Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday urged chief minister C Joseph Vijay to implement the proposed ‘Nadanthai Vazhi Cauvery’ project, saying it would benefit farmers and improve drinking water supply to several districts in the state.“The CM should focus on implementing the river project instead of “horse-trading of MLAs to safeguard his govt through political manoeuvring,’ he said.Palaniswami blamed the previous DMK govt for shelving AIADMK govt’s flagship `Nadanthai Vazhi’ project despite the state securing environmental clearance and the Union govt’s approval.According to him, the Centre had sanctioned ₹935 crore as the first instalment under the 60:40 Centre-state funding pattern, but DMK govt failed to pursue the project. He urged TVK govt, which came to power promising “change” (mattram), to take up the project with the support of the Union govt and ensure its early implementation for the benefit of farmers and the public. Meanwhile, Palaniswami removed 11 supporters of former minister C Ve Shanmugam over ‘anti-party activities’.
