Cancel Mekedatu nod or don’t enter TN: Stalin to PM

Addressing an all party protest in Tiruchy, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the permission given for a dam at Mekedatu across river Cauvery. “Otherwise, Modi cannot enter the state,” Stalin warned. “We cannot prevent any natural calamity, but the artificial calamity caused by Modi-led BJP government to the people of Tamil Nadu will never be forgotten and forgiven,” Stalin said referring to the destruction caused by Cyclone Gaja and the announcement of the nod for a DPR for Mekedatu dam before the Delta districts could recover.

“We have been opposing their move legally when Karnataka allotted Rs 25 crore in the 2015-16 Budget and it should have been stopped by the BJP-led Centre, but they did not as they have special interests in Karnataka,” Stalin claimed.

He pointed out that Karnataka will certainly prevent flow of water to Tamil Nadu with the construction of the Rs 6,000 crore project.

Stalin also blamed the BJP of sidelining Tamil Nadu due to the party’s inability to gain a foothold in the state. “Modi is aware of it and so they have been sidelining Tamil Nadu always. But it is the duty of the state government to protest against the Centre. The AIADMK government should show manliness in opposing the Centre’s move. But they continue to sleep. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami does not even try for staying the project,” charged Stalin.

“The Chief Minister is keen on obtaining a stay for CBI investigation on Highways tender case by approaching the Apex court after the High court ordered for an inquiry against him. But he failed to approach the SC on Mekedatu issue which affects the farmers,” he added.

Referring to the speeches of Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko that the Prime Minister Modi will be shown black flag and prevented from entering into Tamil Nadu as it was done during the Cauvery water issue, Stalin warned that Modi had to face the same situation if he does not withdraw the permission given to construct dam across Mekedatu.

Stalin also condemned the Prime Minister for not visiting Cyclone Gaja-hit regions and for allotting a meager amount towards relief and rehabilitation works in the state.

 All the opposition party leaders, who participated in the protest called by the DMK, used the platform to showcase their solidarity to DMK president MK Stalin and vowed to make him sit in the chief minister’s seat. CPI state secretary R Mutharasan initially declared, “DMK president MK Stalin is leading our front and he is our Chief Minister candidate.” CPM state secretary Balakrishnan thanked Stalin for leading the front. “I promised Kalaignar during his last days that I would be protecting Stalin as I was moving like a shadow behind you (MK) and it is time, that we all will swear to make him the Chief Minister,” Vaiko said. TNCC president S Thirunavukkarasu also hailed Stalin and praised his handling of the Mekedatu issue as most responsible.