Take stir as a pointer, change mindset, AIADMK tells Centre

Amid continuing protests over Cauvery issue, the ruling AIADMK, which is largely friendly with the BJP-led Centre, today said the NDA government should change its attitude in respect of Tamil Nadu.

Citing the widespread protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Tamil Nadu visit yesterday over the Cauvery issue, AIADMK mouthpiece "Namadhu Puratchi Thalaivi Amma," today said it was because of the Centre's "failure to be impartial".

"How the black (an apparent reference to black balloons and black flags marking the visit of Modi) has come..? Tamils are on the boil as the Centre failed to maintain its impartialty," the daily said.

Listing out issues, including Tamil Nadu's plea for exemption from NEET, and cyclone relief but avoiding a direct reference to Cauvery issue, a write-up in the daily said how people will not be angered if such 'betrayals' continued.

"Without waiting anymore, it will be good if the Central government changed its mindset, and avoided partiality," the daily said.

If this was not done, "it will lead to cracks in unity and integration," (of the nation), it warned.

A slew of black flag protests and release of black balloons across the state over the Cauvery issue marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's one day visit here yesterday for the DefExpo and another function.

DMK and several other parties and pro-Tamil outfits staged the protests over Centre's 'inaction' to constitute the Cauvery Management Board.

The opposition parties have also been attacking the AIADMK government of not exerting adequate pressure on the Centre.