Stalin urges delta voters to reject BJP, AIADMK

Voters in the delta region should reject both the AIADMK and the BJP for “betraying” the interests of Tamil Nadu in the Cauvery issue, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said here on Saturday.

Mr. Stalin addressed an election rally at Koradacherry near Tiruvarur on Saturday, and sought votes in favour of DMK candidate for the Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency, S. Murasoli, and Communist Party of India nominee for the Nagapattinam seat, V. Selvaraj.

The Chief Minister traced the contributions of the DMK and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in upholding the rights of Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue, and recalled the contributions of the DMK, right from demanding the constitution of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in 1969 to getting the final award of the Tribunal.

The AIADMK and the BJP, on the other hand, had only compromised the State’s interests on the issue, he said.

Even when the Supreme Court upheld the final award of the Tribunal, the AIADMK’s compromising stand resulted in Tamil Nadu losing about 14.75 tmc of its share of Cauvery water, he charged.

Later, the BJP contended that the Supreme Court was not empowered to constitute the Cauvery Water Management Authority

‘The AIADMK and the BJP had only compromised the State’s interests on Cauvery issue’

(CWMA) and did not implement the court directive as the people of Tamil Nadu did not vote for the party. “It was the DMK which launched a struggle demanding the formation of the CWMA. I undertook a rally from Mukkombu in Tiruchi,” he said.

Subsequently, the BJP constituted a toothless authority and later brought it under the Jal Sakthi Ministry.

“The AIADMK did not raise any objection on both occasions. The people of the delta should realise their betrayal and shun them,” Mr. Stalin said.

He accused the BJP of failing to fulfil its promises, including an assurance to double the farmers’ income. Instead, the party brought in the three farm laws, which triggered a massive protest. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami had supported the laws.

The BJP did not have the heart to extend support to the people of Tamil Nadu when they were affected by floods, Mr. Stalin said.

He contended that if the BJP came to power again, there would be no federalism in the country.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Stalin canvassed votes for Mr. Murasoli during his morning walk and at the Kamaraj market in Thanjavur.