CHENNAI
Makkal Needhi Maiam leader Kamal Haasan on Thursday said that the Cauvery Management Board must be formed without any further delay. “Forming the CMB is the only way forward,” he said.
Raising doubts over what is ‘scheme’ or ‘authority’ is merely procrastination. “The Interstate Water Tribunal Act (clause 6A) clearly defines ‘scheme’. Both the States need water and we need an authority for that. Vote politics should not be played in this issue,” said Mr. Haasan.
Answering why he was not criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and only putting pressure on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the issue of forming the Cauvery Management Board, he said, “The Prime Minister can do this if he wants to do it. I am not trying to out-think the Prime Minister. I can only say what we require. Tamilian farmers and people require water.”
“Please, you have the authority to form the CMB and you have to do it,” Mr. Haasan added.
The ‘pedestrian perception’ is that the Centre is delaying the formation of the board because of Assembly elections in Karnataka. “I too believe that,” he said.
Mr. Haasan urged the State government to put pressure on the Centre to ensure the formation of the Board. “If the State government doesn’t exert pressure and ensure the formation of the CMB, it will go against the people of Tamil Nadu. On behalf of the people, I will meet the Chief Minister,” said Mr. Haasan. “If the MPs who have said that they will resign follow through with action…I will welcome it,” he said.
Slams Sterlite
Mr. Haasan revealed that he would be participating in the protests against the Sterlite factory. “I think it has to be closed. Enough money has been made — not just for repairs. At least, do not expand further. All laws have been flouted. It is an impending tragedy waiting to happen. We don’t want something like Bhopal happening in Thoothukudi,” Mr. Haasan said.
