Act as ‘bridge’ to resolve Cauvery row, HDK tells Haasan

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Tamil Nadu politician Kamal Haasan on Monday gave a call for resolving the inter-state Cauvery river water dispute cordially.

Haasan, who called on Kumaraswamy at his home office ‘Krishna’ here, said that he was willing to act as a “bridge” between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The actor has recently floated the Makkal Needhi Maiam in Tamil Nadu.

After the meeting, Kumaraswamy told reporters that it was high time that the two states arrived at a workable solution. He also said that he was willing to hold bilateral talks with Tamil Nadu, if need be.

“Kamal Haasan is of the opinion that Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should share cordial relations. People and farmers of both states are fed up. This issue has been there between the two states for
the last 100 years. It’s high time that the issue was sorted
out without giving scope for any differences. There
should be mutual understanding. We will work it out. This is the beginning of a new
political chapter,” Kumaraswamy said, referring to Haasan’s initiative to hold talks with him.

He later tweeted that he had asked Haasan to be bridge between the two states.

The actor, who recently floated the Makkal Needhi Maiam in Tamil Nadu, said that he felt “reassured” after his “fruitful” talks with Kumaraswamy.

The veteran actor, who has taken a strong political stance on the Cauvery issue, said that he was hopeful that his visit would result in Karnataka changing its mind about releasing the river water to Tamil Nadu.

Stating that the catchment areas had received good rains in the last few days, Haasan said that Karnataka could now “afford” to be kinder towards its neighbouring state.

“My conversation with the new chief minister was fruitful and very heartening. I am feeling hopeful. This is the beginning of a long friendship. Fortunately after his (Kumaraswamy’s) swearing-in, the catchment has seen good rains. You (Karnataka) can afford to be kind now. The Kuruvai sowing is nearing and we need water,” he said.

He also said that the way forward could be found if people with similar mindsets came together. When asked why Tamil Nadu hasn’t taken the same initiative as him, Haasan said, “Doesn’t matter. I have come here on behalf of the people. I can be the squirrel -- I can be the bridge. You want me to be the slipper that people
walk on -- I am ready to be that. I am a new party. I am a
child. I have no ego, I have no baggage. I have come here to just to ask. The chief minister has promised to help us out. I am going back feeling reassured.”

Maintaining his stand on the demand of the setting up of a management scheme to settle the Cauvery dispute, Haasan said that the Centre should expedite the constitution of the Cauvery Management Authority.