Tamil Nadu CM Joseph Vijay Rejects All-Party Cauvery Meeting

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay rejected demands for an all-party meeting regarding the Cauvery water dispute and Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu Dam during a Tamil Nadu Assembly session on August 7, 2026. Joseph Vijay stated that his government has already communicated its position to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and remains committed to pursuing the matter through legal channels.

Addressing the assembly, Joseph Vijay urged opposition parties to avoid "cheap politics" and stated that his government would not compromise on its rights regarding the river water or the dam. The Chief Minister's stance follows a formal demand from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for a multi-party summit to address the crisis.

Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the decision, questioning why a meeting had not been convened. Stalin alleged that his recent arrest for derogatory remarks was a "diversionary tactic" intended to prevent him from raising the water issue. He further claimed that cultivation in Delta districts has dropped from 6.8 lakh acres under the previous government to 1.5 lakh acres under the current administration.