The political row over the Cauvery dispute escalated on Sunday after Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law R. Nirmalkumar alleged that Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar takes political instructions from the DMK leadership rather than his own party.
The remarks came days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay proposed direct talks with Karnataka over the Cauvery issue. The meeting was postponed after Karnataka cited the prevailing atmosphere following the Cauvery Water Management Authority's order directing the state to release water to Tamil Nadu.
Addressing reporters, Nirmalkumar claimed Shivakumar "does not listen even to the Congress leadership" and instead listens to DMK president M.K. Stalin. He alleged that the Karnataka chief minister shared a close political relationship with the DMK leadership.
The minister also accused the DMK of trying to portray Vijay as politically isolated after Stalin criticised the proposed Karnataka visit. He alleged that the opposition party moved the Supreme Court over the Cauvery dispute after the state government had already begun preparations to approach the apex court.
Questioning the DMK's record, Nirmalkumar asked whether the party had filed any petition on the Cauvery issue during its five years in office.
He also criticised the AIADMK for challenging the Assembly resolution on the Cauvery dispute despite supporting it unanimously in the House, asking why the party objected after backing the resolution during the debate.
Nirmalkumar further referred to the alleged horse-trading investigation involving attempts to poach TVK legislators and claimed that a substantial portion of the seized money had originated from Bengaluru. He suggested the investigation reinforced suspicions about the closeness between Shivakumar and the DMK leadership. However, he did not present any evidence publicly linking Shivakumar to the alleged transfer of funds.
The remarks mark a sharp shift in tone after the Tamil Nadu government's earlier attempt to initiate dialogue with Karnataka over the Cauvery dispute.