KARUR: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam plans to raise the Cauvery Tribunal ruling on setting up a panel to study crop pattern and water requirements of the riparian states with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Denying that the ruling would hamper the Democratic Progressive Alliance's chances at the hustings, DMK president M.Karunanidhi told journalists here on Monday that the meeting of DPA leaders in Chennai would deliberate on the future course of action.

It was the DMK that passed a resolution in the Assembly in 1990 calling for the establishment of a tribunal and pursued the matter with the then Prime Minister V.P.Singh, which led to the formation of the Cauvery Tribunal. When the tribunal's final award was expected, the directive came and so the present situation needed to be discussed with the DPA leaders, Mr.Karunanidhi said.

DPA meeting

Asked why the "hasty meeting,'' if the DPA perceived that the ruling might not affect its chances, Mr.Karunanidhi claimed it was because the ruling affected the interests of Tamil Nadu and its farmers. Already 16 years had passed.

The sentiments expressed at the Tuesday's deliberations would be conveyed to Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and to the Prime Minister during his May 4 visit to Chennai, Mr.Karunanidhi said.

Claiming that hopes of a DPA victory were "growing by the day'' during the second phase of his campaign, Mr.Karunanidhi said the people's response was encouraging right through.

Asked about the impact of the Amaravathy bridge damage case, the DMK leader said there were also cases relating to nine overbridges in Chennai.

Everyone knew that the case had been foisted, he added.

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