CMB: Ruling party calls for hunger strike on April 3

Earlier in the day, OPS, along with Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, attended a free marriage ceremony for 120 couples in Madurai as part of the 70th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. 

While Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar continued to assert that the state would not relent until the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC) were formed by the Centre, Tamil Official Language and Culture Minister K Pandiarajan slammed the Centre for exacting revenge on the state in view of the ensuing Karnataka election. 

“It appears to be the Centre’s ploy,” Pandiarajan said. He added that the hunger stir would reflect the uprising of the people, and in turn make the protest a successful one. “Our people need water, and the Supreme Court had given a fair verdict. We would exert required pressure on the Centre. We have already stalled Parliament proceedings in a historic manner,” he added. 

Meanwhile, AIADMK Rajya Sabha MP S Muthukaruppan in Delhi announced that he would resign from his post in two days. This comes a day after three Lok Sabha MPs offered to resign as the party came under intense fire from Opposition parties and farmers groups over its meek response to the BJP government’s inaction on setting up the Cauvery Management Board. 

Speaking to the media, Muthukaruppan said, “I will submit my resignation to the Rajya Sabha leader and vice president Venkaiah Naidu on Monday. It is fitting to resign for the formation of the Cauvery Management Board as the post was assigned to me by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa who fought for the cause.” Three MPs Arunmozhithevan, P Kumar and G Hari told the media that they were ready to quit if the party leadership allowed them.  Several non-political organisations such as the TN Chemists and Druggists Association have also announced a one-day shutdown to express solidarity with the protesting farmers.