Jaya asks TN CM to spell out stand on Cauvery verdict

Chennai, Feb 9 (UNI) AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition J Jayalalithaa today urged Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to spell out clearly whether he opposed or endorsed the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Tamil Nadu's share in the final award was 20 tmc ft less than the interim award and even the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an ally of the ruling DMK, had made this point, she said in a statement here.

But, Mr Karunanidhi had been 'voicing support to Karnataka' by saying Tamil Nadu would get 210 tmc ft of water, she charged.

Ms Jayalalithaa said the crux of the issue was determining the quantum of water that Karnataka should release and not the availability of Cauvery waters within Tamil Nadu.

The 25 tmc ft of water between Billigundulu and Mettur was made available 'by nature' and not Karnataka. The final verdict had given only 192 tmc ft, of which seven tmc ft would go to Puducherry, leaving the State with only 185 tmc ft, she said.

The Congress was 'reluctant' on the issue as it had a base in Karnataka and the Leftists had also approached it on similar lines.

'But why should Mr Karunanidhi support Karnataka,?' the AIADMK supremo asked and alleged it was due to his 'concern for family welfare and business interests.' She said Mr Karunanidhi should get justice for the State in issues like Mullaperiyar, Palar and Cauvery 'with the same alacrity he showed for getting specific portfolios in the Union Goverment.' Charging the Chief Minister with misinterpreting her earlier statement on the Tribunal's award, Ms Jayalalithaa said she had only been advocating that efforts should be made simultaneously to get the award published in the Union Gazette and move the Supreme court to get more quantum of water.

UNI