Sonia assures Centre would address Cauvery issue

Chennai, Apr 25 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today assured the people of Tamil Nadu that the Centre would take care of their concern on the Cauvery water issue.

Addressing an election rally here, Ms Gandhi said the DMK President M Karunanidhi has given a representation on the issue and assured the people that she has taken note of their concern.

''Before we came to the dais, Mr Karunanidhi gave me a representation on the Cauvery issue. I have taken note of your concern,'' she said.

Mr Karunanidhi, who is heading the DPA in the state, in the representation, expressed concern over the recent split verdict of the Cauvery water Dispute Tribunal, directing the Centre to appoint an expert committee to go into the crop pattern and water requirements of the four riparian states.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of the the DMK led DPA leaders discussed the issue and adopted a resolution, urging the tribunal to withdraw the controversial order and requested the Centre to ensure that the tribunal passed its final award at the earliest.

UNI GV/WS RL HT2110