Mullaperiyar dam row: LDF resents joint control proposal

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision of Kerala's Congress-led UDF Government to agree for joint control of the proposed new dam at Mullaperiyar seems to have jeopardised political consensus on the issue in the state with the opposition LDF coming out strongly against the proposal.

CPI(M) veteran and opposition leader in the Kerala assembly V S Achuthanandan today said the idea of tripartite control of the new dam would seriously harm the state's interests.

He also took exception to the Oommen Chandy Government for making such a radical shift in stand without taking the entire political spectrum into confidence.

"This is a unilateral decision. It will harm the state's interests seriously. The opposition will discuss this and take a strong position against the government's decision", Achuthanandan told reporters in Thrissur.

Kerala cabinet had on Wednesday decided to convey its position that the state was ready for joint control of the new dam with Tamil Nadu and the Centre before the Supreme Court empowered committee scheduled for today.

The new position is seen as a shift from its earlier stand that the ownwership, control and maintenance of the new dam should be vested with the state.