Kumaraswamy to hold talks with Karunanidhi on Cauvery issue

Bangalore, Mar 20 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumarswamy today said that he would soon hold a dialogue with his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi to find a solution to the vexed Cauvery water sharing issue.

Talking to newspersons here, he said he had received a positive response from Mr Karunanidhi for his proposal to find a solution to the issue through dialogue.

'' I talked to Mr Karunanidhi yesterday to convey Ugadi greetings and mentioned about holding discussion on the issue in the aftermath of Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal award. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has responded positively and we may meet soon.'' Mr Kumaraswamy said he could meet Mr Karunanidhi within 10 days.

Stating that, in the federal system, only through dialogue such issues could be solved, Mr Kumaraswamy said it was yet to be decided whether to go for talks alone or at larger level. In this regard senior leaders and experts would be consulted.

''The struggle within the legal frame work would continue,'' he said, adding that he would also appeal to AIADMK Supremo and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa to give up her opposing stand on the Cauvery issue.

He said he was against politicising the water issue and whipping of sentiments of the people of the both the states.

He claimed that MPs of the state had already met Prime Minister Manmohan Sinh and convinced him about the injustice done to the state .

The resolution passed on the issue by the House would be sent to the Centre through the Governor, he added.

Regarding the state Budget for 2007-08, he said it was not a BJP-JD (S) budget but of the coalition government and there was no difference of opinion on bringing a ban on arrack sale and lottery.

UNI