Mullaperiyar Dam Issue - Kerala CM Oommen Chandy to meet Prime Minister

Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will meet the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Thursday regarding the Mullaperiyar issue. Oomen Chandy said that he will try his best to make the Prime Minister aware of the true facts. Chandy also said that he would write to Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalitha detailing the threat faced by the people. He also said that he is ready to meet the Tamil Nadu chief minister for a discussion. Chandy was meeting the news reporters after a cabinet meeting. Chandy said that Kerala will not withdraw its demand for a new dam. He also said the issue has brought a change in the mindset of even Tamilians after the stand taken by Kerala that it is ready to give water to Tamil Nadu from the new dam. Chandy said that he doesn't know why Tamil Nadu disagree with the proposal of new dam when it benefits both states.

The Tamil Nadu government opposes the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project on the safety issue, but the same people are reluctant to adopt the same stand in the Mullaperiyar issue where the lives of three million people are on stake. "Why this double stands ?" Chandy asked. The cabinet meeting has also decided to call a special Assembly meet on 9th December to discuss the Mullaperiyar issue. It was taken after discussing with the opposition.

The water level of the dam should be brought down to 120 feet urgently. It has also been decided to reduce the water level in the Idukki dam by generating more power. If water in Mullaperiyar overflows, the Idukki dam should be able to contain that. It will give a breather for the people for a while. Safety for Kerala and Water for Tamil Nadu, this is the stand of Kerala, the CM said. The leaders of UDF and LDF including KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala and Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, visited the dam on wednesday, offering support to the people on strike for a new dam. They said that all political parties are united in the Mullaperiyar issue. Meanwhile the opposition leader V S Achuthanandan had decided to go on a fast on December 7 on the problem. The fast is from 8 am to 5 pm.

The Kerala high court has also asked the state government to file a statement on the saftey measures on the Mullaperiyar issue. The bench of Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice PR Ramachandra Menon were considering three petitions.

The issue has been reaching fever pitch for a couple of days. While Kerala is arguing for construction of a new dam, Tamil Nadu is noway agreeing it.
Meanwhile, the hunger strike of ES Bijimol MLA demanding the new dam has entered to its 5th day in Chapath. Idukki MLA Roshi Augustin has also joined them. It is beside the relay hunger strike that started on 2006 December 25th.