Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday slammed chief minister C Joseph Vijay, alleging that TVK govt’s “inexperience,” has cost Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery water.Speaking to reporters, he said the state govt had failed to uphold the rights secured through the long legal battles fought by previous AIADMK and DMK govts over the inter-state water row. Stating that the present administration is incapable of handling the issue, he reiterated the need for an all-party meeting.“All-party meetings and consultations with farmers’ associations were held whenever the Cauvery water dispute and Mekedatu project issues flared up during previous AIADMK and DMK regimes. The previous AIADMK govt also secured a permanent solution through a Supreme Court verdict in 2018. However, the present govt is unable to uphold the state’s rights. This is painful, and I am unaware of what this govt is up to,” Palaniswami told reporters after paying tribute to the statue of freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai in Chennai.Reiterating his demand for an all-party meeting on the Cauvery issue, Palaniswami said Karnataka govt respected all political parties and farmers’ associations, which is why it convened an all-party meeting. However, TVK govt lacked knowledge about the long struggle over Cauvery water and was hence` inefficient’ in handling the issue.He said the govt should hold a meeting with all stakeholders, including farmers’ associations and legal experts, to protect the state’s rights over Cauvery water. He also demanded a compensation of ₹25,000 per acre to farmers who are suffering due to the non-release of Cauvery water.AMMK chief T T V Dhinakaran and CPI state secretary M Veerapandian also demanded that TVK govt convene an all-party meeting. “This govt hesitates to meet the leaders of opposition parties like DMK and AIADMK, which sets a wrong precedent,” Dhinakaran said, noting that the present govt should consult veteran leaders like former minister Duraimurugan over the Cauvery issue.
