TN parties flay Centre’s U-turn in SC, accuse it of favouring Karnataka

Tamil Nadu political parties on Monday condemned the Centre for its U-turn on setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), which would smoothen sharing of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Tamil Nadu political parties on Monday condemned the Centre for its U-turn on setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), which would smoothen sharing of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi said the Centre’s decision against setting up the Cauvery Management Board was aimed at the Karnataka assembly elections, which is due in a few months. (PTI File Photo)

The Centre has conveyed to the Supreme Court that it needs parliamentary approval to set up the board, a deviation from its stand on September 30, when it said it had no reservations on forming the CMB.

Read | Centre seeks modification of SC order to set up Cauvery Management Board

Led by the ruling party, AIADMK, and opposition DMK, all condemned the Centre’s decision, claiming it would only help Karnataka, which was flouting Supreme Court orders and refusing to release water to Tamil Nadu.

DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi said the decision was aimed at the Karnataka assembly elections, which is due in a few months. As a result, the BJP-led central government has lost its objectivity and is belittling the Supreme Court, the DMK chief said.

AIADMK spokesperson CR Saraswathi too lashed out saying the neighbouring state was wilfully disobeying SC orders.

PMK founder S Ramadoss and MDMK general secretary Vaiko too condemned the Centre. The response that the government needed Parliament’s approval for setting up the CMB is not acceptable to Tamil Nadu, which has been fighting for over a decade for this, Ramadoss said. Vaiko echoed similar sentiments.

Read | After 2 weeks, Karnataka finally agrees to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu