Thanjavur, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday led a major demonstration in Thanjavur, accusing the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led state government of failing to safeguard the State’s interests in the Cauvery water dispute and demanding immediate measures to protect farmers in the delta region.
The protest, organised by the DMK, focused on three key demands: preventing Karnataka from proceeding with the proposed Mekedatu balancing reservoir project, announcing a complete waiver of agricultural loans, and declaring the Cauvery delta districts drought-affected in view of the severe water shortage.
Addressing party workers and farmers, Udhayanidhi said the condition of the Cauvery river had become a matter of grave concern, pointing to the unusually low water levels during the recent Aadi Perukku festival, which is traditionally celebrated to mark the river’s abundance.
He said the dry riverbed reflected the seriousness of the water crisis confronting the state.
The DMK leader alleged that inadequate efforts by the State government had left farmers facing an uncertain agricultural season.
He claimed that many cultivators had already lost the kuruvai crop because of insufficient water availability and warned that prospects for the upcoming samba and thaladi cultivation were also under threat if adequate Cauvery water was not secured in the coming weeks.
Launching a sharp attack on the ruling administration, Udhayanidhi described the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as “incompetent and incapable” of effectively handling the long-standing inter-State river dispute.
He argued that the government had failed to take decisive steps to protect Tamil Nadu’s rightful share of Cauvery water and ensure relief for farmers.
He also criticised several members of the State Cabinet. Referring to Water Resources Minister N. Anand, Udhayanidhi alleged that the Minister avoided interacting with the media during the ongoing water crisis.
He further targeted Agriculture Minister R. Vinoth, claiming that the Minister had taken the Agriculture Budget documents to the Tirupati temple to seek divine blessings instead of addressing the challenges faced by the farming community.
Escalating his criticism, Udhayanidhi remarked that individuals with questionable backgrounds had been appointed as Ministers and described the entire Cabinet as being “full of clowns.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition K.N. Nehru, senior DMK functionaries, leaders of alliance parties and a large number of party cadres participated in the demonstration, reiterating the Opposition’s demand for stronger action to secure Cauvery water and safeguard the interests of farmers across the delta region.
Source: IANS
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