TN political parties against Centre's stand on Cauvery issue

Political parties in Tamil Nadu were on Monday up against the BJP-led central government for its 'U' turn in the Supreme Court on forming the Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

The central government on Monday told the Supreme Court that it does not have the jurisdiction to direct setting up of CMB as it was just a recommendation of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal and not binding on the government.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi made the submission before the bench of Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit while mentioning the Centre's application for modification of the apex court's September 30 order that directed the constitution of the CMB.

Interestingly, on September 30 the central government had told the court that it has no objection in forming the CMB.

The Attorney General told the bench on Monday that he had made a mistake by committing to set up the Cauvery Management Board.

Condemning the central government's revised stand on the issue, DMK President M. Karunanidhi, in a statement, said the central government had taken this stand with an eye to the ensuing assembly elections in Karnataka.

He said the central government has slipped from being objective on the issue.

Karunandhi said the central government has belittled the orders of the Supreme Court and is against the people of Tamil Nadu.

He urged the ruling Tamil Nadu government to call for an all-party meeting and also a special session of the state assembly to discuss the issue.

PMK founder S. Ramadoss, in a statement condemning the central government's new stand, termed it as a big bane of the Indian political system for Tamil Nadu to fight for more than a decade for the setting up of the CMB.

Ramadoss said the central government's contention of needing Parliament's approval for setting up the CMB is not acceptable and also strange.

He said no such approval was obtained when the Bhakra Beas Management Board was set up.

Ramadoss also demanded convening of an all-party meeting in the state to discuss the issue.

MDMK leader Vaiko, too, opposed the central government's stand on the issue.

--IANS

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