Chennai, Aug 7:
DMK Organisation Secretary R. S. Bharathi on Friday accused the Tamil Nadu government of staging a “drama” in the name of a Members of Parliament meeting to divert attention from the Cauvery issue.
Addressing reporters at Anna Arivalayam, Bharathi said the proposed delimitation bill has not yet been introduced in Parliament and it was premature to hold discussions on it. “How can you name an unborn child without even knowing whether it is a boy or a girl?” he remarked, indicating that decisions can only be taken after the bill is presented and its provisions are known.
He stated that the DMK has already submitted its views on delimitation and stressed that Tamil Nadu and other southern states should not be adversely affected by any such exercise. He added that party president M. K. Stalin would take a final decision after consulting MPs once the bill is introduced and amendments are clear.
Bharathi further said the immediate concern for the state remains the Mekedatu and Cauvery water issue, pointing out that people are facing water scarcity. He recalled that the Leader of the Opposition had clearly raised the matter in the Assembly and demanded an all-party meeting.
On the proposed MPs’ meeting, he said a decision on whether to participate would be taken by the party leadership. Reiterating his criticism, Bharathi alleged that the government was attempting to shift focus from the pressing Cauvery dispute by organising the meeting.