Chorus for CMB gains momentum in TN

The Opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu on Sunday asked the government not to settle for anything "less than" the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) to ensure timely release of water by Karnataka from Cauvery river.

Sunday also saw rebel AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran holding a day-long fast in Thanjavur in the heart of the Cauvery delta region demanding immediate constitution of CMB.

At its regional conference held in Erode in western Tamil Nadu, the DMK adopted a "special resolution" urging the state government to ensure that the state's rights are not compromised within the sensitive Cauvery river water issue.

"The Tamil Nadu government should be uncompromising on (the stand of) setting up of CMB and should not let any other panel to be set up... and it should insist the Centre that CMB should be constituted at the earliest," the resolution moved by DMK working president M K Stalin said.

Stalin also warned of "massive protests" with the help of farmers if the CMB was not formed.

Speaking at the fast venue, Dhinakaran claimed that the BJP-led Centre will delay the formation of the CMB with an eye on the Assembly polls in Karnataka.

"The people of Tamil Nadu should fight for the formation of the CMB. Political parties in the state should keep their differences aside and show unity on the Cauvery issue," Dhinakaran said.