TN CM failed to protect basic rights on Cauvery water: Vaiko

Coimbatore, Feb 26 (UNI) MDMK general secretary Vaiko today alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had failed to protect the basic rights of the state on the sharing of river waters before the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.

Talking to newspersons here, he said immediately after the Tribunal gave its Final verdict on the water issue, Mr Karunanidhi had announced that the state had got its due share. However, he changed his stand later on the issue.

Mr Vaiko criticised Mr Karunanidhi's recent statement at Thanjavur on the water issue as 'unwarranted' even after a party meeting in which it was decided to file a petition before the tribunal to get justice.

The state government had also failed to protect the state's right on the Mullaperiyar dam height issue, Mr Vaiko alleged.

Asked about the ongoing ethnic war in Sri Lanka, the MDMK leader said the Srilankan Tamils were fighting with the government to protect their basic rights.

Though MDMK supports the LTTE for taking up the cause of Tamils in the island nation, Mr Vaiko categorically said his party would not suppport anyone who try to create or encourage violence in Tamil Nadu. MDMK believes that 'Tamil Eelam' was the only solution to get the basic rights for Srilankan Tamils, he added.

He alleged that the Coast Guard and the Indian Navy had failed to protect fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who were frequently killed by the Lankan Navy.

The MDMK would organise 'Kongu Region' conference here on March 26, in which party leaders would speak on 12 various important topics, he added.

UNI