The Tamil Maanila Congress has urged the State government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Cauvery issue and depute an all-party delegation to meet the President and the Prime Minister and press for irrigation rights of Tamil Nadu.
The party has urged the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulatory Authority to find a permanent solution to the water dispute. “The Centre must ensure the release of Tamil Nadu’s share of Cauvery water by Karnataka as per the final award of the Cauvery Disputes Tribunal and the Supreme Court directives,” the party said following a meeting of its State executive committee on Tuesday.
The party has asked the Centre to prevent Karnataka from proceeding with its plan to construct a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu. “The Central Water Commission, the Cauvery Supervisory Committee and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests should not grant permission to the project. The Centre should intervene. If the project is not stopped, the delta region will turn into a desert,” stated a resolution adopted by the party.
The construction of dams across Palar and Siruvani by Andhra Pradesh and Kerala respectively should be prevented, the party said. Citing the prevailing drought situation in the State and the hardship being faced by farmers, the party demanded waiver of all crop loans sanctioned by cooperative and nationalised banks.
The Centre should take steps to get the President’s assent for the legislation passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to dispense with the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, another resolution demanded.
Earlier, TMC president G.K. Vasan said the party reflected the sentiments of the people and stood for probity in politics. “We are a young party. Some accuse us of taking wrong decisions. Some gave us hope only to ditch us. Others who should have stood by us distanced themselves from us. But people believe in us and we should live up to their expectations,” he said and affirmed that the party would emerge as the ruling party of the State in the future.
Mr. Vasan also unveiled the “redesigned and distinct” party flag, comprising bolder images of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj and party founder G.K. Moopanar.