Jayakumar goes soft, while Ma Foi flays Centre

“It appears to be the Centre’s ploy and the stance of both Centre and Karnataka are antithetical,” Pandiarajan said. He added that the hunger stir would reflect the uprising of the people and in turn make the protest a successful one. 

“Our people need water and the Supreme Court had given a fair verdict. We would exert required pressure on the Centre while we had already stalled the Parliament proceedings in a historic manner,” he said. 

Noting that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had been consulting legal luminaries on the next course, the Minister said the DMK has no locus standi to criticise the AIADMK regime on Cauvery as the present Principal Opposition was the root cause of the issue. 

Jayakumar, speaking to reporters, maintained that the rapport with the Centre was only to secure funds and developments projects and that the state would strive to defend its rights.  The Minister pointed out to the funding from Centre and listed out a few schemes such as road, and metro rail, among others. He added that it was also a fact that the Centre had trimmed down funds in its devolution. 

Even after repeated questions as to whether the state would condemn the Centre for non-implementation of the final verdict within stipulated time, the Minister reasoned that the Centre should obey the Court. He also refused to disclose the details regarding the ‘contempt’ plea which the state has planned to file on Saturday. 

Echoing the views of Pandiarajan as regards to the protest, Jayakumar claimed that they would pressure the Centre. It is pertinent to note that Jayakumar remained with the ruling dispensation when Deputy CM O Panneerselvam declared war while Pandiarajan sided with the rebels during the fissure.