AIADMK announces list of leaders to hold fast; CM, dy CM name missing
E.T.B. Sivapriyan, DH News Service, Chennai, Mar 31 2018, 13:04 IST
Palniswami and Panneerselvam are not in the list of the leaders who will be taking part in the day-long fast. PTI file photo.
Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK on Saturday announced the list of senior leaders who will lead the day-long fast on Tuesday in all 32 districts of the state demanding immediate constitution of Cauvery Management Board. Names of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, who jointly lead the party, are conspicuous by their absence.
The day-long fast, to be held at all district headquarters, is to exert pressure on the BJP-led Union Government to implement the Supreme Court order asking it to set up a scheme to ensure that the award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is adhered to.
While all ministers, senior leaders of the party, including deputy coordinators R Vaithilingam and K P Munusamy, and MPs figure in the list, names of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam is missing. The day-long fast will be held in all district headquarters in Tamil Nadu and in the Union Territory of Puducherry on Tuesday.
Though the absence of the names of the CM and his deputy led to speculation that they are deliberately keeping away from the protests, AIADMK sources claimed the duo might "spring a surprise" by landing in any of the protest sites on Tuesday.
Incidentally, it was Panneerselvam who announced on Friday that the AIADMK will hold day-long fast on Tuesday. The list was released hours after the Tamil Nadu Government moved a contempt petition against the Centre in Supreme Court on the grounds that the apex court order was not followed.
The day-long fast is being seen as a desperate measure by the AIADMK, which is being increasingly isolated by other parties on the Cauvery issue. Opposition parties, especially the DMK, accuses AIADMK of having sold the state's rights to the BJP due to its "subservient" attitude.
The day-long fast, to be held at all district headquarters, is to exert pressure on the BJP-led Union Government to implement the Supreme Court order asking it to set up a scheme to ensure that the award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal is adhered to.
While all ministers, senior leaders of the party, including deputy coordinators R Vaithilingam and K P Munusamy, and MPs figure in the list, names of Palaniswami and Panneerselvam is missing. The day-long fast will be held in all district headquarters in Tamil Nadu and in the Union Territory of Puducherry on Tuesday.
Though the absence of the names of the CM and his deputy led to speculation that they are deliberately keeping away from the protests, AIADMK sources claimed the duo might "spring a surprise" by landing in any of the protest sites on Tuesday.
Incidentally, it was Panneerselvam who announced on Friday that the AIADMK will hold day-long fast on Tuesday. The list was released hours after the Tamil Nadu Government moved a contempt petition against the Centre in Supreme Court on the grounds that the apex court order was not followed.
The day-long fast is being seen as a desperate measure by the AIADMK, which is being increasingly isolated by other parties on the Cauvery issue. Opposition parties, especially the DMK, accuses AIADMK of having sold the state's rights to the BJP due to its "subservient" attitude.