SC asks ‘ambivalent’ TN Governor to resolve impasse over pending Bills
As apprehensions were expressed that the Governor may go ahead with further steps on reference of Bills to the President, Chief justice Chandrachud said: “They know we are here.”
MK Stalin, the working president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), met Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit at Raj Bhavan on Friday requesting him to take up the Cauvery water issue with the Centre.
Following the meeting, Stalin told reporters that the Governor has assured that he will speak to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the matter.
Stalin said that he explained the situation to the Governor and requested that the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) before 3 May – the new deadline given by the Supreme Court to the Centre to present a scheme.
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“We explained the situation in the state and wanted the governor to pressurise the Centre to set up the Cauvery Management Board even before the Centre presents its scheme to the Supreme Court on May 3,” Stalin was quoted as saying in reports.
“The Governor said that he understands our feelings. He said, ‘I will speak to the Prime Minister and involve myself in facilitating your meeting with him’,” said Stalin quoting the Governor.
He added that the protests demanding the creation of the CMB will continue till the Board is constituted.
Stalin had on Thursday concluded his padayatra in Cauvery delta districts.
The DMK has been leading the protests over the Cauvery water sharing issue in Tamil Nadu. It has consolidated the support of all the other opposition parties to protest against the Centre’s failure in adhering to the six-week deadline given in its 16 February order to form the Board.
The DMK leader submitted a memorandum by the Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee to the Governor on behalf of all the other protesting parties which joined the protest call by the main opposition party.
On Thursday, supporters of DMK and other parties as well as outfits led by Tamil film personalities staged a black flag protest at the Chennai airport when the Prime Minister arrived to attend the Defence Expo 2018.
A series of protests, including a shutdown in various parts of the state, have been held since 29 May after the expiry of the deadline given to the NDA government.
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