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Let us be patient, says Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

“No room should be given for violence on both sides as polls are approaching in Karnataka”

CHENNAI: Appealing to the people of Tamil Nadu to “temporarily keep patience” on the Hogenakkal issue, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Saturday that he had the “unshakable belief that soon after a popular government assumes office in Karnataka, it will realise that justice is on our side” and facilitate implementation of the project.

“Let the general elections in Karnataka be over – then we will have talks; if necessary we will agitate; let us all hope that such a situation for agitation will not arise and the unity of the nation will be preserved,” he said in a statement here.

Karnataka goes to the polls in May.

Over the past week passions have flared in the two States, following Tamil Nadu’s move to use its share of water from the Cauvery for drinking purposes in the water-starved and fluoride-affected Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. Inter-State traffic came to a halt for a few days, business establishments were attacked, cinemas shut and political parties in both States tried desperately to gain mileage from the issue.

Mr. Karunanidhi said that no one who had faith in the unity, sovereignty and integrity of the nation could accept the continuance of anger and agitation witnessed in the past few days.

“Let the past incidents be past. We should all come forward and conduct a peace march to ensure that all that is going to happen is good and for the welfare of the people,” he said.

“I wish to categorically emphasise that on both sides no room should be given for violence, as general elections in Karnataka are fast approaching.” Mr. Karunanidhi said that if, even after a new government comes to power, the same situation of non-cooperation continued, then Tamil Nadu would act to save its self-respect.

“If, after that, [after a new government came to power] the present situation continues, we will prove to the world that the Tamils will not lose their self-respect and give away their rights, even if they lose their lives and properties,” he said.

He expressed the hope that this would not happen. He said that he had the firm belief that justice would win and an elected government would not stand in the way of a drinking water project. “Let me raise my voice and say; whatever has happened in the past, let us not continue and let us stop from today; let us wait patiently expecting cooperation from the new rulers of Karnataka,” he said.

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