Centre delaying Cauvery Management Board due to Karnataka polls, says DMK

"It is clear that the Centre adopted a vindictive attitude towards TN, keeping the Karnataka polls in mind," Stalin said.
Centre delaying Cauvery Management Board due to Karnataka polls, says DMK
Centre delaying Cauvery Management Board due to Karnataka polls, says DMK
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DMK leader MK Stalin on Saturday slammed the Central government for delaying setting up of the Cauvery Management Board, saying it was eyeing the Karnataka Assembly elections.

"It is clear that the Centre moved the court and adopted a vindictive attitude towards Tamil Nadu keeping the Karnataka polls in mind," he said after the Centre filed a clarification petition in the Supreme Court, asking for three months for implementing its judgment in view of the May elections in Karnataka,” Stalin told reporters in Chennai.

“This showed that the Central government was not interested in setting up the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee as directed by the Supreme Court,” he added.

On the Tamil Nadu government seeking contempt proceedings against the Central government for its failure to set up the bodies for which the six-week deadline expired on Friday, he said it was a "drama" enacted jointly by both governments.

Recalling that he had earlier urged the state government to file a contempt plea as the Central government would not set up the board in view of the Karnataka elections, he said it has betrayed the people of the state by moving the court after the expiry of the deadline.

Meanwhile, assuring that the interests of Tamil Nadu and its farmers will be secured in the Cauvery issue, Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday said that the state would oppose the Central government's petition in the apex court and seek that the river water management board be set up at once.

He said he has directed counsel for the state to argue in "an effective manner" in the Supreme Court to reject the Central government's clarification plea, which he said was against the court verdict, at the admission stage itself and seek necessary directions to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC).

"The government, which is functioning on the path laid down by Amma (late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa) will take all steps to uphold Tamil Nadu's rights on the issue of Cauvery and protect the interests of farmers,” EPS said.

IANS inputs

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