PC draws flak for remarks on dam issue

HM had said Kerala raising pitch due to bypoll

According to reports, Chidambaram has said political parties in Kerala are raising the pitch on the Mullaperiyar controversy because of the coming by-election to the Piravom assembly constituency and that the Supreme Court will find merit in the arguments of Tamil Nadu in the case eventually.

Congress leaders in Kerala noted that if the reported statements are true, Chidambaram, who holds a responsible position at the Centre, should withdraw them. “Such statements are not expected from a Union minister who has a national stature,” they said.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said initially he could not even believe that Chidambaram could make such remarks. He added that a complaint will be filed against Chidambaram before the Congress high command.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala said it “is unfortunate” if Chidambaram had really made such remarks. Ramesh Chennithala added that he would speak to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue.

Union Minister of State for Civil Supplies K V Thomas, Kerala’s Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MPs from Kerala M I Shanavaz and P T Thomas and former speaker of Kerala V M Sudheeran are among those Congress leaders who expressed strong disapproval of Chidambaram’s alleged statement.

Former irrigation minister of Kerala and RSP leader N K Premachandran demanded that Chidambaram be sacked.  When those who are expected to mediate between Kerala and Tamil Nadu are taking sides, Kerala should stand united in the Mullaperiyar issue, said CPM leader T M Thomas Issac.

Meanwhile, though the Congress has withdrawn from all agitations in the Mullaperiyar issue following the prime minister’s assurance to intervene, the Kerala Congress (Mani), the third biggest coalition partner in the ruling United Democratic Front in Kerala, has given freedom to its lower level committees to go ahead with protests in the Mullaperiyar issue. The Idukki unit of opposition Left Democratic Front and the BJP state unit will also continue its protests.