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Jayalalithaa observes fast on Cauvery issue; flays Centre, TN govt

She demanded notification of Cauvery Tribunal's final award and accused the UPA and the DMK government in the state of "betraying" the state's interests."

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CHENNAI: The Cauvery does not look much different since 1993, but AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, one of the players of the political drama surrounding the riparian dispute, did as she observed a fast on the issue in Chennai on Sunday. And, the clever touch of dye that blackened Jayalalithaa’s hair did not help.

Some 20,000 AIADMK cadres from across the state thronged Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, clogging approach roads, hailing Amma and flaying chief minister M Karunanidhi. But it was just no match for her 1993 fast at the Marina beach that had then water resources minister V C Shukla rushing to Chennai with the promise of a fair share of Cauvery waters for TN.

Putting up her first big show since the 2006 poll debacle, Jayalalithaa went straight for Karunanidhi’s jugular. “He doesn’t want more water for Tamil Nadu since that would be risking the revenues for his family-run television network in Karnataka. He is lying when he says the final verdict cannot be notified before 90 days.”

Jayalalithaa’s cavalcade arrived at Valluvar Kottam at 9 am amidst frenzied crowds ferried from the districts. Clad in a maroon-coloured saree and flashing the ‘V’ sign at her supporters from her Tata Sumo, Jayalalithaa looked slightly different from the huge cut-outs and hoardings depicting her at the venue-The streak of grey hair on the cut-outs were missing in real.

Facts underscored more difference between 1993 and 2007. Then, she was the chief minister, still enjoying the ‘honeymoon with the people’ after the 1991 electoral triumph. Now, she is the Opposition leader trying to recover from the 2006 drubbing. Then, she was on an indefinite fast that ended after the Centre’s assurance on the fourth day (July 22).

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