DMK holds all-party meeting over Cauvery management draft scheme

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Tuesday held an all party meeting to discuss the future course of action on the recent judgment of the Supreme Court in the Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka at the party headquarters - Anna Arivalayam on Tuesday.

The meeting was convened to discuss the Supreme Court giving the nod to Centre's draft scheme on Cauvery water management and directing the BJP-led government in New Delhi to implement it before the start of the monsoon season.

Following the meeting, Stalin condemned both the state and central government for faileding to constitute a Cauvery board with all its statutory powers, reported news agency ANI.

The Opposition DMK has urged the state government to establish cordial ties with the new government to be in place in the neighbouring Karnataka soon, and obtain Cauvery water due for Tamil Nadu by June 12.

"With a new secular government to be in place in Karnataka in two or three days' time, the Chief Minister (Edappadi K. Palaniswami) should utilise the opportunity and establish cordial ties with the new government and obtain Cauvery water by June 12," Stalin urged.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy on Sunday said there was no need for convening an all-party meeting on the issue, as had been demanded by some Opposition parties.

Speaking to mediapersons at the Madurai airport, he said the Opposition parties had "different objectives" and were unnecessarily raising doubts over the SC's judgment without reading it thoroughly.

"The court has made it clear that the Cauvery Management Authority is to be constituted in accordance with the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, barring the minor reduction in Tamil Nadu's share of water. It has also asked the Union government to implement the scheme immediately," he said.