Vaiko slams Centre over Mekedatu, Sterlite issues

While hailing the state government for adopting a special resolution in the Assembly on the Meekdatu dam issue, Vaiko has strongly condemned the Union government, which favours Karnataka government against the interest of Tamil Nadu. The Centre has permitted to prepare project report for construction of reservoir at a cost of Rs 25,000 crore at Mekedatu across Cauvery and it has caused shame to Tamil Nadu, where around five crore people would not have access to drinking water. While talking to reporters at Madurai airport, Vaiko said he had been opposing the move to construct such structure in Mekedatu since 2012.

He also said that the BJP is focussed on Lok Sabha seats and continues to play politics over the issue supporting Karnataka. The Centre’s nod for Karnataka is a political conspiracy and is against the riparian rights of Tamil Nadu, Vaiko told reporters. Already, the Centre had planned to ruin cultivable lands in Tamil Nadu through methane and shale gas projects against the interests of the people. According to Dam Safety Bill, Tamil Nadu would be the only state in India to witness colossal damage, he added.

The Delta was suffering from the impact of Cyclone Gaja and this news had only added to the agony of the farmers. The construction of any new dam across Cauvery will leave Krishnaraja Sagar and Kabini dams without surplus. This will affect the flow of water into Mettur, Vaiko said.

hasty decision

The Centre took a similar hasty decision in Mullaiperiyar Dam supporting Kerala and with check dams coming up across Palar, Andhra Pradesh was also not releasing enough water to TN, Vaiko charged.

Under these circumstances, the Assembly should have adopted a condemnation resolution against the Centre and the not the regular one, Vaiko said.

Referring to Vedanta group’s Rs. 100 crore investment as per its statement before National Green Tribunal (NGT) on development works in Thoothukudi, he said the company had earned several thousands in crores, but the BJP-led Centre again gave its nod for the company to implement two hydro carbon projects. Further, he told reporters in Thoothukudi, “The NGT might pass its verdict in favour of Vedanta group to resume operations in Sterlite unit in Thoothukudi as the state government’s arguments in the case are weak.”

However, both state government and the opposition party would move the Supreme Court if the NGT ordered to reopen the unit, he said. The local people would also launch a non-violent protest if the unit resumed operations. Further, Vaiko said he would move the Supreme Court against the NGT, if his impleading petition was disallowed.

On the ensuing bypolls to the 20 assembly constituencies, he said the ruling AIADMK would be washed out after suffering a humiliating defeat and the DMK, the opposition party would come to power in the next general election.