SALEM: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) on Saturday attacked the TVK govt in Tamil Nadu, alleging that it had “no understanding whatsoever” of the Cauvery water dispute and failed to secure the state’s rightful share of monthly allocations.Speaking to reporters after flagging off two ambulances donated by Tirukoilur MLA S Palanisamy in line with his election promise, he said despite sufficient storage in Karnataka’s reservoirs, the state govt had not pressed effectively for water release. “Because of their inexperience, delta farmers are left without water and are struggling to survive,” he said.On the chief minister’s Independence Day speech projecting a trillion-dollar economy by 2036, Palaniswami said, “See if he will even be in power until then. Already he cannot implement court orders secured during our regime. Surplus water is flowing from Karnataka dams, but the govt has delayed action and failed to carry out maintenance in the delta.”He criticised the TVK govt’s handling of the Mekedatu dam issue. “They could not even bring a proper resolution in the assembly. We will press for a tribunal. Since the resolution was already moved by the chief minister, any amendment must follow due procedure. That has not been done, and we have approached the high court,” he said.Referring to the murder of a Coimbatore college student, he said the loss of a student’s life was unacceptable. “I raised the issue in the assembly, and the govt has promised to give a reply on Monday. Strict action must be taken against those responsible.”Palaniswami accused the TVK govt of failing to introduce any new schemes in its first 100 days in office. They simply rename existing projects as ‘Victory’ schemes. Farmers were promised complete waiver of crop loans, but the chief minister has deceived them. “This is a reels govt, not a real one,” he said.EPS said the AIADMK remained the voice of the people. “If we had been in power, we would have prevented the rise in rice prices. As the opposition, we are doing our duty. It is the ruling party that must resolve the crisis. But today, Tamil Nadu has only a silent chief minister,” he said.
