Chennai, March 17 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday criticised the Karnataka unit of the party for demanding the scrapping of a drinking water project on a Cauvery river island. “Our party cannot function like an irresponsible regional outfit to suit temporary electoral needs. Probably our Karnataka unit has been misled into making this statement,” BJP leader Ila Ganeshan told reporters here.

“BJP fully supports the drinking water project of the Tamil Nadu government and underlines the centre’s contribution towards its fructification,” Ganeshan added.

Former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa of the BJP visited Dharmapuri district Sunday and demanded the scrapping of the project launched by the Tamil Nadu government.

He said: “It violated the rights of the people of Karnataka.”

A Japanese bank funds the project.

The former chief minister’s presence had led to tension and a huge police presence in the region.