Proposed ministerial-level talks a farce: Jayalalithaa

Chennai, Dec 5 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today slammed the proposed Ministerial-level talks between Tamil Nadu and Kerala on the Mullaperiyar issue as a ''time-wasting exercise aimed at deceiving people.'' ''When the Chief Ministers of two states were unable to arrive at an agreement on the issue, what could be achieved by holding talks at the ministerial level,'' she asked.

Talking to reporters after signing the attendance register at Assembly lobby, Ms Jayalalithaa, who is also the Leader of the Opposition, charged the Tamil Nadu Government with wilfully squandering a golden opportunity.

When there was torrential rains, the Government could have lowered the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam and stored water up to 142 ft. But a golden opportunity had been wasted, she said.

Though a discussion was held in the House on the contentious Mullaperiyar issue, Ms Jayalalithaa did not attend the proceedings.

Instead, she chose to speak outside the Assembly.

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