TIRUCHY: Former minister R Kamaraj asserted on Saturday that AIADMK is the only political party in the State that has consistently backed the farming community and fought against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka.

He alleged that the TVK government had failed to fulfil its election promise of waiving crop loans and was maintaining silence over Karnataka’s move to construct the Mekedatu dam, which he said would affect Tamil Nadu farmers.

AIADMK organised a protest in Tiruchy condemning the Mekedatu dam project and demanding that the TVK government fulfil its crop loan waiver promise. Party members led by Kamaraj converged at Marakadai and raised slogans against the government.

Addressing the protesters, Kamaraj said AIADMK had consistently raised issues concerning farmers and was known as a pro-farmer party. He alleged that the TVK government had no concern for farmers and had failed to fulfil its crop loan waiver promise.

Speaking to reporters later, Kamaraj criticised the Congress for remaining silent on Karnataka’s efforts to construct the Mekedatu dam. He said the Congress, which he alleged was part of the TVK government, should prevail upon the Congress government in Karnataka to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests.

“Tamil Nadu Congress does not have the guts to say anything against Karnataka. If Tamil Nadu Congress is concerned about the farmers, they can approach the Chief Minister of Karnataka, who is also from Congress and get the due share of water to Tamil Nadu,” Kamaraj said.

He said AIADMK MPs had opposed the Mekedatu project in Parliament and that the party continued to fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu farmers.