LENDING AN EAR: DMK president M. Karunanidhi chairing a DPA meeting in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Democratic Progressive Alliance leaders on Tuesday demanded withdrawal of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal order and asked the tribunal to consider the material placed before it.

A resolution adopted at a meeting here asked the Centre to take immediate steps to ensure that the tribunal pronounced its final order on an early date.

``Apart from creating confusion, the tribunal order has defeated the purpose for which it was set up," it said. The tribunal should give its final order based on arguments and supporting evidence.

"Send telegrams"

The resolution also urged people of the State to send telegrams to the tribunal, asking it to reconsider the order passed by its two Members.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president M.Karunanidhi later told reporters that he hoped that the Centre shared the views of the DPA. It could ask the tribunal to reconsider the order as the final order was nearing.

All the four States had given statistics needed and supporting materials.

The details of land under cultivation and water requirements had been given. These would suffice to arrive at a final solution. There was no need to begin a fresh enquiry.

Copies of the resolution would be sent to Prime Minister, Mr.Karunanidhi said. He would brief United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi about the issues arising out of the order.

On the question of impleading in the State Government petition in the Supreme Court questioning the tribunal order, Mr.Karunanidhi said the legal aspects were being discussed. He declined to comment on the timing of the order and said one should not attribute ulterior motives.

Mr.Karunanidhi, who returned here after his completing the second leg of his election campaign, said he was very glad with people's response. ``As of today the DMK is gaining strength to form a Government on its own.''

On the reported enumeration of houses without television by the DMK, he said there was no official enumeration. The DMK headquarters had not sanctioned it.

Posing a counter, he said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was announcing new schemes each day and wanted to know why the authorities were not examining these.

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