India, July 28 -- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is keen to pursue bilateral talks with neighbouring Karnataka to resolve the long-standing Cauvery water-sharing dispute despite strong opposition from farmers, an official source said on Tuesday.

Farmers have urged the state government to call off the proposed talks and explore legal options against Karnataka amid a severe water shortage in the Cauvery delta districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.

The shortage has affected prospects for raising the short-term Kuruvai paddy crop and led to the postponement of the customary opening of the Mettur dam on June 12 due to inadequate water storage.

Farmer representatives who attended a consultative meeting with state Agric...