UNI

Bangalore, Mar 21: Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday reiterated on the floor of the Assembly that he had proposed dialogue with his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi to solve the vexed Cauvery water dispute.

Replying to the issue raised by Vatal Nagaraj of the Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha during Zero hour, he said he had taken note of media reports regarding Karunanidhi's denial to hold any discussion on the issue as proposed by him on the eve of Ugadi.

It may be recalled here that Kumaraswamy announced on Tuesday that he had proposed talks on the contentious issue with Mr Karunanidhi while greeting him for Ugadi over phone and the latter had positively responded. However, Karunanidhi on Wednesday turned down the offer to hold talks on the Cauvery issue as the option had been exhausted before approaching the Tribunal. He also denied that the issue was discussed with Kumaraswamy.

Kumaraswamy said he was committed to hold a dialogue with Mr Karunanidhi and would consult leaders of political parties, irrigation and legal experts about the modalities of the meeting in case such a meeting fructifies.

He said the struggle to fight the issue within the legal framework in the aftermath of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award would continue.

Nagaraj wanted to know whether the Chief Minister was ready to meet Karunanidhi even after he had responded negatively to his proposal.