AIADMK MP does a U-turn on resignation

NEW DELHI, DHNS: AIADMK MP S Muthukarappan on Monday released to media his letter of resignation from the Rajya Sabha over the Cauvery issue but withdrew it following requests from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam.

Muthukarappan, who has two years left in his tenure, had released the resignation letter he was to send to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu protesting against the delay in setting up of Cauvery Management Board (CMB).

As the news spread, the chief minister and deputy chief minister urged him not to do so. "I didn't submit my resignation letter to the chairperson following request by the chief minister and deputy chief minister. I have taken back my resignation," he said.

Muthukarappan had last week announced that he will quit the Upper House following the Centre's alleged reluctance in setting up the CMB as ordered by the Supreme Court.

"The Centre has been delaying implementation of the Supreme Court order that came after marathon legal battles initiated by late Amma Jayalalithaa. The Tamil Nadu chief minister and the deputy chief minister have been exerting pressure on the Centre on this issue. MPs of the party have been protesting for the past fortnight on the issue. The party is evolving strategy on the issue by consulting top leaders," he said in the letter.

"Despite the pressure exerted, the Union government has delayed the CMB formation and hence I resign my position," Muthukaruppan said in the resignation letter that was released to the media.

Last week, AIADMK Rajya Sabha leader A Navaneethakrishnan created a flutter when he said all party MPs will commit suicide if the Cauvery Board is not constituted.

Following criticism that the party's protests in Lok Sabha has allowed the ruling BJP to evade no-trust motions moved by the Opposition parties, the AIADMK has said that it will move such a motion if the DMK and the Congress support their demand.