Allies hail Jayalalithaa's feat; others caution state to be vigilant

Chennai: Political leaders in Tamil Nadu welcomed the Supreme Court judgment to form the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Regulation Committee, besides cautioning the Tamil Nadu government to be watchful and ensure that the two bodies are formed as per the guidelines given by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.

Allies and supporters of the AIADMK hailed Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for 'the greatest achievement in her political ca-reer' by getting 'a historic' verdict that would end the woes of delta farmers permanently. Leaders also focused their attention on protection to Tamils in Karnataka and urged the centre to take steps to avert riots in Karnataka.

AIADMK spokesperson C.R. Saraswathi said "It is a jewel in the crown of Jayalalithaa as the verdict is a result of her single minded pursuit of a legal solution and her long struggle for Cauvery rig-hts ever since, she became the Chief Minister in 1991. It was Jayalalithaa who got a Supreme Court verdict to gazette the final or-der of the tribunal. Now, she had found a permanent solution by getting a verdict to form the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and Cauvery Regulation Committee (CRC)".

MDMK leader Vaiko, the only opposition leader who had consistently expressed support to Jaya-lalithaa's legal initiative and reiterated that she was following the right approach said Kongu Ilaignar Peravai leader Tha-niyarasu recalled the long and uncompromising struggle of Jayalalithaa for Cauvery rights and said she held a fast for release of Cauvery water when she took over as Chief Minister in 1991. He persistent efforts to find a legal remedy had given the results.

Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan cautioned hat Centre could try to form a board favourable to Karnataka as elections are nearing in that state. Tamil Nadu government should exert pressure to form the board with proper guidelines. PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss termed the verdict 'historical' and the formation of the two bodies were delayed due to political reasons after Union Ministers from Karnataka met Union water resources minister Uma Bharathi.

The UPA government too did not form the two bodies and the failure to form the two bodies was the reason for prolonging the dispute and regular clashes every year, he said.

CPM state secretary G. Ramakrishnan wanted the formation of CMB without delay and added that 6,000 cusecs of water every day would not be enough and wanted the release of 12,000 cusecs every day.