Karunanidhi rules out talks on Cauvery dispute

Chennai, May 14: Ruling out talks with Karnataka, Andhra Pradeshand Kerala, on inter-state water disputes, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MKarunanidhi today appealed to the Centre to take immediate steps toresolve the issues in the interest of unity and integrity of thecountry.

Responding to the concern expressed by members in the stateassembly over the Cauvery water dispute, Mr Karunanidhi, reiteratingthat inter-linking of atleast the peninsular rivers was the onlysolution, urged the Centre to take immediate steps for this.

Recalling his plea to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and CongressPresident Sonia Gandhi to take steps for laying the foundation forinter-linking of rivers, he said, he would visit the capital at theinvitation of the Prime Minister during this month to discuss the issue.

Mr Karunanidhi said after the function celebrating his Goldenjubilee in the legislatures at over, he met Dr Singh and Ms SoniaGandhi and urged them to announce the date for laying the foundationstone for inter-linking the rivers. Following this, the Prime Ministerinvited him to Delhi.

''We are not demanding linking of Ganga and Cauvery. The Centreshould come forward to atleast link the peninsular rivers, which willhelp Tamil Nadu to solve inter-state water disputes with Karnataka(Cauvery), Andhra Pradesh (Palar) and Kerala (Mullaiperiyar)'', he said.

There was no point in holding talks with these states anymore asthey were not prepared to make some sacrifices to protect the unity andintegrity of the nation, he lamented.

Charging the Centre of being euqually lethargic on these issues,Mr Karunanidhi, whose ruling DMK was a key constituent of theCongress-led UPA government, said ''it appears that the Uniongovernment will look at us only if we create a problem''.

We do not intend to pose any threat to national integration andcreate a war like situation with our neighbouring states, he said,adding at the same time, the neighbouring states should also comeforward to protect national integration.

Mr Karunanidhi said, Tamil Nadu had been soft towards its neighbouringstates, though they were acting like ''big brothers''. ''If Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh and Kerala thought they were on top of Tamil Nadu andcould harass the state, only the future would give the answer. However,we do not want to leave the issue to the future (generation)'', headded.

Only in epic Tamil Nadu was projected as a state blessed withwater resources. In reality, it faced water scarcity, he said and addedhowever, the state had tremendous mental strength.

Referring to a CPI(M) member's suggestion that Tamil Nadu shouldhold repeated talks with Kerala, Mr Karunanidhi said he was tired ofholding talks with neighbouring states.

On the vexed Cauvery water issue, he said he was holding talkswith Karnataka since 1968, but no solution was in sight. Even the finalaward given by the Cauvery water disputes tribunal was not final, hesaid.

Suggesting that the three southern states should repose faith innational integration, Mr Karunanidhi said even the DMK had dropped itsdemand for separate state in the interest of unity and integrity of thenation.

Party founder leader C N Annadurai gave up the demand in theinterest of national integration and our belief in national integrationwill be strengthened only if the neighbouring states extended theircooperation, Mr Karunanidhi added.

UNI

Related Stories

Kumaraswamy to hold talks with Karunanidhi on Cauvery issue
HDK sticks to talk offer with Karunanidhi on Cauvery

>