MK Stalin Criticises Vijay's Cauvery Stand, Seeks All-Party Meeting

DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday urged Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to convene an all-party meeting before initiating any discussions with Karnataka on the Cauvery water dispute. Arguing that the long-standing inter-state issue requires a united political approach, Stalin criticised what he described as the Chief Minister's "unilateral diplomacy" and said any engagement with Karnataka should be preceded by consultations with political parties, farmers' organisations and other stakeholders in Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, Stalin questioned the state government's decision to pursue direct talks with Karnataka without first building a consensus within Tamil Nadu. Referring to the proposed discussions over the contentious Mekedatu dam project, he said the DMK had previously cautioned the government against engaging in bilateral talks without a clear strategy. According to Stalin, Tamil Nadu's interests are better protected through legal mechanisms and established institutional processes rather than unilateral political initiatives.

Stalin also recalled past disputes over the sharing of Cauvery waters, stating that Karnataka had repeatedly maintained its inability to release water to Tamil Nadu during periods of shortage. He claimed that the DMK had warned the government that direct engagement with Karnataka could prove ineffective, particularly when the neighbouring state had previously opposed water releases even after directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA). He argued that these developments reinforced the need for a coordinated political strategy before entering fresh negotiations.

Also Read: Bengaluru To Host First Cauvery Talks Between Karnataka And Tamil Nadu In Years

Questioning the rationale behind the proposed talks, Stalin pointed out that Karnataka had convened an all-party meeting on the issue and asked when the Tamil Nadu government would adopt a similar approach. He urged Chief Minister Vijay to call an all-party meeting to formulate a common position before engaging with Karnataka, saying such a move would ensure that the state's interests are represented collectively and strengthen Tamil Nadu's negotiating position.

The Cauvery water dispute remains one of India's most contentious inter-state river-sharing issues, with disagreements continuing over water allocation and Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project. Tamil Nadu has consistently maintained that any upstream development should not reduce its legally allocated share of Cauvery waters, while the matter continues to be addressed through judicial proceedings and statutory bodies such as the Cauvery Water Management Authority. The issue remains politically sensitive and central to relations between the two southern states.

Also Read: All-Party Meeting Sees INDIA Bloc Exit Over Presence Of NCPI Leaders