The revised scheme which has taken note of the objections of Karnataka towards some of the clauses in the original draft has already been discussed at the meetings of chief secretaries of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, besides Kerala and Pondicherry.

One of the clauses providing for takeover of reservoirs and canal works in case of non-compliance of the interim order has been removed in the revised draft following Karnataka's strong opposition. The Centre has also agreed to make the monitoring body co-terminus with the publication of the final award of the tribunal.

While the modifications have mollified Karnataka to a large extent, it is doubtful if Tamil Nadu will accept them. While Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is perceived as being ``reasonable'',the state's stand would be dictated more by the line that chief political adversary and AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha takes.

Jayalalitha who has demanded that Karunanidhi keep away from the meeting called by Vajpayee has been accusing the Centre of favouring Karnataka in the inter-state water dispute. Vajpayee will have to do a fine balancing act by not only keeping Karnataka happy but also the AIADMK chief whose support is crucial for his government to continue. A breakdown of talks tomorrow can put the Centre in a soup as it will have to report to the Supreme Court on August 12 the progress of its efforts to settle the dispute. At its last hearing, the court had warned the government that it would not accept pleas for further adjournments in the case.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel today held talks with MPs belonging to all parties from the state and former chief ministers including Ramakrishna Hegde, Veerappa Moily, S R Bommai and S Bangarappa. Another former chief minister H D Deve Gowdawas however not present.

After the modifications in the scheme, political leaders in Karnataka are of the view that since Vajpayee has ``co-operated'' by opening of the avenue of negotiations with Tamil Nadu, they should not take any step which will embarrass him. The mood is to accept any scheme which does not provide for the constitution of a body with the nomenclature ``authority,'' or for setting up of field organisations which have the powers of taking over reservoirs.

According to them, the Centre has after all given Karnataka's fears that the constitution of an authority would whip up emotions in the state due consideration. ``In the circumstances, we would not like to do anything which will tie the Prime Minister's hands,'' said one Karnataka leader.

Karnataka Law Minister M C Nanaiah told reporters after the all-party meeting that the Cauvery issue could only be solved by dialogue. The meeting had authorised Patel to put forward this view at tomorrow's talks with the Prime Minister.

Somecontroversial clauses still remained in the modified draft, he said, making it clear that ``we will not accept what goes against us.''