CM Edappadi K Palaniswami pitches for Modi as PM in Thanjai campaign

THANJAVUR: “People should vote for stable government at the centre, and for providing that stability they should elect Narendra Modi as Prime Minister again through the April 18 Lok Sabha elections,” said Chief minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami at Kumbakonam on Sunday.

Campaigning for S. Asaimani, AIADMK candidate for Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency, Palaniswami said that a solution to the 50-year-old Cauvery issue was found only through legal battle of the AIADMK government led by J.Jayalalithaa.

Though the final award of the Cuavery Water Disputes Tribunal came in 2007, DMK which was sharing power at the Centre did not do anything to gazette the order, he said. Only in 2013, with efforts taken by J. Jayalalithaa, former chief minister, the final award was gazetted. “AIADMK MPs stalled both houses of Parliament demanding formation of Cauvery Management Board. Following this Supreme court passed the order to form the CMB. Finally the centre formed the Cauvery Management Authority and water regulation committees, he pointed out.

“M.K. Stalin, DMK president said that I don’t draw much crowd. But this crowd braving scorching sun at Kumbakonam is an example for people attending my meetings. Stalin described me as an earthworm. Yes I am an earthworm who is the friend of farmer.

But Stalin is a virus. The virus should be removed,” Palaniswami said.

He defended giving Rs 1,000 for ration card holders for Pongal and then Rs 2,000 for people below poverty line. “Government should implement welfare measures for people and we did this on that basis. DMK is objecting to this” he said. Check dams will be constructed at three places in Cauvery delta to store water, he said. Godavari and Cauvery will be linked, he added.

Later, Mr. Palaniswami campaigned at Papanasam, Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur. At Thiruvaiyaru and Thanjavur, he sought support for N.R. Nadarajan,TMC (Moopanar) candidate for Thanjavur Lok Sabha constituency and R. Gandhi, AIADMK candidate for Thanjavur assembly constituency.

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