It is celebration time again for the AIADMK cadre, particularly those in the southern districts. Not in a mood to miss the opportunity it has gained from the Periyar reservoir row, the party is planning a ‘victory conference’ in Madurai on July 28 in which party leader and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is expected to participate.
After the Monitoring Committee of the Supreme Court inspected the Mullaperiyar dam three days ago, the shutters were lowered so as to raise the water level to 142 feet from 136 feet.
This would benefit not only Theni and Dindigul district farmers, but also to a large extent the farmers in Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram districts.
While political parties and many farmers’ associations have welcomed the decision, the AIADMK, in a masterstroke, plans to celebrate it in Madurai.
After taking up the issue with Finance Minister O. Paneerselvam and district secretaries from five southern districts - Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram – the party leaders have decided to make arrangements for the celebration at an indoor meeting of the party leaders held here on Sunday.
The meeting, which according to party sources, lasted for about an hour, decided to invite Ms. Jayalalithaa to conference.
“It was here in Madurai that our leader had staged a demonstration to raise the water level to 142 feet in Periyar dam...Having emerged victorious, we want to honour and felicitate her now in the same venue,” said Cooperation Minister Sellur K. Raju. Apart from partymen, farmers’ associations have also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister.
