As Tamil Nadu reels under the worst water crisis, the ruling AIADMK on Saturday performed 'yagna' in temples across the State, while the Opposition DMK staged "empty pot" demonstrations, urging the Government to take steps to address the issue.
Senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar took part in a 'yagna' at a Shiva temple here and planted saplings in the premises of the shrine.
He told reporters that performing yagnas was "an expression of faith", hoping that the Almighty will answer their prayers for rain.
DMK leader and former city mayor Ma Subramanian, who led an agitation here, hit out at the AIADMK, saying executing plans with rationale alone could help address the situation. "Conducting such rituals have no utility," he told PTI.
Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani took part in a 'yagna' at Patteeswaram temple in Coimbatore district.
As Velumani took part in prayers, hundreds of DMK cadres staged a protest, seeking the Minister's resignation for his "failure" to create necessary infrastructure for water supply. Talking to reporters later, he said the move to bring water from Jolarpet in Vellore district to Chennai would not affect the water availability there. Former Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai took part in a prayer in another city temple. Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan participated in a puja at Pachamalai Murugan temple in Erode district.