LDF shoots down move against dam

Thrissur: The ruling LDF at Athirappilly Grama Panchayat has opposed the move by the opposition Congress to pass a resolution against the proposed controversial Athirappilly Hydel Power Project by constructing a dam upstream of the waterfalls.

Congress member Jaya Thambi moved the resolution but there was a ruckus in the council meeting held the other day and voting on it was cancelled.
 Ms Thambi said that before moving the resolution, she had sought the support of the lone CPI member and vice-chairman Karuppa Sami and that of the CPM member.

But there was opposition from the ruling LDF when the opposition sough a vote on the resolution. District Congress functionary Joseph Taget, who is in-charge of DCC’s agitation against the project, said that the district CPI should make their stand clear on the matter in the context of CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran’s visit to Athirappally a few weeks ago.  He had stated his party’s stand that the project would only remain a dream.

CPI district secretary K K Valsaraj told DC that there was no need for a resolution and because the CPM had made it clear that the project would be implemented after reaching a consensus.  “If the state government decides otherwise, we will come up with a resolution against the project,” he said.