Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today pitched for finding an amicable solution to the Cauvery water sharing dispute with Tamil Nadu after film star-turned politician Kamal Hassan met him here and took up the issue.
Speaking to reporters along with Hassan, he underlined the need for a cordial relationship between the two neighbouring states and said that the farmers of Karnataka were as important as their Tamil Nadu counterparts.
"What Kamal Hassan has said about the Cauvery Management Board (authority) is that both the states should maintain cordial relationship. Whatever problem is there, we have to equally share it. Karnataka farmers are as important as Tamil Nadu farmers. The issue should be sorted out cordially without giving a scope for any differences," Kumaraswamy said.
Hassan, who recently launched his political outfit 'Makkal Needhi Maiam', replied in the affirmative to a question whether he took up the issue of the Cauvery board (authority) and expressed satisfaction over the attitude of Kumaraswamy.
"Yes. It has been set up. We would like it to be expedited and this attitude (of Kumaraswamy) is what we are looking forward to. We are like brothers. I am happy there is the chief minister who is looking at it in the same manner," he said.
Noting that Cauvery had been there even when they were not born, the actor said, "It will be there, it should be there."
Replying to a query whether the Tamil Nadu government's line of thinking was similar to his, Hassan said, "It doesn't matter. I come on behalf of people and he (Kumaraswamy) is also talking on behalf of the people."
When asked whether he wanted to be the bridge between th egovernments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Hassan said he can be "a squirrel, a bridge and even the slippers people walk on."
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