M Karunanidhi dismisses CS’ clarification; seeks probe

Continuing to target the ruling AIADMK over the issue of discharge of excess water from Chem-brambakkam lake recently, the DMK chief on Tuesday slammed the government’s response on the matter and asked it to recommend a judicial probe.

Karunanidhi said while the issue had been raging for some time, Chief Secretary K Gnanadesikan had given a “make-up” explanation on Sunday, where he had denied any red-tapism. Gnanadesikan had also slammed the ‘malicious’ allegations by opposition that officers were awaiting Chief Minister’s approval for releasing excess water. 

The DMK and other opposition parties had alleged huge quantum of release from the Chembarambakkam lake into Adyar river caused the unprecedented floods in the wake of torrential rains on December 1 and 2. 

“If there were hard-hitting facts, the statement would have come in the name of the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Instead, making the Chief Secretary do the reply shows that there are gaping holes (in the matter),” Karunanidhi said.

He wondered why the Chief Minister or Gnanadesikan had not convened a press conference to explain the situation and also questioned the delay in responding to the allegations made by opposition on the issue and also reports in this regard earlier. 

The Dravidian patriarch claimed there were discrepancies in the Chief Secretary’s statement about the quantum of release of water at different points of time and sought an explanation. 

The DMK chief, who had submitted a memorandum to Governor K Rosaiah demanding a judicial probe into the alleged delay in the opening of the dam, said if things had gone according to the book, the state government should not shy away from constituting an enquiry commission to look into the matter.