Kerala's claim on Mullaperiyar Dam unacceptable

Madurai, Oct 7: Making it clear that Kerala's claim over the Mullaperiyar dam was unacceptable, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the state would pursue the next course of action after the elections to the local bodies were over.

Responding to questions on the stalemate over the issue, he said the Government would convene an all-party meeting and seriously consider all available options before taking a decision.

The Chief Minister said the state had not accepted the statute enacted by Kerala to circumvent the Supreme Court order passed on February 27. It was Kerala which had expressed its readiness before the apex court to hold talks for resolving the impasse, after its revision plea was dismissed, it was pointed out.

The Government was seized of the matter and would take the next step at the earliest, he added.

To a question, he denied PMK leader S Ramadoss' remark that there was lack of consensus in the DPA on the OBC reservation issue saying that the proposal to implement quotas in a phased manner was the outcome of the concerted efforts in that direction.

While there was unanimity among political parties on the matter, it was not so at the national level, he said and added appropriate strategies have to be adopted to ensure the victory of social justice depending upon the emerging situation as was the case in a war.

The anti-reservation agitations in certain pockets, instigated by entrenched vested interests in certain important kendras should not be lost sight off, he observed adding that there was no slackness in attaining the objective. The forces opposed to this would be overcome, he asserted.

On the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), he admitted that the DMK was of view that the programme would generate more jobs. On the PMK dumping it as a wrong approach, the Chief Minister said every party was free to have its opinion on the issue.

Mr Karunanidhi expressed confidence about the DMK-led DPA registering a landslide victory in the by-poll to the Madurai Central Assembly constituency and the local body elections. On devolution of more powers to Panchayat Institutions as demanded by DPA allies, especially the Left and PMK, he said the civic bodies in the state had enjoyed enhanced administrative and financial powers during DMK rule and the Government would continue with it.

Justifying the Government's decision to dispense with direct elections for Mayors and Chairman of Corporations and Municipalities, he said this would help avert situations where heads of civic bodies and members from rival parties created problems for smooth conduct.

Asked if indirect polls might lead to defection and horse-trading, the Chief Minister said people indulging in such practices would be taught a fitting lesson in subsequent polls by the people as had happened in the Assembly elections.

UNI