MP Stalin urges Tamil Nadu CM Vijay to abandon talks with Karnataka

MK Stalin. File | Photo credit: PTI

DMK president and former chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday (July 25, 2026) urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to abandon his “misguided decision” to visit Karnataka to hold talks with its government on Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery waters.

“If Karnataka refuses to release water to Tamil Nadu, it amounts to contempt of court. Its proposal to build a dam at Mekedat is against the final verdict of the Supreme Court. Before taking any further steps on a matter as crucial as the Cauvery dispute, the Chief Minister should consult all political parties and representatives of farmers’ associations,” Mr Stalin said in a statement.

He said that the struggle to secure Tamil Nadu’s rights to the Cauvery has a long history and that these rights have been firmly established through the legal process.

“The chief minister should understand the breadth and depth of the problem before going ahead with such an initiative,” he said.

Mr Stalin said there were doubts whether the proposed talks were just an eyewash as the Congress was in power in Karnataka and was also part of the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu.

“The visit will serve no other purpose than to enable the government to claim that it has made a direct effort by traveling to Karnataka for talks,” he said.

Mr Stalin questioned why the Chief Minister had “fallen into Karnataka’s trap” and alleged that his aim was to dilute Tamil Nadu’s rights over the Cauvery waters.

“Delta farmers are furious over the Chief Minister’s decision to hold talks,” he added.

Referring to the DMK government’s earlier stand, Mr. Stalin said it rejected proposals for direct talks with Karnataka because the neighboring state had repeatedly failed to honor its commitments and would only prolong the dispute.

“The very proposal to build the Mekedatu Dam is tantamount to denying Tamil Nadu’s rights to the Cauvery. We have always been of the view that there is no point in holding talks with Karnataka on this issue,” he said.

Pradhan’s resignation

In a post on social media, Mr. Stalin said that Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation was not the end goal and reiterated that just as the Farm Bills were scrapped, NEET should also be scrapped.

“Indian farmers did it first. The youth did it today. Congratulations to the youth of India who protested across the country, offline and online, and made this victory possible,” he said.

Mr Stalin said those who believed they could mislead young people with “made-up narratives and empty promises” underestimated the clarity, courage and conscience of a generation determined to shape its own future.

“May this awakening inspire a generation that questions, participates and refuses to accept injustice. An informed and fearless youth is the strongest foundation of any democracy,” he said.

Published – 25 Jul 2026 17:14 IST