BJP’s Poll Promise For TN On Cauvery May Upset Karnataka

The BJP has promised the people of Tamil Nadu that it would take steps towards getting the Central government to set up a Cauvery Management Board so that the State gets its share of the Cauvery river waters. The voter-friendly gesture may not go well with the neighbouring Karnataka.

In its manifesto for the 16 May assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party also promised an introduction of prohibition and writing off of farm loans from cooperative banks; payment of farm loans lent by nationalised banks by the Tamil Nadu government, interest-free agricultural loans and loans at low rates for purchase of agricultural implements.

The BJP manifesto also promises higher prices for farm produce like sugarcane, turmeric and paddy.

However, the party seems to have overlooked the consequences of the Cauvery board in Karnataka. This announcement will defeat the whole purpose of appointing BS Yeddyurappa as State party unit to renew its bid to capture power in Karnataka. Cauvery is an emotive issue in both TN and Karnataka. While TN is poll-bound, Karnataka will go to polls in the next two years.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi several times urging the Central government to set up the Cauvery Management Board to manage the sharing of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Meanwhile, the other promises made by BJP to the people of Tamil Nadu are a subsidy for compost manure, direct transfer of fertiliser subsidy to farmers, 50 percent subsidy for rearing country cows, linking rivers in South India, promoting inland water transport after linking of rivers, formulation of a new industrial policy, 50 percent subsidy for setting up of solar power, issuing electronic ration card, introducing Lokayukta to probe corruption in high places, yoga and meditation classes in schools from class six onwards, and steps to allow the bull taming sport ‘Jallikattu’.

And at ground zero, the MDMK general secretary Vaiko has said that the voters in TN should support the Vijayakant-led electoral alliance for the formation of a liquor-free and corruption-free government, which has been ruined by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for decades now.

He charged that both the DMK and the AIADMK had discreet understanding in liquor procurement for Tasmac from the manufacturing units being run by their heavyweights.

“Corruption and liquor are the two common features that closely link the DMK and the AIADMK,” Vaiko said.

He promised the voters that there would be no room for corruption and liquor in the administration under Vijayakant, as the alliance partners, who would be the part of the government, would never allow governance to move towards these evils.

Maragatha Meenakshi Raja, granddaughter of the freedom fighter VO Chidambaram, pledged support to Vijayakant-led alliance and canvassed votes for the coalition along with Vaiko. She addressed the voters at Sankarankovil and other places on Tuesday.