CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president, M. Karunanidhi, on Sunday termed as "disappointment" the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's directive on the constitution of a three-member panel on crop pattern and water requirements of all the riparian States.

In a statement, the DMK leader said the directive had come when people of the State had expected a favourable verdict on the dispute. A meeting of leaders of all the party's allies would take place here on Tuesday.

BJP's plea

The Bharatiya Janata Party urged the DMK and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to take up jointly the case of the State with the Centre on the Cauvery row.

"They should not try to settle political scores. Instead, the ruling party and the Opposition should collectively fight to protect the interests of the State," Bandaru Dattatreya, the party "prabhari" (in-charge) for Tamil Nadu, said.

He demanded that all the Union Ministers hailing from Tamil Nadu exert pressure on the Prime Minister to ensure that justice is done to the State on the Cauvery row.

CPI(M) reaction

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary N. Varadarajan, in a statement, described the Tribunal's decision as unacceptable.

This would only delay the resolution of the dispute by 10 more years when advice had been obtained from different experts. The Central Government should take steps to enable the Tribunal to give its final order on the basis of the work done by it.

It should also ensure the implementation of interim order of the Tribunal, Mr. Varadarajan added.

DK plans demonstration

The Dravidar Kazhagam leader, K. Veeramani, said the Chief Minister and leaders of the Opposition should represent to the Prime Minister on the issue. As the dispute was a matter of life and death, there should be no lethargic or indifferent approach on the part of anyone.

The Prime Minister and the Union Water Resources Minister should come forward to resolve the issue.

The party would stage demonstrations in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur and Lalgudi to highlight the case of the State, Mr. Veeramani added.

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