Though the leaders of the Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, the original petitioners who approached the court demanding equitable distribution of the Cauvery waters, are by and large happy with Friday’s Supreme Court verdict on the quantum of water to be allocated to the riparian States, politicians in Tamil Nadu, especially the regional party leaders are unanimous against the court order.
“Tamil Nadu has been denied justice. The Chief Minister should convene an all-party meeting and chalk out an action plan for agitating against injustice meted out to the State,” said MK Stalin, leader of the Opposition and working president of the DMK. He blamed the AIADMK leadership and the BJP for sacrificing the interests of the State. Anbumani Ramadoss, the PMK’s youthful leader also said that the apex court order was unfortunate and Tamil Nadu stands to lose.
But Mahadanapuram Rajaram, president, CDFWA, one of the oldest and largest farmers’ wing in Tamil Nadu, said that the farmers were by and large happy with the verdict delivered by the Supreme Court. “The Karnataka Government should release the water meant for Tamil Nadu,” said Rajaram over telephone from Mahadanapuram village in Tiruchi district. He said the Cauvery Management Board too should be constituted immediately.
R V Giri, all-India president, Consortium of Indian Farmers’ Associations (CIFA) too expressed satisfaction over the verdict. “But the politicians in Tamil Nadu would not allow the peaceful settlement of the water distribution agreement. They want this to continue as a burning issue as that would serve their interests ,” said Giri.
There are reports from AIADMK sources that the State Government may soon file a review petition. Rajaram said that the court order alone would not be a panacea for the water starved Tamil Nadu. “Steps should be taken to interlink Godavari and Cauvery which would ensure that both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka get sufficient water,” said Rajaram.
Subramanian Swamy, senior BJP leader, said that it was time Tamil Nadu stopped its obsession with Cauvery. “The only viable solution is to set up four or five major desalination plants along the Tamil Nadu coast. This would be a permanent solution to the water shortage faced by the State. We should not be seen at the mercy of Karnataka,” said Swamy.
A Y Dangore, one of the top scientists of the Atomic Energy Commission who is credited with the setting up of the desalination plants at Madras Atomic Power Station and the Kalpakkam township agreed with Swamy’s view. “ Dr Swamy is correct and the Tamil Nadu Government should listen to him. The desalination plants along Tamil Nadu coast are viable, feasible and economical,” said Dangore. The question is whether the political leadership would pay heed to what the BJP leader says.