MK Stalin slams Centre on new Cauvery management body

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working President MK Stalin on Tuesday slammed the Central government for betraying Tamil Nadu with respect to the Cauvery issue.

Following a meeting between the opposition parties here, Stalin said both the State and Central government have failed to constitute a Cauvery board with all its statutory powers

"We condemn both state and central government, who have failed to constitute Cauvery Board with all its statutory powers. We also condemn the police atrocities and violence that took place in Tuticorin during the protest," Stalin told media.

He, along with leaders of major parties in Tamil Nadu, is opposing the Central government's draft scheme on distribution of the river's water among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

The meeting comes days after the Supreme Court approved the draft scheme drawn up by the Centre, which includes setting up of a board to ensure smooth release of water.

Earlier on February 16, the apex court ordered the Centre to set up the Cauvery Water Management Board CMB and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) within six weeks, in regard to the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.