Thiruvananthapuram: Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Sunday termed the stand taken by his successor Pinarayi Vijayan on Mullaperiyar dam as unfortunate. It was also against the policy the Assembly and an all-party meet unanimously adopted.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in New Delhi on Saturday that he felt there was no immediate need for a new dam. He had said the Tamil Nadu government’s report on reinforcing its structure cannot be dismissed. Also, there is no reason to invoke sentiments in the name of the dam, and both the states can have a bilateral talk.
In fact, the election manifesto of the LDF had promised a new dam to replace the century-old structure. “Mr Vijayan should change his stand, and I expect him to do so. He is concerned about the security of the people. The previous government too wanted a new dam,” said Mr Chandy.
KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran also reacted against the shift in the stand, saying it was a challenge to the people, and it neglected the Assembly, political institutions and the public. “Chief Minister should reveal the motivation behind the change in stand. The State had reacted in a single voice on the issue from the beginning,” he said in a Facebook post.
KPCC vice-president V. D. Satheeshan also posted his protest on Facebook saying Mr Vijayan was deceiving people. He expressed reservations about the outcome of the various cases which are pending before the Supreme Court.
