Karunanidhi rules out talks on water dispute

Chennai, May 14 (UNI) Ruling out talks with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, on inter-state water disputes, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today appealed to the Centre to take immediate steps to resolve the issues in the interest of unity and integrity of the country.

Responding to the concern expressed by members in the state assembly over the Cauvery water dispute, Mr Karunanidhi, reiterating that inter-linking of atleast the peninsular rivers was the only solution, urged the Centre to take immediate steps for this.

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

Mr Karunanidhi said after the function celebrating his Golden jubilee in the legislatures at over, he met Dr Singh and Ms Sonia Gandhi and urged them to announce the date for laying the foundation stone for inter-linking the rivers. Following this, the Prime Minister invited him to Delhi.

''We are not demanding linking of Ganga and Cauvery. The Centre should come forward to atleast link the peninsular rivers, which will help 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 as they were not prepared to make some sacrifices to protect the unity and integrity 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 the Congress-led UPA government, said ''it appears that the Union government will look at us only if we create a problem''.

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

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