Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami urged all parties to shed their differences and unite to secure the state's rights in the Cauvery river water dispute with neighbouring Karnataka.

The Supreme Court on February 16 reduced Tamil Nadu's share of the river water to 177.25 tmcft, down from 192 tmcft allocated by a tribunal in 2007.

Speaking at an all-party meeting held at the Secretariat to discuss measures to secure Tamil Nadu's rights over the Cauvery waters, Palaniswami said the issue is "part of every person in the state".

Besides the political leaders, farmers associations were also present on the occasion, as Palaniswami listed steps to be taken by his government to secure their water rights in the long-drawn dispute.

The all party meeting was called to discuss the legal ways to be explored hereafter.