Assembly results no prelude to 2019 Lok Sabha elections: EPS

COIMBATORE: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday said that the Dravidian party rule was here to stay in Tamil Nadu.

Reacting to defeat of the BJP in the state assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh, Palaniswami told reporters in Coimbatore the results were reflection of issues pertaining to each state and the outcome may not be the same in the 2019 Lok sabha polls.

To a query if he saw the defeat as a setback to the BJP, Palaniswami said, “We have to accept people’s mandate. But what is the difference between 114 seats and 109 seats? (assembly seats won by the Congress and the BJP respectively in Madhyapradesh). Besides the winning margin was also very meagre in several seats. Some were as low as 1,000 votes.’ He added that the results were based on local issues. “The state election results may not be the same in central (parliamentary) elections,’’ he said.

Responding to a query on statements by BJP leaders that the party wanted a Tamil Nadu free of ‘Kazhagams’, EPS said it will not happen. “As far as we are concerned, Dravidian party rule will only be here,’’ he said.

He also came down heavily on Karnataka for its attempts to build Mekedatu dam. Charging that the Karnataka government was ignoring Supreme court orders, he said TN had filed a contempt petition. “SC has given a clear ruling. We expect Karnataka to abide by the orders,’’ he said.

Denying Karnataka’s arguments that Mekedatu dam would not affect TN since surplus water would only be stored, EPS said this was the usual argument put forward by Karanataka and the truth was different. “During their earlier attempts to build dams, they said TN will not be affected. But Kabini was storing 19.5 tmcft and Hemavati 37 tmcft. TN used to get adequate water earlier. After these dams were built, Cauvery delta districts have become deserts,’’ he said, adding that Mekedatu dam would desertify the whole of TN.