 "Karuna worried about linking his family, not river interlinking: Jaya")
Batting for interlinking of rivers, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today took a dig at archrival DMK for including it in poll manifesto and asked why it remained silent when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi opposed the proposal in 2009 though the two were allies.
Addressing an election rally in support of AIADMK's Virudhunagar candidate D Radhakrishnan, she said that river interlinking was a "dream" of famous poet and freedom fighter Subramanya Bharathi and "AIADMK is determined in implementing it."
She said DMK had also made the promise in its various poll manifestos, including for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls.
"The whole world knows Karunanidhi is worried only about linking his family, not about river interlinking," she said sarcastically.
She alleged Karunanidhi had made the bare minimum effort to implement it since Congress-led UPA was not in favour of the proposal.
Recalling Gandhi's opposition, she said he said river interlinking was "dangerous" and would have "severe" environmental implications.
"Did DMK show any opposition to this remark? Did it press the Congress government for withdrawal of the opinion? Did it say it will withdraw support (on this issue) or release a statement condemning the Centre? Did the (then DMK) government (in 2009) at least write to the Centre? DMK did none of these," she said.
Nobody was ready to believe DMK on its promise of interlinking of rivers as it had done nothing in the last 17 years on this issue, she said.
In its election manifesto for the April 24 LS polls, DMK had promised to link river Ganga with those running in South India like Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar, Vaigai, Tamirabarani and Neyyar to meet the all-round drinking water needs.
Addressing an election rally in support of AIADMK's Virudhunagar candidate D Radhakrishnan, she said that river interlinking was a "dream" of famous poet and freedom fighter Subramanya Bharathi and "AIADMK is determined in implementing it."
She said DMK had also made the promise in its various poll manifestos, including for the April 24 Lok Sabha polls.
"The whole world knows Karunanidhi is worried only about linking his family, not about river interlinking," she said sarcastically.
She alleged Karunanidhi had made the bare minimum effort to implement it since Congress-led UPA was not in favour of the proposal.
Recalling Gandhi's opposition, she said he said river interlinking was "dangerous" and would have "severe" environmental implications.
"Did DMK show any opposition to this remark? Did it press the Congress government for withdrawal of the opinion? Did it say it will withdraw support (on this issue) or release a statement condemning the Centre? Did the (then DMK) government (in 2009) at least write to the Centre? DMK did none of these," she said.
Nobody was ready to believe DMK on its promise of interlinking of rivers as it had done nothing in the last 17 years on this issue, she said.
In its election manifesto for the April 24 LS polls, DMK had promised to link river Ganga with those running in South India like Krishna, Cauvery, Pennar, Vaigai, Tamirabarani and Neyyar to meet the all-round drinking water needs.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%