The Hogennakkal project is to meet the drinking water needs of two Tamil Nadu districts bordering Karnataka.

The Sarvajna statue was shipped to Chennai in July after Karunanidhi and Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa agreed on the dates to unveil it as well as that of Thiruvalluvar.

At Monday's meeting in Bangalore, Yeddyurappa received support from the Congress, Janata Dal (Secular) and other small parties as also from leading Kannada writers.

However, the move was opposed by Kannada Chaluvaligaru led by former legislator Vatal Nagaraj and various factions of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Karnataka Protection Forum).

While assuring that the interests of Karnataka would be protected, Yeddyurappa announced after the meeting: 'Thiruvalluvar statue would be unveiled in the city Aug 9 and that of the revolutionary Kannada Poet Sarvajna at Chennai Aug 13.'

He said he would meet Karunanidhi and invite him for the function.