DMK pledges support to Oct 17, 18 rail roko stir of TN farmers

DMK today announced it will support the 48-hour rail roko agitation called by farmers' organisations of the state on October 17 and 18 on the Cauvery issue.
"Accepting the letter given by farmers bodies seeking DMK's support and participation, it has been decided to support and participate in the proposed 48-hour rail roko demonstration in Tamil Nadu on October 17, 18 to urge the Centre to immediately constitute the Cauvery Management Board," a party release said.
DMK has asked its party functionaries to participate in the protest.
A meeting of all farmers bodies was held at DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam and it was presided by party treasurer M K Stalin. Senior leaders of the party including Duraimurugan participated.

A resolution adopted at the meeting condemned the Centre for its stance against setting up of the Cauvery Management Board in the Supreme Court, and another urged the State government to immediately convene an all-party meeting and the state assembly and adopt a resolution on the issue to protect Tamil Nadu's interests.
The meet also wanted the AIADMK regime to take a delegation of leaders of all parties and farmers' representatives to Delhi and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee on the Cauvery issue.

Stalin said the resolutions will be sent to the state government and further steps will be taken after getting its response.

"If the state government does not take steps, we will again consult farmers representatives and take a decision," he said.
The farmers' meeting comes against the backdrop of DMK announcing days ago that it would convene an all-party meeting if the ruling AIADMK failed to do so on Cauvery issue.
Also, it had said the party would lead the delegation to Modi and, if needed also meet the President on the issue.
(REOPEN MES 4)
Expelled AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister O
Panneerselvam also expressed concern over "people suffering from non-availability" of essential commodities and urged the government to address the matter.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Palaniswami assured that the government "is taking all steps" to provide essential commodities through state-run fair price shops.
"In fact, we have ordered procurement of about 20,000 tonnes of pulses while palmolein is also being procured," he said.
School Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan slammed DMK for today's protests and accused the opposition party with trying to find faults with the AIADMK government.