Condemning the Union government’s stand on Cauvery river water dispute, Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu accused the BJP dispensation at the Centre of “dilly-dallying” on setting up of Cauvery Management Board (CMB) with an eye on Karnataka elections.

DMK working president M K Stalin, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam deputy general secretary TTV Dhinakaran and PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss condemned the Union government’s action of failing to submit a scheme for implementation of the award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

In a statement, Stalin, who is also the leader of Opposition, warned of “bigger protests” against the BJP government. Dhinakaran said. “The softness with which the state government approached this issue all through has emboldened the Centre to keep asking for more time,” he said.

PMK’s Anbumani said, “The excuse sought today by the Union government before the Supreme Court shows the blatant betrayal of Tamil Nadu and its farmers.”