Even as the deadline to set up the Cauvery Management Board expires at 5pm on Thursday, actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth urged the Centre to implement the Supreme Court’s order.
In a tweet on Thursday afternoon, Rajinikanth said, “With regard to the Cauvery issue, the only acceptable, just solution is the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board as per the Supreme Court's verdict. I sincerely hope justice will prevail.”
காவிரி விஷயத்தில் உச்ச நீதிமன்ற தீர்ப்பின்படி காவிரி மேலாண்மை வாரியம் அமைப்பது ஒன்று மட்டுமே நாம் ஏற்றுக்கொள்ளக்கூடிய நியாயமான தீர்வாக இருக்க முடியும்.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) March 29, 2018
I sincerely hope justice will prevail.
Rajinikanth’s views come even as the Tamil Nadu government is reviewing options before the Supreme Court in a meeting at Fort St George.
According to media reports, the Tamil Nadu government intends to file a contempt of court petition at the Supreme Court on March 31. The apex court is on leave on Thursday and Friday on account of Mahavir Jayanthi and Good Friday.
Meanwhile, reports also suggest that the Centre is planning on seeking a clarification from the top court regarding the interpretation of its judgement. The main contention in the order remains the word ‘scheme.’
While Tamil Nadu argues that “scheme” means complying with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal to set up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), Karnataka, on the other hand, argues that there is no mention of the river management board and only a ‘scheme’ is mentioned.
On Wednesday, AIADMK’s Rajya Sabha MP Navaneethakrishnan had threatened mass suicide by all AIADMK MPs if the Cauvery Management Board is not set up.
Leaders in Tamil Nadu have slammed the Centre for its delaying tactics to appease the people of Karnataka even as elections are due in May. In his first criticism of the BJP-led government at the Centre, Rajinikanth had earlier in March said, "The Supreme Court has passed an order on CMB but the Centre is delaying it. The Tamil Nadu government must exert pressure on the Centre for its formation as early as possible."
While there was concern among political leaders in Tamil Nadu that the Centre would not be able to set up the Board once the Model of Code of Conduct came into effect owing to the Karnataka Assembly Elections, the Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for the CMB, stating, “Whatever is the direction or the order of the honourable court and compliance thereof, Commission and MCC doesn't come in the way.”
On February 16, the Supreme Court had delivered the final verdict on the Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In its modified order, Tamil Nadu would get 177.25 tmcft water, while Karnataka would get 14.75 tmcft more than it was allocated in the previous judgement. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to “frame a scheme” within six weeks to ensure its final decision is implemented.