DMK chief urges AIADMK to back no-trust motion

To pressure the ruling AIADMK in Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery issue, DMK working president MK Stalin on Saturday urged Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to support the no-confidence motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party against the BJP-led government at the Centre. In a letter to the Chief Minister, he said the ruling party should use this opportunity to establish its right over the Cauvery waters. 

He also said that the Minister should have “at least a drop” of the “anger, feeling, dedication and guts” shown by TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Stalin’s statement comes a day after AIADMK hinted at its decision of not supporting the motion by expelling its spokesperson who announced support for TDP if the centre did not set up a Cauvery Management Board.

Stalin said Palaniswami should announce AIADMK’s support for the no-trust motion and apply pressure for setting up of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC). 

Pointing out that the Supreme Court on February 16 had ordered the Centre to set up CMB and CWRC within six weeks of its order, he said the Centre has been delaying that keeping in view the upcoming Assembly polls in Karnataka, which is not enthusiastic about the Board.