The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Talks on dam have not failed: Karunanidhi

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Wednesday, Dec 06, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Talks on dam have not failed: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

M.Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi asserted in the Assembly on Tuesday that talks between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar issue had not failed and reiterated the need for finding an amicable solution to the issue with a spirit of friendly neighbourliness.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had attended the meeting convened by the Union Minister of Water Resources in New Delhi on November 29 only with the consent of the parties that participated in the all-party meeting convened by the Government on October 23. "If leaders of the political parties in the State issue a statement tomorrow asking the Government not to participate in the talks, we are prepared to go to the Supreme court the day after tomorrow, accepting their suggestion." He said the talks between him and his Kerala counterpart should be viewed as a prelude to the second round of talks. Only if a positive signal were received from the Tamil Nadu team taking part in the talks, would the Government opt for another round of negotiations.

Justice never fails, he said, adding that in the event of it meeting with failure, "we will sacrifice ourselves to assert it." He cautioned against any surmise that a solution could be evolved to the issue because of the cordial relations between Central and State Governments. The Centre should be viewed as extending support to fairness.

He also recalled the agreement reached between the two States on the Neerar, Parambikulam and Siruvani issues through talks.

He welcomed the stand of the Opposition parties, including the AIADMK, that the Government should act fast on the issue, as it amounted to supporting the efforts to find a solution to the issue.

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