Fasting CM Edappadi K Palaniswami vows to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests, blames DMK 

CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday targeted the DMK on the Cauvery issue, saying that party was the root cause for the problems faced by farmers in the State today on the water sharing front. Both leaders, State ministers, MPs, MLAs and AIADMK functionaries and cadre observed fast between 8 am and 5.30 pm at Chepauk, condemning the Centre for its failure to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) within six weeks as per the Supreme Court verdict and demanding that the board be formed at the earliest.  

They also vowed to establish the rights of the State over the Cauvery waters. “Those who have gathered here did not move from their seats from morning to evening. This shows our conviction on the issue. We will accomplish what we wish to achieve,” Palaniswami said. “Our struggle will continue until the CMB and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee  are formed,” Panneerselvam added.

As the fast continued, Governor Banwarilal Purohit met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at their offices in Parliament. He is believed to have briefed Modi and Rajnath on the law and order situation. Though a section of traders backed the government’s protest, most shops in the city remained open. Pharmacies in most areas were open and milk delivery was also not hit in a big way.