Farmer group urges CM Vijay to skip Karnataka CM's invite

Farmers' organisations in Tamil Nadu urged Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to reject Karnataka Chief Minister's invitation for talks on the Mekedatu dam and Cauvery water issues.

Farmers leader P R Pandian said direct talks could provoke unrest, citing past clashes when such talks were called.

Pandian insisted all water-sharing discussions must be channelled through the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA), not state chief ministers.

Pandian said the Tamil Nadu CM going to Karnataka to discuss the dam plan is legally invalid per Supreme Court orders and the Constitution.

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister Vinoth backtracked on earlier statements about CM Vijay's Bengaluru trip, urging reporters to await official announcement.