Udhayanidhi Attacks TVK Government Over Mettur Water Release, Demands Drought Relief and Full Crop-Loan Waiver

Leader of the Opposition and DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday, September 21, hit out at Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over the water situation in the Cauvery Delta, accusing the ruling TVK government of putting publicity ahead of the interests of farmers.

In a statement, Udhayanidhi questioned the government's decision to release water from the Mettur dam on September 1, and alleged that water had not been released during June, July and August, crippling kuruvai cultivation across the Delta region.

He also criticised the Chief Minister's remarks on the kuruvai special package and drought relief, alleging that the government had failed to address the concerns of farmers seeking a complete waiver of crop loans.

Udhayanidhi said the TVK had promised before the election that loans of farmers holding up to five acres would be waived, but that after coming to power the government had spoken of waiving loans up to Rs 50,000, later Rs 75,000, and that in practice only loans up to Rs 35,000 were being waived.

He demanded immediate drought relief and a complete waiver of crop loans, urging the government not to compromise the interests of farmers for the sake of publicity.