Chennai, April 8 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Leader of Opposition J. Jayalalitha Tuesday traded charges over the state government’s decision last week to suspend the Rs.13.34-billion Hogenekkal Water Supply Project. AIADMK general secretary Jayalalitha led her party’s legislators out of the state assembly when Speaker Auvudaiyappan did not permit her to move an adjournment motion before the completion of question hour.

Addressing journalists outside the house, Jayalalitha accused Karunanidhi of betraying Tamil Nadu’s interests for political expediencies and demanded his resignation.

“The minority DMK regime hastily compromised on the Hogenekkal project, betraying the people of Tamil Nadu. What is worse, the opposition is being denied its rights to something basic as moving an adjournment motion in the assembly in contradiction of parliamentary traditions. On all these counts, Karunanidhi has lost his moral right to continue as chief minister and must resign,” Jayalalitha said.

In reply, Karunanidhi said: “Making unreasonable demands in violation of the house rules has become (Jayalalitha’s) habit. In all probability, she had more pressing engagements outside the house and beyond Chennai itself.”

The chief minister Saturday put the Hogenekkal Drinking Water Supply Project on hold following frenzied protests in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the neighbouring state which has alleged the scheme violates an interstate water sharing agreement.