Taking strong exception to the discussion on Karnataka’s proposal of constructing a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) at its recent sitting, DMK president M.K. Stalin questioned its deviation from the mandate
Speaking at the thanksgiving meeting for voters organized by the DMK here on Monday, Mr. Stalin said that the CWMA, which met a few days ago, after a long delay, was supposed to ensure the release of water to Cauvery riparian States as per the Cauvery Tribunal order. Instead of monitoring the release of water, it had held discussion on the Mekedatu dam in Karnataka. “The discussion on the dam construction was uncalled for. It had raised apprehension that the Authority was favouring Karnataka,” he said.
Mr. Stalin said that the BJP Ministers from Karnataka, in particular, Sadananda Gowda, had openly stated that a push will be given for the Mekedatu project despite strong opposition by Tamil Nadu. It was yet another example of the BJP government’s indifference towards Tamil Nadu, he said. Coming down heavily on the AIADMK government, Mr. Stalin said that ever since the AIADMK came to power in 2011, the Mettur dam had not been opened for Kuruvai cultivation for eight consecutive years. It had failed to impress upon the Karnataka and Central governments for timely release of water to Tamil Nadu. The failure of the AIADMK government had affected the livelihood of lakhs of Delta farmers, he said.
Condemning Mr. Palaniswami’s stand that his government was committed to implement eight-lane green corridor road project from Chennai to Salem, the DMK president said that it showed that the AIADMK government was anti-people. Mr. Palaniswami was claiming that he was basically a farmer. “But, he is adamant on acquiring acres of farm lands for the project”.
Mr. Stalin said a sinister campaign was being orchestrated that though the DMK and its partners had got 37 MPs, they would be no use for the State. The DMK MPs would not behave as slaves like the previous AIADMK MPs. The new MPs would be in the forefront in Parliament in raising issues of interest to the State. K.M. Kader Mohideen, president, IUML; Su Thirunavukarasar, senior Congress leader and Tiruchi MP; Perambalur MP ParivendHar MP, and other MPs and MLAs took part in the meeting.