THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the one-month moratorium given by political parties, at the instance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to stirs in Kerala on the Mullaperiyar dam issue ended on Sunday, the stage is set for a fresh bout of agitations even when it is certain that nothing tangible will occur till the Supreme Court decides on the report of the empowered high-power committee appointed by it.The Kerala Congress (M), which was on the forefront of agitations earlier, is the first one to jump into the fray to reinvent its strength and purpose, even as Left outfits have also decided to make calculated moves to keep the issue alive. Unlike earlier, the State Government is eager not to burn its fingers on the issue and is keen on following a watch-and-wait approach. The political affairs committee of the KC(M), which met on Sunday, decided to extend ‘moral support’ to the proposed hartal on January 18 in Idukki, announced by the Mullaperiyar Samara Samithi. The LDF district committee had also jumped into the bandwagon and announced support. The samara samithi had incidently not suspended its more than five-year-old stir at Chappath in Idukki district as others had done last month.“The high-power committee of the Kerala Congress will meet before January 30 and decide on the course of action on the Mullaperiyar issue. The political affairs committee chaired by Jose K Mani MP has given the message of supporting the hartal,’’ K Francis George, ex-MP, told Express.KC(M) supremo and Finance Minister K M Mani had fallen sick thereby delaying the convening of the high-power committee.‘’We have followed the request of the Prime Minister to create a conducive atmosphere for negotiations on the issue. But not much progress has been made in this direction,’’Francis George pointed out. Water Resources Minister P J Joseph, who was earlier instrumental in leading a high-voltage campaign on the Mullaperiyar issue, said that a solution should come immediately.“The matter should be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister once again. Kerala cannot wait any more,’’he said. “I had taken the initiative. The future course of action will be decided by the party,’’ the minister told Express. He also said the empowered committee is expected to submit its report after January 26. “It is hoped that the report will be favourable to Kerala. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has also affirmed that the court decision will be approved. In that case, it is easy for the two states to reach an agreement. We don’t want a confrontation,’’ Joseph maintained.The KC(M) is facing severe criticism from its cadre in Idukki and Kottayam districts that the party has lately been adopting a lax attitude after earlier putting up a brave front in highlighting the Mullaperiyar issue. However, despite the political moves of the Kerala Congress and the Left camp on the issue, it is becoming increasingly clear that the State Government is slow- pedalling on the issue and looking towards a favorable stance from the Supreme Court to the demand for constructing a new dam.“That Kerala’s stance is reasonable has gained wide acceptance at all levels. We are pinning our hopes on the court, since we’ve taken the stand that supply of Mullaperiyar water to Tamil Nadu will be ensured while not compromising on the safety of people in Kerala for which a new dam was necessary. Kerala will follow a prudent approach without falling prey to emotions,’’ Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told Express.
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