BENGALURU/CHENNAI, Aug. 3 -- Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar said on Sunday that his Tamil Nadu counterpart C Joseph Vijay agreed to postpone his visit to Bengaluru on his request amid growing tension over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute, even as a Tamil Nadu minister said the state government would instead move the Supreme Court over the issue as an immediate solution. Speaking after an all-party meeting over the Cauvery issue, Shivakumar said he had personally urged Vijay to defer the visit because public sentiment in Karnataka was running high. "I have great respect for him. Though he may be new to politics, he is a courageous leader...Whatever our political differences may be, he wanted to come to Karnataka. I only requested that we meet in a better and more cordial atmosphere because I don't want anyone shouting against my friends. We should respect each other. We have to live together and work together. Ultimately, India is one," Shivakumar said. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu minister for energy resources, R Nirmal Kumar, when asked about CM Vijay's proposed visit to Bengaluru, told reporters: "CM Vijay consulted various parties and decided that the government must file a case immediately in the Supreme Court." "After filing of the case, the CM will certainly engage in efforts for friendly relations," Kumar said, indicating that Vijay would take up the visit later. The Cauvery dispute is a long-running water-sharing conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with both states contesting allocations from the river, especially in deficit years. The issue resurfaced amid developments concerning the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, proposed by Karnataka, a major point of friction between the two states, with Tamil Nadu opposing it because it would affect the flow of water downstream. Shivakumar also defended Karnataka's compliance with the Cauvery Water Management Authority's direction to release 3,500 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day for 15 days, saying the state was honouring the order despite the difficulties created by deficient rainfall. "We are closely watching the situation. We respect the sentiments of the people and the law of the country. As per the orders passed, we are releasing water, and I hope there will be no problem," Shivakumar said. He again described the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir as the long-term answer to the Cauvery dispute, arguing that Tamil Nadu would receive most of its advantages. "If the Mekedatu reservoir is built, nearly 90% of the benefit will go to Tamil Nadu, more than Karnataka. At no point can that water be diverted back to Bengaluru. Anyone can visit the project site and understand the facts," Shivakumar said. Tamil Nadu minister Kumar took a swipe at the DMK for moving the Supreme Court over the issue. "By the afternoon (Saturday), government lawyer who has been handling this case in the SC for many years was informed. While it was still in the process, the DMK hastily filed a case after 5pm. When multiple petitions are filed from the very same state, it causes confusion," Kumar said. Alleging that the DMK family and Shivakumar have been in a "very good relationship" and it goes beyond party lines, Kumar said, "many quarters have been saying that rather than listening to the Congress leadership, DK Shivakumar listens more to (DMK chief MK) Stalin. And that is exactly how things have been unfolding over the past week." Shivakumar rejected accusations that his government was acting in the interests of either Tamil Nadu or the DMK, saying Karnataka would safeguard its own interests while maintaining friendly ties with its neighbour....