Chennai sources have reported that Tamilnadu Minister Sellur K Raju has courted controversy by saying that government welfare measures would be given only to AIADMK card holders, even as Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said that such schemes were meant for all. Meanwhile Raju made the statement at an event in Madurai to enroll new members and to renew membership of those who had completed five years.
Accordingly on the vexed Cauvery river water issue, Raju said that the chief minister was taking appropriate steps to secure the state's share of water from Karnataka. Meanwhile when referring to the local body polls, he said AIADMK is always ready to face any elections.
However, Panneerselvam said that all
government welfare measures are aimed at benefiting the ordinary and poor
people and all sections of society, irrespective of party affiliations. Further
he said Karnataka has declined water to Tamilnadu and that steps were being
taken to initiate legal measures to secure water for the state. He added
"We have a right to seek water for our standing crops".
