AIADMK members stage walkout in Puducherry assembly

Puducherry, Apr 18 (UNI) Members of the opposition AIADMK today staged a walkout in the territorial assembly in protest against the government's reluctance to give a reply on the special mention by party leader A Anbazhagan on the Cauvery water issue.

Tabling his special mention during zero hour, Mr Anbazhagan charged the administration with failing to take any concrete steps to get the seven tmcft of water for Puducherry, as per the final award of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal.

Pointing out the fast undertaken by the AIADMK in Karaikal recently and the ongoing series of agitation to press for the publication of the final award of the Tribunal in the government gazette, Mr Anbazhagan came down heavily on the administration for not taking any steps in this regard.

Mr Anbazhagan alleged that the questions pertaining to Cauvery water was being postponed and the calling attention motion given by him was also not taken up so far.

Demanding that Puducherry should move the Supreme Court to protect its rights, the AIADMK leader said it was improper on the part of a democatically elected government to keep away from convening an all-party meeting to discuss the important issue and sought to know the government's stand.

As Speaker R Radhakrishnan invited DMK member R Siva to table his special mention, Mr Anbazhagan argued with the speaker that he needed a reply and allow the Chief Minister to reply on his special mention.

However, Mr Radhakrishnan pointed out that the member could not insist on a reply during zero hour and the government could give reply if it wished. Following this, Mr Anbazhagan along with other members Om Sakthi Sekhar and Omalingam walked out of the House.

UNI