Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday said that Tamil Nadu would never give up its rights over the Mullaperiyar dam and create problems for farmers in that area in future.
Asked about the Centre's submission before the Supreme Court seeking two months' time on the issue, he said the question had been raised with the objective of provoking him to point an accusing finger at the Centre. “It is unnecessary.”
“Farmers are not facing any crisis immediately. That does not mean that we remain unperturbed. Our concern is that we should not create any adverse situation for the farmers by giving up our rights over the dam,” he told reporters after presiding over the DMK MLAs' meeting held at Anbagam, the headquarters of the party's youth wing.
CM to campaign
Mr. Karunanidhi said he had decided to campaign for the party candidate in Pennagaram constituency because the people were expecting him there. “In the past I have visited Pennagaram many times to propagate the ideas of the DMK. Now I don't like to disappoint the people of the constituency.”
Asked about the PMK's allegation that the budget was disappointing, Mr. Karunanidhi said the PMK had a lot of disappointments and he could not help it.
Mr. Karunanidhi, while refuting allegations that workers involved in the construction of the new Secretariat were not being given basic requirements such as drinking water, said the government had organised a feast along with music treat for them. “We have made them happy.”
Asked about the AIADMK members coming to the House in black shirts, he said they could have foreseen that Ms Jayalalithaa's application in the Supreme Court seeking an interim stay on the proceedings in the special court in Bangalore would be dismissed.
When his attention was drawn to the grievances of reporters about poor seating arrangements in the press gallery in the Assembly and lack of proper view of the proceedings, he said it would be rectified. “The arrangements are temporary since it was the first day. Soon we will arrange a proper place.”
Information Minister Parithi Ellamvazhuthi, who was present during the press conference, said proper arrangements would be made for reporters soon.
