TN, Karnataka CMs Likely to Discuss Cauvery Dispute at Kovalam Conclave

The Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, C Joseph Vijay and D K Shivakumar, are expected to meet in Kovalam near Mamallapuram on Thursday to explore an amicable resolution to the Cauvery water dispute, including differences over the proposed Mekedatu dam. The bilateral discussion is likely to take place on the sidelines of the 31st conference of the Southern Zonal Council at the Fisherman’s Cove beach resort.

Presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the regional conference brings together Chief Ministers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, as well as the Union Territory of Puducherry. Lieutenant Governors and administrators from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep will also attend. The council will deliberate on various inter-State matters, including border disputes, water sharing, and narcotics control.

A previous interaction between Vijay and Shivakumar, originally scheduled for August 3 in Bengaluru, was deferred due to volatile circumstances in Karnataka. At the time, Kannada groups and political leaders had urged the Karnataka government to resist a Supreme Court order that upheld directions from the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu.

Both the CWMA and the Supreme Court had intervened after Karnataka cited reservoir shortages for not releasing water. The standoff eased after rainfall increased reservoir storage levels. Following the earlier cancellation, during which Shivakumar asked Vijay to postpone his Bengaluru visit, the leaders may now hold discussions during the Kovalam summit.

The conclave is organised by the Inter-State Council Secretariat under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and hosted by the Tamil Nadu Government, marking its first meeting since 2022. Shah serves as the council’s chairperson, with Vijay serving as vice-chairperson under a rotational system among Chief Ministers.

Two Ministers, Chief Secretaries, and Home Secretaries from each participating southern State are attending the sessions. Shah is scheduled to arrive in Chennai on Wednesday night and travel directly to Kovalam. Following the conference, he will visit Mamallapuram before departing for New Delhi.