Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Friday defended his push for direct talks with Karnataka over the Cauvery dispute, telling the Assembly that he was prepared to face even “humiliation” if an attempt at dialogue could help protect the state’s interests. Vijay made the remarks as he clashed with Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin over the Mekedatu dam issue in the Assembly.
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In a heated exchange, Vijay outrightly rejected Udhayanidhi’s demand for an all-party meeting and insisted that Tamil Nadu would not compromise on its rights over Cauvery water. He also cautioned the Opposition against turning the contentious inter-state dispute into a political battle.
“There is no need to convene an all-party meeting. Please do not play politics on the Mekedatu dam issue,” Vijay said, responding to Leader of the Opposition’s demand that the government bring all political parties together to demonstrate Tamil Nadu’s united opposition to Karnataka’s proposed dam.
Vijay said the government had taken note of the Opposition’s views on the Cauvery issue and stressed that it had no intention of politicising a matter to which the people of Tamil Nadu have an emotional attachment.
The Chief Minister added all parties had earlier come together to pass a resolution on Mekedatu and that the state’s position had subsequently been conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the government did not stop there and later wrote to the Prime Minister citing the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and relevant legal provisions while urging the Centre not to allow the project.
“Whatever our stand may be, we have expressed it through a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our government will not compromise on its rights regarding the river water issue or the Mekedatu dam issue,” Vijay said.
Responding to Udhayanidhi, Vijay also traced Tamil Nadu’s handling of the Cauvery dispute over the decades, referring to discussions in the Assembly dating back to 1969. He said the state’s approach over the years had ranged from considering dialogue to pursuing legal remedies.
Vijay, however, said he did not want to invoke the past to score political points or question who was responsible for decisions taken decades ago.
“I do not want to indulge in cheap politics by bringing up past history. Do not think about who will gain politically or who will take credit for this issue,” he said.
The Chief Minister maintained that his government’s position on pursuing the Cauvery issue legally remained unchanged and that Tamil Nadu would continue to strongly defend its rights.
Acknowledging that it was he who had proposed an attempt to directly engage with Karnataka, Vijay said the initiative should not be interpreted as a departure from Tamil Nadu’s legal position on the Cauvery dispute. Rather, he said, he wanted to explore whether talks with the neighbouring state could offer even a possibility of resolving the issue.
Vijay further added some had questioned what would happen if the proposed initiative resulted in an embarrassment or humiliation for Tamil Nadu, but said he was prepared to take that risk for the state’s people.
“If that happens, I am prepared to bear even that humiliation for the sake of the people of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Udhayanidhi, however, questioned why the Vijay government was reluctant to convene an all-party meeting when the Karnataka government had taken a similar step.
“Karnataka is keen on constructing the Mekedatu dam. Regarding this issue, the Karnataka government has been taking steps forward. Like the Karnataka government, we should also demonstrate that we are united against the construction of the Mekedatu dam,” Udhayanidhi said.
The DMK leader said political parties in Tamil Nadu had been urging the government to call an all-party meeting and sought a categorical response from Vijay on whether such a meeting would be convened.
Udhayanidhi also sought clarity over Vijay’s proposed visit to Karnataka, pointing to differing statements from the government. He said the Agriculture Minister had announced that Vijay would visit Karnataka, while another minister subsequently said the proposal was still under consideration. He also referred to the Karnataka Chief Minister’s statement asking Vijay not to visit the state.
“Will you convene an all-party meeting or not? Will the Chief Minister plan to visit Karnataka or not?” Udhayanidhi asked.
The two leaders also sparred over a special package announced by the government. Vijay hit out at the Opposition, saying he could not understand how those in politics were unaware that a special package was being distributed and remarked that they would have known about it had they read newspapers.
Udhayanidhi hit back, referring to a Rs 134-crore special package and drought relief funds, and said the government should provide details of the assistance distributed.
“This doesn’t need reading newspapers,” he said.
Udhayanidhi also raised the TVK’s election promise to waive farm loans, saying that if the government needed more time to implement the assurance, it should specify how much time was required.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
