Kerala CM rejects demand for all-party meet on Mullaperiyar

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday rejected the opposition United Democratic Front's (UDF) demand to convene an all-party meeting on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, saying there was no new development over the matter.

He also said there was no change in Kerala's stand that a new dam was the need of the hour, but that cannot be achieved without the support from Tamil Nadu and the Centre's consent.

"There is no need to call an all-party meeting on the Mullaperiyar issue. There is no fresh issues in this regard. If there is any fresh problem, only then there is need to call such a meeting," Vijayan told reporters at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Press Club in Thiruvanathapuram.

The UDF had sought an all party meeting to discuss the Mullaperiyar issue in view of the confusion over Chief Minister's remarks over the safety of the dam during his recent New Delhi visit.

While Tamil Nadu believed that the dam was strong, Kerala's argument was that the century-old dam was in a dilapidated state and weak, he said.

"Both Tamil Nadu and the Supreme Court have not agreed to our argument. That is why we want an Internationally acclaimed panel of experts to study the dam's strength," he said.

The neighbouring state's support was essential to resolve the matter, he said.

"It cannot be attained through confrontation. We are not for that. The dispute should be settled through discussions," he added.

The chief minister also said he discussed the matter with the members of Mullaperiyar Protection Council, a forum which was for a new dam considering the safety of the local people, and they had no objection to his views.