Karnataka postpones meeting with Tamil Nadu on Mekedatu project
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The Karnataka government has postponed the proposed August 3 meeting between Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on the Mekedatu project, citing the tense atmosphere following the Cauvery Water Management Authority's (CWMA) latest order directing Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu.
"The atmosphere is not right at this point of time. I'm appealing to him to let us postpone the visit for some time because we should have a very cordial atmosphere," Shivakumar said.
He said the Tamil Nadu government had approached the Karnataka Chief Secretary to hold a meeting on various issues concerning the two states. The meeting was scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on August 3.
Shivakumar said the meeting would be held later in a "cool, calm and cordial atmosphere" and expressed hope that both states would benefit.
"I want both the states to benefit from it. I don't want any heartburns. Tamil Nadu has its farmers, and Karnataka has its farmers. We are all in one country," he said.
Defending the Mekedatu project, Shivakumar said the proposed balancing reservoir would also benefit Tamil Nadu.
"Mekedatu is more beneficial to Tamil Nadu than to us, except for power generation. We are bound to implement the Supreme Court's order and act according to the law," he said.
On Karnataka's response to the CWMA's direction, Shivakumar said the government would consult Opposition leaders and seek legal advice before deciding its next course of action.
"I have to take the Opposition leaders into confidence, seek legal advice, and then take a call," he said.
Appealing against the proposed bandh over the issue, Shivakumar urged organisations not to inconvenience the public.
"Bandhs will not solve the problem. Let us not do anything that affects the common man's interests," he said.