I can be whatever the two state govts want me to be, to resolve Cauvery crisis: Kamal Hassan

BENGALURU: Cine actor and founder of the newly floated political party Makkal Needhi Maiam, Kamal Hassan on Monday said he was ready to don any role the two state governments want, to mediate a resolution for the Cauvery river crisis.

After a brief meeting with chief minister Kumaraswamy, at his official residence of Krishna in Bengaluru, Hassan said: “I can be a squirrel, I can be a bridge and I can even be a slipper of the people to resolve any crisis between the two states. But the primary thing to move forward on any issue is that there needs to be an intent among the people of the two states to resolve the issues.”

Hassan said that the primary issue discussed by the two was with regard to the setting up of the Cauvery management authority (CMA), which has been vehemently opposed by the Karnataka government.

Kumaraswamy, who also spoke to the media, said that his government was ready to speak to the Tamil Nadu government provided that government came forward to speak to him.

“The farmers of both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu depend upon the Cauvery and the only thing that can resolve the matter is by mutual consent. I am ready for talks, if the Tamil Nadu government is ready. Our intent is also to protect farmers,” he said.

Hassan told the media that his visit was not politically motivated and was being made as a representative of the people.

The cine actor, who has entered politics recently, cited that the courts were always the last resort to resolve issues.

“However, we have already gone to court and the best way to move forward is to ensure that people from both the state come together. I see hope in the conversation that I had with the CM,” he said.

TN Farmers told by CM HDK water is unavailable and courts will decide

A farmer delegation from Tamil Nadu on Monday afternoon met chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to discuss the release of Cauvery water for that state. Having arrived on Monday morning to Kumaraswamy’s home in J P Nagar, the farmers were re-routed by the CM to come to Krishna to speak to him.

Later, upon speaking with them, it is said Kumaraswamy tried to explain the ground situation that the state did not have much water to spare for TN and that the matter was in the courts, thereby binding his hands for further action.

Mutual relations are important than movie release: Hassan

Kamal Hassan on Monday said mutual relations between the two states for resolving issues are more important than concerns of the release of the Tamil movie and Rajinikanth starrer Kaala.

After speaking to chief minister Kumaraswamy, Hassan said there was not a single word spoken about the matter as he was not connected with it.

“Not a word was spoken on the issue. They are two different issues. There is a chamber (FKCCI) and a business community which will address the matter. There should be mutual relations between the two states, and that is more important than movies if you ask me,” he said.