AIADMK alone can take credit for increasing storage level of Mullaperiyar reservoir, says Edappadi Palaniswami

AIADMK takes credit for increasing Mullaperiyar reservoir storage level, criticizes DMK government, promises to fight for Tamil Nadu's rights.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) alone can take credit for increasing the storage level of the Mullaperiyar reservoir to 142 feet by taking on the legal battle with Kerala government to the Supreme Court, said party general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami here on Sunday.

Speaking at the 77th birth anniversary of late leader Jayalalithaa in Periyakulam, Theni district, he said that it was ‘Amma’ (Jayalalithaa) who was instrumental in taking it up despite several hurdles. There were numerous pressures, but in the larger interest of the farmers and the five southern districts of Tamil Nadu, the then Chief Minister Ms Jayalalithaa fought it out tooth and nail.

The apex court, after hearing the case, delivered its verdict in favour of Tamil Nadu following which the storage level was enhanced to 142 ft from 136 ft, he said and blamed the present DMK government for doing nothing to improve the storage level to 152 ft.

If the AIADMK comes to power in 2026, the party would fight for the rights of Tamil Nadu and restore the lost sheen and glory, he promised and urged the public to vote out the ‘corrupt’ DMK and vote the AIADMK to a landslide victory.

During his 50-minute speech, Mr Palaniswami took a jibe at Mr Stalin and his government on several fronts. Though so many parties including the AIADMK had ruled the State for the last 73 years, the present DMK government had achieved in taking the maximum borrowings. The State was reeling under severe financial crunch. The government has achieved a milestone for wrong reasons and Mr Stalin may be presented with an award for making the people sink into the highest debt.

A top woman police officer in the rank of Additional Director General (ADGP) of Police had complained of insecurity and among other charges with her superior officer. “Is this not a shame for the DMK to continue in power,” he asked the public.

Not a day passed without reports on sexual assaults against women and girl children. “The State, which was once called a peace park... is no more so as there was no law and no order,” he charged. Newspapers and television channels reported on murders, rape, robbery et al. Recently, a DMK functionary had openly directed a District Collector and Superintendent of Police to act on his words, the former Chief Minister wanted to know what action was taken against the party functionary.