CPI plans all-party meet on Karna move to build check dams

The CPI state unit today said it would take steps to organise an all-party protest against Karnataka's plans to construct check dams across the Cauvery river.

CPI state unit Secretary D Pandian said his party would write to all parties first and meet the respective leaders if required.

Speaking to reporters here, he extended his party's support to protest movements in the Cauvery delta districts and said the proposal to galvanise all parties was the 'next level' in this issue.

While there were sporadic protests in different parts of the state, Karnataka did not seem to heed Tamil Nadu's demands, he said.

"Cutting across political affiliations, parties, trade unions, farmers' unions and traders' unions should stage a massive demonstration to draw Centre's attention," he said.

This issue was just not confined to Tanjavur or Tiruvarur or Nagapattinam, but concerned the entire Tamil Nadu and its economy as Karnataka's efforts would severely affect agriculture in the Delta districts, he said.

Pandian said Tamil Nadu's rights on Cauvery was established after a long-drawn legal battle and that Karnataka had taken a 'unilateral decision' to build check dams at Mekedatu even as the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) was yet to be constituted.

He said his party will make efforts to hold such an all-party demonstration next month.
On the Mullaperiar row involving Kerala, which insists that the dam was weak, he said the Supreme Court had given its verdict in favour of Tamil Nadu based on the report of technical experts and said politicians should not make adverse claims about its safety.

He also criticised the attack on a PWD engineer when local MLA Bijumol visited the dam last week.

On BJP's plans to expand its base in Tamil Nadu, he said CPI was committed to stall any such ambitions.

He also faulted the Narendra Modi-led government for 'imposing' Sanskrit by making it compulsory in its-run Kendriya Vidyalalya schools.