Mekedatu: TN MLAs stage separate sit-in protest

Puducherry/ Bengaluru:  MLAs of DMK,an ally of the ruling Congress and those in the opposition AIADMK on Wednesday, December 5 staged a separate sit-in protest at the chamber of Speaker V Vaithilingam, demanding a special assembly session to condemn the Centre for granting permission to Karnataka to prepare a Detailed Project Report on Mekadatu dam across Cauvery river.

DMK legislature party leader R Siva, who led the party’s protest, sought immediate announcement of the date of a special session of the assembly to discuss the issue.

He said that if the DMK construction of the dam were permitted, it would curtail the release of water to lower riparian states.

The Speaker told the member that he would discuss the plea with Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, who was now away in Kerala and arrange for the special session.

On this assurance, the DMK members gave up the stir and left the Speaker’s chamber.

A few minutes later, opposition MLAs A Anbalagan, A Baskar and Vayyapuri Manikandan barged into the chamber and squatted on the floor, urging convening of a special session of the Assembly to adopt a resolution on the matter.

The Speaker contacted the Chief Minister over the phone and informed him of the protests by the members.

He later told the members that a decision for a special session would be taken soon after the chief minister returned from Kerala, following which the members dispersed.