Opposition calls April 5 Tamil Nadu bandh over Cauvery

CHENNAI: Accusing the BJP-led Centre of being guided by parochial political gains in Karnataka as it failed to meet the Supreme Court mandated deadline for setting up the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC), opposition parties in Tamil Nadu have called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh in the State on April 5.

A resolution in this regard was unanimously adopted at an all-party meeting presided by Leader of Opposition M K Stalin on Sunday at Anna Arivalayam. The ruling AIADMK and BJP stayed away.
The parties also decided to wave black flags at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Chennai for a defence expo at Thiruvidanthai in Kancheepuram district.

They also called upon other political parties, farmers’ bodies, trade unions, students and traders to support the stir.

Stalin also courted arrest on Sunday. Opposition leaders are planning a march from the Delta region to Raj Bhavan.

In a related development, top state government officials called on Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Sunday to brief him on the law and order situation. Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan, Home Secretary Niranjan Mardi and Advocate-General Vijay Narayanan visited Raj Bhavan, sources said. Entry to Marina was restricted.

AIADMK spin on no-trust motion
Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai on Sunday claimed the AIADMK was ready to suspend its agitation in Parliament and move a no-trust motion against the NDA government on the Cauvery issue if the Congress does likewise