CMB issue should be resolved over discussions, says Pon Radhakrishnan

Chennai: Contending that the Cauvery issue will not be resolved so long a Congress government is in power in the neighbouring Karnataka, Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has claimed post Supreme Court verdict on the dispute, discussion alone could bring an amicable solution to the vexatious water sharing issue.

“Following the judgment by the Supreme Court, the Cauvery issue should be resolved through discussions by the States concerned and not through violent protests,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said on Sunday.

Denouncing the opposition parties, particularly the DMK and Congress for disrupting normal life in Tamil Nadu while staging agitations seeking the immediate constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB), Mr. Radhakrishnan said “it the feeling of each and every Tamil that TN should get Cauvery river water.”

Lashing out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly saying that Karnataka need not provide Cauvery water to TN if the Congress regains power in that State, Mr. Radhakrishnan said TNCC chief Su Thirunavukkarasar should have condemned such a remark of his leader.

The Minister claimed that the issue would not be solved amicably if the Congress returned to power in Karnataka (which is facing Assembly elections). Mr. Radhakrishnan reiterated that the BJP-led government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would solve the issue keeping in mind TN's interests.

He also condemned DMK working president M. K. Stalin's announcement on showing black flags at the PM during his Chennai visit on April 12 to
inaugurate the DefExpot 2018.