AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa on Monday termed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s refusal to nominate a representative to the committee on the Mullaperiyar dam issue as “improper”, saying the decision could affect the State’s prospects.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said that in the absence of its representative on the panel constituted by the Supreme Court, Tamil Nadu’s case might not be highlighted, hence letting Kerala, with which the State is locked in a row on the dam issue, getting the report in its favour.
“In that case, would not the Supreme Court be in a position to deliver a verdict against Tamil Nadu? If so, should not the Supreme Court be approached again which could lead to more delay?” she said in a statement here.
The Supreme Court has appointed a five-member committee, headed by former Chief Justice A.S. Anand, to look into the safety aspects of the dam which is more than a century old.
She said that it was “improper” on the part of Mr. Karunanidhi to make the announcement without considering various factors and charged the DMK chief with “compromising” Tamil Nadu’s rights.
She demanded that the State appoint its member to the committee to “reflect” and uphold its rights.
On Saturday, Mr. Karunanidhi had said that it was repeatedly proved that the dam was safe and to drive home this fact, the State would not nominate its representative to the committee.
Tamil Nadu is opposed to a new dam saying repairs to the existing structure would do, while Kerala insists that the dam is unsafe and poses threat to people living downstream.
