Bangalore: Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, V Srinivas Prasad, on October 2 said that there was nothing wrong in deputing Tamil activist Kolathur Mani as an emissary to secure the release of abducted former Karnataka minister, H Nagappa, from the clutches of forest brigand Veerappan.

"Without withdrawing cases launched against Mani, he can be sent as an emissary," Prasad told reporters obviously referring to objections by Tamil Nadu, which has opposed negotiations with the bandit.

Prasad said Tamil Nadu should be convinced on the need to depute an emissary to end the hostage crisis, which entered the 39th day on October 2.

On the on-going Cauvery water sharing row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, he suggested that the tangle should be resolved amicably through negotiations.

Prasad said that Tamil Nadu has, unfortunately, taken the matter to the Supreme Court.

He said when the states face distress situation, it was advisable to hammer out a distress formula by mutual dialogue.

PTI