TN Assembly Sees Vijay-Udhaya Face-Off Over Cauvery Talks

Tamil Nadu Leader of Opposition, Udhayanidhi Stalin, called for an all-party meeting amid a row over Karnataka's bid to build the Mekedatu Dam over the Cauvery River, while Chief Minister Vijay said there was "no need" and assured of the government's commitment on the issue.

The ruling and the opposition camps locked horns over the Mekedatu Dam row in the Assembly on Friday.

Udhayanidhi Stalin said that like Karnataka, all parties in Tamil Nadu should also demonstrate that they were united on the issue. Stalin also slammed Vijay for postponing his Karnataka visit.

He said, "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. In Tamil Nadu, all political parties are urging the government to convene an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu dam issue. Everyone is asking why the Tamil Nadu government is avoiding convening an all-party meeting on this matter."

"The Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister said that Chief Minister Vijay would visit Karnataka, while another minister said that the matter was still under consideration. Later, the Karnataka Chief Minister said that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister should not come to Karnataka. Will you convene an all-party meeting or not? Will the Chief Minister plan to visit Karnataka or not?" Udhayanidhi questioned the TVK government.

Objecting to the LoP's statement on Vijay's Karnataka visit, Leader of the House, Sengottaiyan said, "Only the Mekedatu issue should be discussed. Do not raise misleading or incorrect information. It would not be appropriate to speak politically on this matter."As Chief Minister Vijay began addressing the House, senior AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami raised an objection, insisting that the party leaders should also be allowed to speak.

CM Vijay, meanwhile, replied that there was no need for an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu Dam and the Cauvery water dispute, and urged the opposition not to "play politics."

Addressing the Assembly, Vijay slammed the Opposition parties and assured that the TVK-led government will "not compromise on the rights regarding the Cauvery water issue."He said, "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. Our government will not compromise on its rights regarding the river water issue or the Mekedatu dam issue. 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."

"We are firmly committed to pursuing the Cauvery issue through legal means," he added.Tamil Nadu minister CTR Nirmal Kumar said, "On behalf of the CM, on Delimitation issue, all MPs meeting is been convened tomorrow. Will DMK MPs participate in it?"Stalin called it an attempt to divert from the issue, when the DMK had called for an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu dam. "We have asked to call for the Mekedatu issue and farmers' loan issue, but now the minister is trying to divert that issue," the Leader of Opposition said.

Minister Aadhav Arjuna stated, "Former Chief Minister MK Stalin filed review petitions three times regarding the Karnataka government's Mekedatu issue. However, all three petitions were dismissed. Let the Leader of the Opposition respond to this."DMK leader KN Nehru hit back, stating that the past government took action without delay. He said, "They only said that they would seek more time from the Supreme Court; that is all. There is no need to make unnecessary claims that we were afraid for three years. When we talk about our unity over the Mekedatu dam issue, we should not fight among ourselves. Former Chief Minister MK Stalin took action on the Mekedatu issue without delaying even for a single day."

PMK MLA Sowmya Anbumani also called for an all-party meeting and asked the Tamil Nadu government to take the resolutions to Delhi.