Taking a dig at former Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK leader K. Karunanidhi for his statement that the army should take over dams in Karnataka and release Cauvery water to his state, Janata Dal (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda said on Thursday that such statements were against the interests of the federal system.
Speaking at a function organized by his party to mark the birth anniversary of Jayaprakash Narayan here, Mr Gowda said, “Mr Karunanidhi is a senior leader and should think before speaking like this. We are in a situation where we need to seek permission of others for utilising water even for drinking. Just because Karnataka is maintaining silence and respecting directions of the court, it should not be construed as weakness.”
Holding coalition governments in New Delhi responsible for regional parties gaining undue power, Mr Gowda said national parties were encouraging regional outfits merely to remain in power. “The regional parties play a major role in formation or fall of any government at the Centre. Such parties take undue advantage of their position and resort to politics in issues like sharing water. This does not augur well for the federal system,’’ he added.
On the introduction of FDI in retail sector, Mr Gowda said he had opposed the move from the beginning. “Corruption is the root cause for the present economic crisis. To cover up flaws of the of the government and show to the world that the economy is healthy, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has decided to allow FDI in retail sector. This will prove detrimental to local traders,’’ he added.