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Karaikal verdict, sign of people's resentment

Rajesh Nair

It resulted in the Congress losing all four seats it held

PONDICHERRY: The electoral jolt the Congress suffered in the Karaikal region indicates the resentment of the people against the previous government.

For long, they have been complaining about the lack of development and the apathetic attitude of the administration to their problems. These include bad roads, contaminated drinking water, unemployment, ineffective sewerage system, poor garbage management and loss in income due to crop failure.

The results are an eye-opener for the Congress that lost all the four seats it held.

`A referendum'

Rama Srinivasan, a freedom fighter in Karaikal, terms the results a referendum against the territorial administration. Mr. Srinivasan, who has been campaigning for separate statehood said, "The high turnout and the result should be taken seriously by the government."

S.P. Selvashanmugham, convenor of the Karaikal Struggle Group, which had given a call to people to vote against the sitting MLAs, said the new government's immediate priority should be to help the ailing agricultural sector. "The development of Karaikal cannot be achieved without uplifting the farming community. A committee should be constituted to address the problems plaguing the agricultural sector."

The comprehensive water supply scheme for Karaikal, proposed in the 2000-2001 budget, should be implemented, says Mr. Selvashanmugham. A separate Minister for the Karaikal region will be the best way to solve many of the problems.

Demands aplenty

Some of the other demands of the Group are, implementation of the Thirunallaru development scheme with the involvement of local people, developing the Karaikal-Peralam-Kumbakonam road as a national highway to facilitate smooth flow of traffic to the Thirunallaru temple and an underground drainage system. There is also a demand for establishing a medical college. "At present, those with serious illnesses have to be taken to Chennai or Thanjavur for treatment. The General Hospital is inadequate to deal with any emergency situation," says Al-Taher a businessman.

`No jobs for locals'

He further says though there are big industries in the area, especially ceramic units, not many locals are employed. "Concerted steps should be taken to bring in more industries and also give a share of the jobs to locals. This will be of great help to the large segment of unemployed youth."

Says Ganapathy, president, Village Irrigation Association, "The new administration should prevail upon the Tamil Nadu Government to discharge 6tmcft of Cauvery water when the Mettur dam is opened."

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