The Hindu : Neyveli show will go on

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Oct 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Neyveli show will go on

By S. Dorairaj

CUDDALORE OCT. 9. Will the proposed agitation by the Kalayulaga Cauvery Agitators' Forum led by the director, Bharatiraaja, at Neyveli on October 12 demanding stoppage of power supply to Karnataka be effective?

The question looms large in the minds of the people, in the wake of developments, which have overtaken each other in quick succession in the last 24 hours.

Only late this evening, there was confirmation that the Neyveli show would go on and actor Vijaykant would lead his team. The official machinery was fully involved in the preparations here, after a confusing day yesterday.

Known as a trendsetter in outdoor shooting in the Tamil tinsel world, Mr. Bharatiraaja would not have faced such a dilemma in choosing locations for his films, even in the neighbouring Karnataka, as he did, selecting a venue for the star-studded agitation at the lignite town.

Claiming to have convinced the film fraternity, besides obtaining the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa's nod for organising the rally, Mr. Bharatiraaja and his team comprising six film stars, technicians and others in the field, had a marathon session from 9.45 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., discussing among themselves and with State Government officials at NLC's Neyveli House. Neither the NLC management, which extended hospitality such as provision of food, the discussion venue etc. to the team, nor the CISF, security providers for all vital installations in the sensitive NLC zone, were represented. However, the team called on the NLC CMD, S. Jayaraman, to present a memorandum seeking permission for the demonstration before the NLC's corporate office or the thermal power station TPS-II.

After the confusion for about eight hours over the issue, Mr. Bharatiraaja told presspersons in the evening that a place on the Kumbakonam-Chennai highway had been chosen for starting the procession at 2 p.m., while the demonstration would be held before the NLC's corporate office around 5 p.m. But, to a query, he said the demonstration would be ``certainly held'' before the TPS-II even if permission was denied and the time would be revealed later. However, when reporters asked for clarification, he did a volte face, saying if a ban was imposed around the TPS-II, which had been supplying 199 MW power to Karnataka, they would not violate it, but would merely fight, demanding permission to stage the protest there.

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Neyveli show will go on