Cauvery Dispute Marks First Major Test For CM Vijay As TVK Denies All-Party Meeting; DMK Calls Protest On August 3

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay faces his first major political test since taking office as the long-standing Cauvery water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka has flared up once again, sending the state's political landscape into a tailspin.

The Opposition has intensified pressure on the TVK government to convene an all-party meeting to address the issue. However, the government has rejected the demand, alleging that the Opposition is using the issue to create political trouble for the Chief Minister rather than protecting the state's genuine interests.

ALSO READ: Cauvery Dispute: DMK Moves To Supreme Court, Seeks Release Of Water For Tamil Nadu From Karnataka

TVK Questions Need For All-Party Meeting, Accuses Opposition Of Political Motives

The ruling TVK said that holding an all-party meeting serves little purpose when Opposition parties approach the issue with political motives.

The response comes after the DMK questioned Vijay's reluctance to convene an all-party talk. The DMK pointed out that neighbouring Karnataka has already held an all-party meeting over the Mekedatu Dam issue, a move that has intensified pressure on the Tamil Nadu government to adopt a similar approach.

Dismissing the demand, senior TVK leader CTR Nirmal Kumar emphasised that the issue had already been discussed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, NDTV reported.

"A resolution was passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly with the support of all political parties. Under these circumstances, what is the necessity for an all-party meeting? The DMK is merely attempting to create trouble for our Chief Minister rather than focusing on the welfare of Tamil Nadu," Nirmal Kumar said, further alleging that the Karnataka Chief Minister has close ties with the DMK's top leadership.

TVK Appears To Adopt Different Strategy on Cauvery Issue; DMK Announces Massive Protest

Historically, both DMK and AIADMK governments have convened all-party meetings during major developments in the Cauvery dispute. The TVK government, however, appears to be charting a different path.

ALSO READ: Cauvery Dispute: Major Setback For Karnataka As Tamil Nadu To Get 3,500 Cusecs Water Daily

Vijay had initially planned to travel to Bengaluru to initiate direct talks with the Karnataka leadership. However, the visit was reportedly called off due to heightened tensions in Karnataka. Despite facing heavy criticism over its unconventional approach, sources told NDTV that the TVK government remains confident in its strategy and has assured the public that Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery water will be protected.

Meanwhile, the DMK has announced a massive protest in Thanjavur on August 3 to condemn the TVK government's handling of the Cauvery dispute and farmers' issues.