Let Hogenakkal wait till Karnataka has its government: Krishna

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) Former Maharashtra Governor and senior Congress leader S M Krishna today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to ask Tamil Nadu government to 'put on hold' the work on controversial Hogenakkal drinking water project for a couple of months.

Talking to mediapersons after his meeting, Mr Krishna told reporters that Karnataka was under President's rule and it would take two more months to have an elected government in the state. It would be proper for Tamil Nadu to wait till a popular government was formed.

Drawing the Centre's attention to the sensitivity of the situation, Mr Krishna said it could create enormous problems in the Cauvery valley if Karnataka too were to start constructing drinking water projects in its territory.

Answering questions regarding attacks on theatres screening Tamil movies in Karnataka, Mr Krishna seemed to blame it on the 'harsh wordings' of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The decision to have the project was taken when the NDA government was in office and he would discuss the issue with all concerned, he said, adding he had raised the issue with Congress President Sonia Gandhi when he met her late last evening.

He said the party will not be projecting anyone for the Chief Ministership and the newly elected Congress Legislature Party will be taking a decision in consultation with the party High Command.

This has been the practice and will continue in future also, he remarked.

Union Surface Transport Minister T R Baalu too met Prime Minister for a similar cause asking Karnataka not to obstruct the drinking water project of Tamil Nadu. He also handed Dr Singh a copy of the unanimous resolution adopted by T N Assembly yesterday and said implementation of the project was important for the Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

He refuted Mr Krishna's contention that Mr Karunanidhi had used 'harsh words' against Kannadigas by saying that the Chief Minister had not used any harsh language against anybody. He is an elder statesman of the country and he could vouch for it for he was personally present where the Chief Minister made his statement.

UNI MCN SB HT1807