THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader-elect Ramesh Chennithala flayed the stand of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the Mullaperiyar dam and for also striking an imposing posture on the Athirapally project,while reminding him that any unilateral stand after dumping the unanimous resolution adopted by the Kerala Assembly on the Mullaperiyar will not be a correct step.
"The statements of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the Mullaperiyar issue is against the collective stand of Kerala. A change in the stand cannot be approved," he said here today, in his first 'Meet the Press' programme, after being elected as the Congress Legislature party (CLP) leader.
In the case of Athirapally Hydel project, considering the divergent views in both the LDF and UDF, wide-ranging discussions have to be held so as to arrive at a consensus, Ramesh said. "The opinion of all political parties and environment organisations have to be elicited before taking a final decision," he said.
Ramesh, who said that time has not come to assess the Pinarayi government, however, expressed wonder over notes of discord emanating from the LDF during the honeymoon period itself, referring to the conflicting stand of CPI with that of the CM on Athirapally project.
"On Mullaperiyar, the State Assembly had passed unanimous resolutions urging for a new dam, while underscoring the theme of Water for Tamil Nadu and security for Kerala. The demand for a new dam was put across to address the fears of people living in five districts downstream of the existing old dam in Kerala territory. Congress and UDF cannot agree to anything which goes against the interests of the people," Ramesh stressed.
Pinarayi Vijayan has come up with the idea of holding dialogues for a solution on the vexed Mullaperiyar issue,while also dusting out the long pending proposal for Athirapally project, mooted by him while he was power minister two decades ago.
He said that the Congress led Opposition would follow an uncompromising stand against the shortcomings and wrongs of the LDF government. "Priority of the Opposition will be to take up people's issues and perform in a constructive manner. Coming are the days of struggles and challenges," the opposition leader-elect maintained.