Focus more on Cauvery than on Godavari link: TK Rangarajan
Rangarajan also pointed out that the proposed linkage of Godavari and Cauvery rivers will have a long process including land acquisition.
Tiruchy: Senior CPI (M) leader and Rajya Sabha member T.K. Rangarajan urged the BJP Government at the Centre to concentrate on ensuring Cauvery waters for the farming community in Tamil Nadu than mooting linkage of Godavari and Cauvery rivers, as the latter would take at least 25 years to implement.
Mr. Rangarajan, who is also member of the Central Committee was here in connection with the DREU-CITU's central committee's executive held at Tiruchy on Monday.
He also pointed out that the proposed linkage of Godavari and Cauvery rivers will have a long process including land acquisition, etc. It will not give immediate benefit to the people of Tamil Nadu especially, the farmers. Instead, Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi should take a special look at the long-pending Cauvery waters dispute.
Replying to a question, Mr. Rangarajan said the Centre should clarify its announcement on linking Godavari and Cauvery whether it is a political announcement or a scientific announcement. If it is a scientific announcement, the Government should come out with the total expenses for the proposed project, and how long it will take for its implementation and other details.
He said the CPI (M) will consult M.K. Stalin on meeting Mr. Modi with a delegation of all the newly elected MPs from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to insist on him to solve the Cauvery waters dispute, besides ensuring release of Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu from Karnataka, for the 'Kuruvai' paddy cultivation this year.
Asked about both CPI (M) and CPI facing the prospect of losing national political party status after the recent general elections, he said the party's central committee will meet shortly and discuss the issue.
Stating that both Centre and Tamil Nadu governments faced anti-incumbency in the recent elections, Mr Rangarajan said the lack of unity among regional parties in the northern states was yet another major reason for the big defeat of Congress and other parties.
B.K. Madhavan, assistant general secretary of the DREU said that today's meeting was to discuss the DREU's strategy on the trade Union recognition election to be held shortly.