Chennai, Oct 29 (IANS) Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK, a constituent of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), has cancelled its Nov 1 public rally in Madurai to condemn the Kerala government for wanting to build a dam on the Mullaiperiyar river.
The DMK, which is upset with union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh for giving Kerala the green signal to conduct a survey for a new dam across the Mullaiperiyar river, has cited the ongoing case between Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the central government’s involvement as the reason for cancelling the meeting.

Tamil Nadu is opposed to any moves to build a new dam on the river as it believes its water supply will be affected.

The Mullaiperiyar dam is on the headwaters of the Periyar river in Kerala. According to a 999-year lease agreement signed during the British rule, it is operated by Tamil Nadu.

Citing safety concerns, Kerala has been demanding the construction of a new dam, which Tamil Nadu has vehemently opposed.

The DMK had announced the Nov 1 rally only after the Supreme Court declined to retain Kerala’s survey for the new dam.

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu had moved the apex court only after the Leader of Opposition and AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa had come down heavily on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for inaction on the matter.

Though DMK’s first announcement on the Madurai rally categorically said the purpose is to condemn the union minister for the manner in which he dealt with the Mullaiperiyar dam issue, it was later watered down as a protest against Kerala.