Chennai:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, replying in the Assembly on the Cauvery issue, said he was prepared to face even “humiliation” if it meant securing justice for the state’s farmers through dialogue with Karnataka.
Defending his proposal to hold talks in Bengaluru, Vijay stressed that protecting Tamil Nadu’s water rights was more important than political image, adding that his government would pursue every possible avenue—including negotiations—to resolve the long-standing Cauvery dispute. His remarks come amid attempts to arrange a meeting with Karnataka leadership, which was later postponed due to an “unfavourable atmosphere.”
The Chief Minister also pushed back against criticism from opposition parties, arguing that the issue should not be politicised and reiterating that the welfare of farmers remains the government’s top priority. The Cauvery dispute continues to remain a sensitive inter-state issue, often triggering political tensions and protests in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Vijay’s Assembly statement has since triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition leaders questioning the approach, while the ruling side defended it as a pragmatic and people-centric stand aimed at ensuring water security for the state.