Chennai: In a direct attack on the UPA
government, DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Monday said the Centre is
"known for belated decisions" but it should at least "now take
timely action" to resolve the escalating row between Tamil
Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaperiyar dam.
"The Centre, known for taking belated decisions on all
issues, should at least now take a timely decision as any
delay will lead to disastrous consequences," the DMK patriarch
said.
His remarks came in his address to party workers at the
end of a day long fast by DMK, a key UPA constituent,
demanding that the Centre prevail upon Kerala to accept the
Supreme Court verdict to raise the water level in the
Mullaperiyar dam from 136 feet to 142 feet.
He came down heavily on some people in Kerala whipping up
a fear psychosis among its people that the dam might burst.
Some politicians in Kerala with an eye on the coming assembly
bypolls are spreading falsehood the dam was weak.
"Do not play with the unity of the people. Do not get
emotional. Preserve the unity and integrity of the nation," he
appealed to the people of Kerala.
Karunanidhi asserted that the dam was strong enough to
hold water up to 142 feet as Tamil Nadu had taken several
steps to strengthen it.
He pointed out that the Centre had in 2002 filed an
affidavit in the Supreme Court that it had accepted the
report of an expert panel that the dam was strong and could
store water up to 142 feet.
The DMK is also organising a human chain protest on
December 15 in five districts benefiting from the waters of
the Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala's Idukki district, but
controlled by Tamil Nadu under a 999-year lease.
The Mullaperiyar dam row has triggered fresh tension
between Tamil Nadu and Kerala over the issue of building a new
dam in place of the existing 116-year-old structure. Kerala
insists that a new dam is the only solution, but Tamil Nadu
maintains that it is as good and safe as a new one.
The increase in tension had led to attacks on Tamils and
Keralites in some parts on both sides of the state borders.
PTI
First Published: Monday, December 12, 2011, 19:01