CM Vijay Received Official Invite From Karnataka, Says Minister
Thanjavur: Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister R Vinoth on Friday confirmed that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has received an official invitation from Karnataka and is likely to travel to the neighboring state to safeguard the interests of Tamil Nadu. “Karnataka extended a formal invitation to the Chief Minister (Vijay) to visit Karnataka.”
It has been reported in a section of media that CM Vijay is likely to visit Bengaluru on August 3. Vinoth clarified that the invitation was extended only to the prime minister.
When asked about the agenda of his visit to Bengaluru, he stated that his aim was to “secure what is good for the people, what is good for Tamil Nadu”.
Touching on the controversial Mekedatu dam project, Vinoth reiterated the state’s uncompromising stance. “We have always stated this until today… We will never allow it to be done,” he said.
The official invitation comes after recent diplomatic overtures from the Karnataka leadership. On June 18, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made it clear that he was ready to hold talks with CM Vijay on the Mekedatu issue at any time, urging both states to put politics aside. Later, on June 20, Karnataka Major Irrigation Minister Ramalinga Reddy reiterated this stance and confirmed that Karnataka was open to bilateral dialogue if Tamil Nadu was willing to come to the table.
