Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to Visit Bengaluru for Cauvery Water Talks on August 3

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is set to visit Bengaluru on August 3 for bilateral talks with Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar over the long-standing Cauvery river water-sharing dispute and the proposed Mekedatu dam project.

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R Vinoth confirmed the visit on Friday, saying Karnataka had extended an official invitation to Vijay. The meeting is expected to mark a significant attempt to revive direct political engagement between the two neighbouring states on the contentious water issue.

Vijay had written to Shivakumar seeking an appointment in Bengaluru, which the Karnataka Chief Minister accepted. The move comes after Shivakumar recently expressed his willingness to discuss the Mekedatu project with Vijay, urging both states to keep political differences aside. Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy had also voiced support for bilateral discussions.

Tamil Nadu, however, has maintained its firm opposition to the Mekedatu dam project, which Karnataka has proposed to meet Bengaluru's drinking water needs and generate hydel power. "We will never allow it to be constructed," Vinoth reiterated.

The proposed talks have drawn criticism from farmers' organisations and political leaders. The Tamil Nadu Cauvery Farmers Association urged Vijay to press the Centre to secure the release of 27.5 TMC ft of water from Karnataka. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss also opposed negotiations over Mekedatu.

The dispute has intensified amid a shortfall in water releases. Between June 1 and July 22, Tamil Nadu received only 3.5 TMC ft against its entitlement of 31 TMC ft under the Supreme Court-mandated schedule. The Cauvery Water Management Authority recently referred Tamil Nadu's demand for immediate release to the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee for consideration.

Vijay's initiative comes ahead of the TVK-led government's maiden Budget session, beginning August 5. The proposed talks will be closely watched as Tamil Nadu seeks a resolution to the decades-old dispute through renewed political dialogue.