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NT Bureau
Chennai, Feb 11:

        Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has lamented that the sensitive inter-State river water- sharing disputes on Cauvery, Palar and the Mullaiperiyar are being utilised by some to make a political career out of issues which affect the daily life of the people.

        In an official release here yesterday, the Chief Minister said such politicians who seek to cash in on such livelihood issues are quite desperate just like men who had fallen into a well and want to climb over by getting hold of anything.

        Explaining that sharing of waters between States had to be done sensibly as it affected the lives of people, Karunanidhi said the disputes should be solved amicably without disturbing peace and order.

        'People belonging to different southern States live in various States in the South for various livelihood reasons,' the Chief Minister said adding that nothing should be done to disturb such well-integrated social fabric and peace.

        Regretting that the Cauvery dispute has remained unresolved for the past 38 years, the Chief Minister said besides the vexatious dispute, the perils created by politicising such a sensitive issue was more painful and disturbing.

        'Settling all disputes amicably, upholding peace is my primary concern,' Karunanidhi said and recalled the efforts made by him and the former Chief Minister of Karnataka S M Krishna to rescue Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar from sandalwood smuggler and forest brigand Veerappan to ensure peace and friendly relations between the people of Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

        'When we struggle to protect the interests of our State, some try to paint it as if we were bent on usurping the rights of other States,' Karunanidhi said and reinforced the need for patience and understanding for adjudication of sensitive issues.

        The Chief Minister also said the final award of the tribunal had agreed to most of the demands of the State and rejected only seven. Interestingly, this came a day after AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa wanted the Chief Minister to spell out in clear terms whether the award was in the interests of the State or not.

        Karunanidhi also said the government would not hesitate to discuss the entire issue with leaders of all political parties, legal and irrigation experts besides farmers.