Chennai: Tamil Nadu on November 14 offered to co-operate with Karnataka in securing the release the former Karnataka Minister H Nagappa, kidnapped by forest brigand Veerappan 81 days ago, if that state sought its assistance.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told reporters on November 14, "We are prepared to co-operate with Karnataka if it seeks Tamil Nadu's help and assistance in rescuing Nagappa and nabbing Veerappan."

She said Karnataka was not sharing any information with Tamil Nadu on its efforts to get Nagappa from the clutches of Veerappan and so far had not sought Tamil Nadu's help on this.

Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (STF) had to withdraw from joint operations to nab Veerappan from Karnataka soil as that state wanted Tamil Nadu to do so, she said.

"Even now Tamil Nadu STF is on the border of the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and is on the look out for Veerappan. If any request for help comes from Karanataka, We are prepared to help them," she said.

On Cauvery, she said Tamil Nadu always favoured a permanent solution to the issue.

She said she did not want to say anything on Karnataka's stand that it had complied with the orders of the Supreme Court on the release of water, as the apex court would be hearing Tamil Nadu's case on the issue on November 15.

"Whatever they want to say, let them tell in the Supreme court," she said.

PTI