MDMK seeks PM's intervention on Mekeddatu issue

Coimbatore: MDMK on Monday said it is the responsibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent Karnataka from constructing a dam across the Cauvery at Mekeddatu, which would adversely affect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers.

Blaming political parties in Karnataka for playing vote bank politics on the issue, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko appealed to the prime minister to take a reasonable decision, before the people of Tamil Nadu turn against the BJP-led Centre, by exerting pressure.

Referring to reported remarks by Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda that interest of Karnataka would be protected and that MPs and union ministers from that State be taken into confidence before taking any decision on the Cauvery issue, Vaiko told reporters here it was the responsibility of Modi to take action on the matter.

Modi should take steps to set up Cauvery Managament Board and also a committee for monitoring and streamlining the process, he said, adding, political parties and people of Tamil Nadu should continue to exert pressure on the Centre, to achieve the goal.

Vaiko claimed Karnataka had already decided to construct the dam for irrigating 11 lakh acres and also another four dams across the Cauvery.

Lauding the rare unity shown by all political parties on the issue, when MPs from Tamil Nadu met Modi at Delhi, Vaiko said Tamil Nadu government was also moving in the right direction with regard to Cauvery and Mekeddatu issue.