Mullaperiyar: BJP accuses TN of missing chance

Chennai, Dec 18: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu today charged the State Government with missing a ''golden opportunity'' to store water up to 142 feet in the Mullaperiyar Dam during the recent monsoon.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP State President L Ganesan said he was at a loss to understand why the government failed to lower the shutters and store water up to 142 feet when there was heavy rain in the area.

The ruling DMK, which had a favourable verdict of Supreme Court and the support of all political parties and the public on the issue, should not have acted under political compulsions as it was a constituent of the UPA Government at the Centre, he said.

Mr Ganesan also expressed doubt whether the Kerala Government would abide by law on the issue. However, he pledged the party's full support to the State Government to resolve the issue.

Condemning the killing of a Hindu Munnani leader at Tenkasi in Tirunelveli District last night, he expressed concern that communal clashes, which were under check, had started surfacing in recent times.

He urged the Government to conduct a ''fair'' investigation into the incident to bring out the truth.

On the controversy surrounding the Periyar statue in Srirangam, Mr Ganesan said the BJP was not objecting to its installation, but only to the place chosen for it. ''The Dravidar Kazhagam's move to install the statue at a temple entrance was a planned attempt to create tension,'' he charged. Welcoming the government's action, in booking under the National Security Act, all those who vandalised the Periyar statue as well as those who damaged temple idols at several places in the state, the BJP leader said the government should be firm in dealing with both the sides.

On AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa's statement about the possibility of a political realignment, Mr Ganesan said her attempt to form a third front with the help of the Samajwadi Party and Telugu Desam Party would not be beneficial as those parties had presence only in their respective states. Further, it would only create confusion among the people, he added.

He said the BJP would stage a nation-wide demonstration till December 20 to protest against the UPA Government's policy of ''appeasing'' Muslims.

The state unit of the party would also celebrate Former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's birthday on December 25 as 'Service Day,' he added.

UNI

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