Former DMK Minister S. Regupathy on Sunday (August 2, 2026) accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government of remaining passive on the crucial Cauvery water dispute and criticised Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for “failing to clarify the government’s stand” on the issue.

In a statement issued in Chennai, Mr. Regupathy said that as Chief Minister, Mr. Vijay had a responsibility to explain the government’s position on vital issues such as the Cauvery dispute.

Claiming Mr. Vijay avoided interacting with the media to protect his public image, Mr. Regupathy said neither the Chief Minister nor Water Resources Minister N. Anand had spelt out the government’s stand on Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu project. He said Mr. Vijay and Mr. Anand owed the people an explanation as to whether they endorsed Electricity Minister R. Nirmalkumar’s view that there was no need to convene an all-party meeting on the issue.

Accusing the TVK Government of “sleeping over” a matter of immense importance to the State, Mr. Regupathy alleged Mr. Nirmalkumar had insulted the Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu as well as former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi through his remarks.

“While the Tamil Nadu government remains silent, the Karnataka Chief Minister is holding regular high-level meetings, meeting Union Ministers and convening all-party meetings on the issue,” he said.

Mr. Regupathy contended the Chief Minister’s silence would create the impression that Tamil Nadu was being governed by a weak administration.

“It is not only neighbouring States but even the Governor who will begin to view the Tamil Nadu government as weak. The Chief Minister’s refusal to consult political parties and his apparent rest mode during weekends have caused serious concern among farmers,” he said.

Mr. Regupathy demanded that the State government convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the Cauvery water dispute and sought an apology from Mr. Nirmalkumar for his remarks.

Meanwhile, DMK legal wing deputy secretary I. Paranathan took strong exception to Mr. Nirmalkumar’s comments on Karunanidhi, stating that it was Karunanidhi who had secured the establishment of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal. “He has no locus standi to speak about Kalaignar,” Mr. Paranathan said.

Responding to Mr. Nirmalkumar’s contention that an all-party meeting was unnecessary because every political party had its own stand, Mr. Paranathan said it was the Chief Minister’s responsibility to build consensus among political parties on issues affecting the State.

“All Chief Ministers in the past had convened all-party meetings on matters concerning the Cauvery dispute,” he said.

Published - August 02, 2026 09:25 pm IST