' and hold talks with Karnataka, including travelling to Bengaluru.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai; the dispute concerns Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River
- When
- Friday, August 7, 2026, during a session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly
- Why
- Udhayanidhi Stalin and other parties sought an all-party meeting over Karnataka's Mekedatu bid, while Vijay says the government's stand is clear and the issue should not be politicised.
Tamil Nadu Government Perspective
Opposition (DMK-led) Perspective
All-party meeting on Mekedatu
Tamil Nadu Government Perspective
Vijay says there is 'no need' to convene an all-party meeting, as the government's stand has already been conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter and it will pursue the matter through legal means.
Opposition (DMK-led) Perspective
Udhayanidhi Stalin says all political parties in Tamil Nadu, like those in Karnataka, should present a united front and asks why the government is avoiding an all-party meeting despite repeated demands; PMK MLA Sowmya Anbumani also backed the demand.
Approach to the Cauvery dispute
Tamil Nadu Government Perspective
Vijay says the government will not compromise on Cauvery water rights, is firmly committed to the legal route, accuses the Opposition of 'cheap politics', and says talks with Karnataka were his own idea, as even sworn-enemy nations hold dialogue.
Opposition (DMK-led) Perspective
Udhayanidhi notes Vijay once criticised the DMK for writing a letter to the Prime Minister, questions how the government plans to resolve the issue, and points to conflicting statements and postponement over Vijay's proposed visit to Karnataka.
Arrest and the visit to Karnataka
Tamil Nadu Government Perspective
Vijay accuses the Opposition of politicising the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues and does not want to 'indulge in cheap politics' by raising past history.
Opposition (DMK-led) Perspective
Udhayanidhi says his arrest over remarks involving Vijay and actor Trisha was a 'diversionary tactic' to stop him raising the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues, maintaining his remarks were about the Cauvery River, not an individual.
Key facts
- Chief Minister
- C Joseph Vijay
- Leader of Opposition
- Udhayanidhi Stalin
- Ruling party
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)
- Core dispute
- Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River
- Government stance
- No all-party meeting; pursue Cauvery issue through legal means; no compromise on water rights
- Action taken
- Stand conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by letter
- Planned move
- Talks proposed with Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar; Vijay 'prepared to bear insults'
- Delta cultivation
- Down from 6.8 lakh acres under the previous government to 1.5 lakh acres now (per Udhayanidhi Stalin)
Quotes
Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin
Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu
“There is no need to convene an all-party meeting. Please do not play politics on the Mekedatu dam issue. Whatever our stand may be, we have expressed it through a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
thestatesman.com
“I am only asking why an all-party meeting has not been convened. When we were in government, the present Chief Minister criticised us for writing a letter to the Prime Minister.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay rules out all-party meet on Mekedatu, tells Opposition not to ‘play politics’ over Cauvery
Tamil Nadu: Day Of Stormy Debates In Assembly
'No need for all-party meet on Mekedatu': Tamil Nadu CM Vijay says he was willing to 'bear insults' for Cauvery talks
'Prepared To Bear Insults,' Says Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Over Discussion With Udhayanidhi Over Cauvery Dispute
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