Actor and politician Kamal Haasan met Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy here on Monday and discussed the issue of sharing Cauvery river water among the riparian States.
Mr. Kumaraswamy told mediapersons after the meeting that maintaining a harmonious relation between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, apart from expediting the resolution of the dispute, keeping the interests of farmers of both the States in mind were discussed.
Mr. Haasan said he came as a representative of Tamil Nadu people and not as an actor or political leader. “I’m ready to be the bridge between the two States. We need water for short-term (kuruvai) paddy crop. Mr. Kumaraswamy has responded positively and I’m going back reassured.”
On the legal route, he said courts should be the last resort. He said he was heartened by Mr. Kumaraswamy’s response on expediting the Cauvery Water Management Authority. “I’m happy that Mr. Kumaraswamy is looking at it in the same manner,” he said.
Though the case pertaining to water sharing is being heard by the Supreme Court, he said: “What is important is that people of both the States come together. The way forward will be found by people with the mindset to go forward. Mine is a new party, a child. We are here not to talk about movies,” said Mr. Haasan, who recently launched his own party Makkal Needhi Maiam.
Opposition
However, the delegation of farmers from Tamil Nadu, which met Mr. Kumaraswamy, disagreed with Mr. Haasan’s standpoint. Seven farmers from the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association Joint Action Committee were in the city to meet Mr. Kumaraswamy. They said they were on a courtesy visit and maintained that the two States have to abide by the Supreme Court verdict on sharing Cauvery water.
“The apex court has said the Cauvery Management Board has to be constituted. We agree that farmers of both States are brothers. But let us not go back to the drawing board... both States are obligated to abide by the court directions,” said a member of the delegation.
I’m willing for talks if T.N. is ready: HDK
Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday said he was willing to hold talks with Tamil Nadu on resolving the Cauvery row if their government was ready. He was speaking after meeting actor and politician Kamal Haasan.