Sparks fly during debate over Cauvery issue

Participating in the debate on grants in the assembly, the DMK leader demanded to know from the Chief Minister why was the government silent over Centre denying funds for the State. He also urged the government to pass a resolution condemning the Centre for the policies that encroach into the rights of the State governments and non-release of funds that are due for Tamil Nadu.

The debate also turned into a verbal duel when the DMK leader raised the issue related to non-appointment of a full-time chairman for Cauvery Water Management Authority. Joining the chorus, Minister D Jayakumar said that the DMK enjoyed power in the Centre for 15 years but did nothing to solve the Cauvery issue. Replying to this, DMK deputy leader Duraimurugan recalled the contribution of former CM Karunanidhi in the formation of Central Water Commission and also in getting the final verdict in the Cauvery water tribunal.

Then, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami intervened and supplemented Jayakumar’s comment. “You (DMK) had a big opportunity to get it notified in the government gazette when the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal gave the final award in February 2007. You had two months’ time in your hand and being part of the Central government, the DMK could have taken steps to get the award notified in the gazette. But you did not do it, you missed the opportunity,” the CM said.

“As you have failed to utilise the chance, the neighbouring States went to the court delaying the execution of Cauvery verdict. It was our AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa who took the legal route and then notified the verdict in gazette,” CM said.

DMK leaders made several visits to New Delhi to get Cabinet berths and portfolios, but never focussed on welfare of the State, chided EPS. He recalled that former union minister Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy resigned from the post over the Cauvery issue when the DMK failed to raise its voice.

Duraimurugan retaliated that the DMK was studying the verdict to ensure that the corrective measures were made before publishing the verdict in gazette, but the DMK regime came to end within two months’ time.