CHENNAI: Minister for Water Resources N Anand on Wednesday came under scrutiny for skipping the Cauvery issue and other key matters concerning his departments during his reply to the demands for grants for the Water Resources and Rural Development departments in the Assembly.

Instead of responding to the issues raised during the debate, Anand spent nearly an hour praising Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and the TVK's victory in the Assembly elections. He also repeatedly asserted that no one could purchase or lure TVK MLAs.

However, the minister did not explain the steps being taken by the government on the Cauvery issue, despite it being a major concern related to the Water Resources department. Anand said he had wondered several times why Vijay entered politics despite facing repeated hurdles after launching his party. He said he had suggested that TVK contest the elections in an alliance, but Vijay had decided to go it alone and emerged victorious.

Taking a swipe at the AIADMK, Anand said the party could have been in power had it not torn down a poster of the Vijay-starrer Sarkar during its release. He also claimed that several TVK district secretaries had initially refused to contest the elections citing financial constraints. Anand said people of Tamil Nadu had voted for Vijay rising above caste, religion and money.