PWF skips INO, Eelam Koodankulam issues

Under the headline ‘river water disputes’, the PWF manifesto has pointed out that if voted to power the alliance government will take steps to restore water level in the Mullaiperiyar dam to 152 feet. At a time when the Left parties in the state are known to go soft on this issue, the assurance in the manifesto is seen as a welcome step towards ensuring the livelihood of thousands of farmers.

Interestingly, the CPMled Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) in Kerala in its manifesto has pledged to build a new structure as the existing dam at Mullaiperiyar poses a serious threat to the people of Kerala.

However, it is reliably learnt that even the LDF is not keen on taking the issue as the main poll plank. “We are concentrating on more important issues that demand immediate attention of our people in this election,” senior CPM leader MM Mani told DT Next and pointed out that any emphasis on this issue at this point would cause tension between people of the two states. 

Though the Left parties in the state have come to a consensus with their counterparts, MDMK and VCK, on Mullaiperiyar, the manifesto is silent on other issues like KKNPP, neutrino observatory and separate Tamil Eelam.

While MDMK leader Vaiko and VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan are known for their aggressive stand in demanding that the nuclear power plants in Koodankulam should be shut down and a separate Tamil Ealam should be created, both the Left parties are not convinced about taking this stand.

“It is a victory for PWF as the Left parties have taken a deviation from their known stand on Mullaiperiyar,” a MDMK functionary said and added that the differences should not be given undue importance as the PWF members will take an amicable decision in the future.