DMK flays Centre for seeking change in Supreme Court order

Party chief M Karunanidhi said the Centre has “belittled” the Indian judicial system and “betrayed” Tamils by making such a submission in the apex court. He also urged the state government to convene an all-party meeting and hold a special sitting of the state Assembly to discuss the matter. 

“Those in power at the Centre (BJP) have taken a sudden, biased decision with an eye on the Karnataka polls scheduled in 2018. It (Centre) has completely echoed Karnataka’s voice. This is condemnable,” he said in a statement. 

Unable to find a foothold in Tamil Nadu, BJP has resorted to such a move with the hope of at least winning the Karnataka polls, he said. This amounted to “belittling Indian justice delivery system and betraying Tamil people.” 

The Centre has only echoed the statements of Karnataka Ministers in the Union Cabinet on the Cauvery issue, he alleged. “Under these circumstances, the decisions of the Centre (moving the apex court) and Karnataka (not to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu) should be unitedly opposed by all in Tamil Nadu. At least at such a critical juncture, the Tamil Nadu government should convene an all-party meeting and a special session of the Assembly to discuss (the Cauvery issue),” he said. 

The Centre moved the apex court on Monday seeking modification of its earlier order asking it to constitute CWMB by Tuesday. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the court that the Centre should not have been asked to constitute the CWMB as the main civil appeal on the issue was still pending and the task of setting up the board fell under the domain of the Executive. 

Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president HD Deve Gowda on Monday appreciated the Centre for changing its stand on constituting the Cauvery River Management Board. He told presspersons here on Monday that the Union government had responded positively to the State’s demand. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken my hunger strike seriously. Now, the Centre has corrected the mistake it committed on September 30,” he said. The Centre had earlier agreed to constitute the board. However, on Monday it changed its stand. Gowda said he had spoken to Modi on the issue and appealed to him not to constitute the board. “Let’s see what happens,” he added.