Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Saturday accused the State and the Centre of failing to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu’s farmers.
Speaking at a demonstration held near the Collectorate to protest against the delay in the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board, Mr. Dhinakaran said the Supreme Court’s direction on the Cauvery issue was clear — It directed the Centre to constitute the CMB within a specified time frame. But the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre delayed the formation of the board in order to gain political mileage ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections.
Mr. Dhinakaran said the AIADMK government had equal responsibility to forcefully highlight the importance of the CMB and press the Centre on the issue.
“The State government should have conveyed the sentiments of the farmers of Tamil Nadu to the Centre in a convincing manner. But it failed to rise to the occasion. The Edappadi K. Palaniswami-led government has been adopting a soft approach towards the Centre. The rulers of the State are not ready to criticise or oppose the BJP as they are fearful of losing power,” Mr. Dhinakaran alleged.
Terming the Palaniswami-led government “anti-people”, the AMMK leader said it had utterly failed to deliver on all fronts and only wanted to remain in power at all costs.
