On the eve of his departure for a fortnight's European tour, Patel told mediapersons that, ``some political parties were trying to provoke the people'' on the Cauvery issue. He had, therefore, asked his senior colleagues to visit the concerned districts and villages and ``explain the issue'' to the people there.

He reiterated his Government's commitment to settling disputes of this nature through consultation rather than legal adjudication. Rejecting the Opposition demand for a special Legislature session to discuss the issue, he said the State Assembly had passed unanimous resolutions in this regard, on two occasions. In any case, he said, the issue could be raised in the November session.