Convene all-party meet on inter-state issues: TNCC to TN government

CHENNAI: Echoing demands by DMK and others, Tamil Nadu Congress today urged the ruling AIADMK to convene an all-party meeting on inter-state issues such as Mullaiperiyar and Cauvery and lead a delegation to meet the prime minister for raising Tamil Nadu's concerns.

"Chief Minister O Panneerselvam should convene an all-party meeting and take representatives of parties to meet the prime minister and the concerned minister in Delhi to raise our concerns," TNCC President E V K S Elangovan said.

Referring to the similar demands by DMK chief M Karunanidhi and PMK founder S Ramadoss, he said, "In a democratic country, it is wrong not to take the opinions of other party leaders on an issue that concerns all of us."

Noting that all-party meetings were convened by Chief Ministers of Kerala and Karnataka on Mullaiperiyar and Cauvery issues respectively, he said, "They are conveying their concern to the Centre in one voice. But, Panneerselvam has not at all convened an all party meeting."

On the reported speech by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an election rally that Tamils should forget the past, Elangovan said, "How can anyone forget the killing of thousands of Tamils by the government in the Island?"

While the Congress was against LTTE and its late leader V Prabhakaran, it "cannot accept the ways of Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa" since his government has moved over 25,000 Sinhalese in the 1.5 lakh houses built in the Island with the aid of Indian Government during the UPA regime, he said.

"The houses were meant for ethnic Tamils in the Island.. So we believe that Rajapaksa is an enemy of Tamils in the Island and there wouldn't be any benefit if he continues to be the president," he said.

Asked about efforts taken by Congress to gain political influence in the state, Elangovan, who recently took over the as TNCC chief, said, "We are going to go to the people. I have met former leaders of the party and the next step is to restore the ground the party held during the past."

Earlier, a meeting of TNCC functionaries and senior leaders passed 12 resolutions, including those on Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar and AIADMK Government.