AIADMK leaders urge PM not to support construction of Mekedatu dam
The Centre must not support Karnataka’s endeavour to build the Mekedatu dam and should expedite the Godavari-Cauvery link project, AIADMK top leaders O Panneerselvam and K Palaniswami urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Briefing reporters in the national capital, AIADMK co- coordinator Palaniswami said that during the meeting, the party requested that the Central government must not support Karnataka’s endeavour to build the Mekedatu dam.
About 16 districts depend on Cauvery river for its drinking water needs, besides farmers and the Prime Minister’s attention was drawn to this aspect, he told reporters.
Expeditious implementation of the Godavari-Cauvery link project was urged since Tamilnadu is a water deficit state and this initiative would help address its water requirements, Palaniswami said, flanked by party coordinator Panneerselvam.
The Prime Minister was also urged to take action to stop the continuing harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by ”Sri Lankan Naval personnel” who take away their fishing nets, damage boats and arrest them.
On claims of dissatisfaction of cadres with the top leadership and if there was scope for a change in the AIADMK leadership, he denied it, saying there is no discontent among workers.
”No worker is dissatisfied. The AIADMK is a disciplined party,” he said and recalled that his party led alliance went on to bag 75 seats out of the 234 segments in the recent Assembly polls.