Twitter
Advertisement

Mullaperiyar row: Kerala CM meets Tamil Nadu Finance Minister

Kerala was prepared to pass a legislation in the assembly and give it in writing in Supreme Court that it would give water to Tamil Nadu, Chandy said.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Amid the raging Mullaperiyar dam row, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today met Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam and offered that his state was ready to pass a legislation promising to give water to its neighbour.

Kerala was prepared to pass a legislation in the assembly and give it in writing in Supreme Court that it would give water to Tamil Nadu, Chandy said after the first interaction between the leadership of two states after the controversy broke out.

"I expressed the view of Kerala to him (Panneerselvam). First time after this controvery we are meeting any leader from Tamil Nadu...first time," he said and asserted that it's not a water issue.

Chandy and Panneerselvam were here to attend the meeting convened by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Chief Ministers of south zone states and union territories and CEOs of public sector banks and financial institutions.

Chandy said he clearly expressed to Panneerselvam that "our approach has been 'water for Tamil Nadu, safety for Kerala'.     It's not a water issue at all."

He said Kerala knows the importance of Mullaperiyar water to Tamil Nadu, where five districts depend on it. "It's our cause also. Water for Tamil Nadu is our issue also", he said, noting that Kerala gets fruits and vegetables from the neighbouring state.

"We want to settle Mullaperiyar issue. We have to take care of the people downstream", Chandy said,adding, the dam is more than 115 years old and built with old technology. "People are in a panic situation. We have to take care of the safety of the people," Chandy said.

He said Kerala wants cordial relations with Tamil Nadu as both states have close connections. Tamil people were completely safe in his state. "Some media are creating panic situation (rumours about attaks on Tamils in Kerala)".

Chandy said Panneerselvam told him that he would convey Kerala's feelings to Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

On Home Minister P Chidambaram's remarks on the Mullaiperiyar dam issue, Chandy noted that the former withdrew his statement this morning.

Asked if he is "happy" that Chidambaram has withdrawn his statement, Chandy said he expressed his feelings yesterday that a national leader and Union Minister has to avoid such statements.

"Today he has withdrawn his statement", Chandy said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement