Tiruchirappalli: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Vijay over the Mettur dam water release programme and questioned his silence on securing Cauvery water from Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters at Samayapuram in Tiruchirappalli district, Nagendran alleged that the state spent around Rs 5 crore on the Chief Minister’s visit for opening the Mettur dam, contrasting it with the cost of constructing the dam, which he claimed was Rs 4 crore. He described Vijay as a “costly” Chief Minister.
Nagendran further claimed that the dam should have been opened on June 12, and that the delay had affected cultivation, leaving about two lakh hectares of farmland uncultivated. He also alleged that the Chief Minister had not spoken to the Karnataka government about releasing Cauvery water.
Pointing to the Congress being in power in Karnataka and being allied with TVK in Tamil Nadu, he questioned why the Chief Minister remained silent on Tamil Nadu’s share of water. He also criticised Congress and TVK leaders for “fighting” over the Prime Minister’s post and referred to a Congress minister’s threat to resign.
On the live telecast of Assembly proceedings, Nagendran said TVK believed people would enjoy watching it, but argued that viewers were noticing the party’s conduct in the House. He warned that the impact of the telecast could be “worse” in the days ahead.
