PC bomb on Mullaperiyar dam

CHENNAI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has stirred up a hornets’ nest on the Mullaperiyar dam issue by stating that the Kerala Government’s apprehension over the dam safety  was born of  ‘bypoll fear.’ “It is an unnecessary fear. It is not even a temporary or a permanent fear. It is only a bypoll fear,” he said apparently referring to the upcoming Assembly byelection to the Piravom constituency.His statement drew sharp reactions from political leaders in Kerala, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who said these kinds of remarks were not expected  from a senior Congress minister like Chidambaram.Water Resources Minister P J Joseph, Finance Minister K M Mani, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala, Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan and Union Minister K V Thomas were among those who slammed his statement.Chidambaram told mediapersons in Chennai that the Kerala politicians were adding fuel to the fire due to the ensuing byelection.“It will be allayed soon after the apex court passes its orders based on the report of the three judges  and other reports submitted in the case so far. The verdict is expected either in February or March which I hope will be in favour of Tamil Nadu,” he said.The reservoir was built only to irrigate the dry lands in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu which solely depend on it, he said and added that the entire water resource of the dam is to be enjoyed by Tamil Nadu. “If that dam is really dilapidated, won’t we (Tamils) enjoying the water be worried,’’ he asked.Terming the dispute as ‘not simple,’ Chidambaram said it was the duty of the Centre to allay the fears of Keralites and added that the Centre will take adequate measures for the same.“It is also the duty of the Centre to protect all the dams in the country, including Mullaperiyar reservoir, and the Centre will perform its duty in this regard too,’’ he observed.“India is a federal state; several lakhs of Tamils live in Kerala and vice versa.“Tamils are known for treating people with dignity and that tradition should continue,’’ he said.