Thiruvananthapuram, Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on Monday staged a walkout from Kerala Assembly in protest against denial of an adjournment motion over the failure of the Left Government in the management of 126-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.
Seeking the leave of the House to move the the adjournment on the issue, Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said the Left Government failed to protect the interest of Kerala in the Supreme Court. Kerala's Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine was speaking like a Tamil Nadu Minister and he agreed with the Tamil Nadu's demand to raise the water level at 139.5 feet, he added The Left Government also failed to present its demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar in the Supreme Court, he said.
In his reply, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the issues on Mullaperiyar dam will be resolved through discussions between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Blaming the Opposition for creating panic among people on Mullaperiyar, he warned stern action against those creating rumours that the dam is going to burst.
Reiterating the Government stand to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar, he said a new dam is necessary for the safety of the people living in the downstream of the dam. Following the Chief Minister's reply, Speaker MB Rajesh denied permission to move the adjournment motion leading to the protest and walkout by the Opposition members.
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