TN to file review petition before CWDT on verdict

Chennai, Feb 19: Setting aside their differences, political parties in Tamil Nadu today came together to discuss the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and resolved to file an appeal before it to protect the state's interest.

The all-party meeting, presided over by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, discussed in detail the merits and demerits of the final award, after which it unanimously adopted a resolution to file the review petition before the Tribunal.

The review petition would be under Section 5(3) of the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, according to the resolution adopted after a nearly four-and-a-half-hour marathon meeting at the Secretariat here.

The meeting also resolved to protect the interest of the people of Tamil Nadu and consult legal and technical experts on the implication of the final award. On the basis of their advice, the state would file the review petition.

The meeting also sought necessary clarifications on the grey areas of the Tribunal's final award and listed the necessary steps to be taken in consultation with experts.

Later, representatives of various political parties told reporters that they fully endorsed the resolution adopted at the meeting.

AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam said his party insisted in the meeting that the state Government should file a review petition before the Tribunal as well as move the Supreme Court to safeguard the interest of the state. He said the Government, during the course of its presentation, had assured political parties that it would move the apex court, if necessary.

''Our demand has been incorporated in the resolution, passed unanimously at the meeting. We welcome it,'' he added.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President M Krishnasamy the decision taken by the meeting to prefer an appeal before the Tribunal ''was good''.

He stressed that Tamil Nadu should protect its rights on the issue.

MDMK (Gingee) leader L Ganesan said initially, everyone thought that the award was favourable to Tamil Nadu. But, a deep study of the award revealed adverse points, which should be removed, he said.

Earlier, striking a slight discordant note in an otherwise show of solidarity by the political parties, MDMK representatives K S Radhakrishnan and S E Sathya staged a walkout in protest against the Government's invitation to party rebels and MPs L Ganesan and Gingee N Ramachandran.

Mr Radhakrishnan told reporters that his party had put forth its views in the meeting that the Government should file a review petition before the Tribunal and move the apex court.

''What is the need for the Government to invite the rebel leaders for the meeting?'' he asked and alleged that it was the ruling DMK's attempt to wreak vengeance on the MDMK.

Representatives of 19 political parties, including AIADMK, Congress, PMK and the Left along with Cauvery Delta Farmers Association members participated in the meeting.

UNI