DMK and its friendly parties have decided against participating in an all-party meeting convened by Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan on the Cauvery issue.
Haasan had announced that on May 19, veteran CPI leader and freedom fighter R Nallakannu would chair an all-party meeting called by farmers' associations in Chennai to chalk out the future course of action to retain the rights of the state over the Cauvery waters. On May 14, he personally called on DMK working president MK Stalin, inviting him to the meeting and also invited leaders of various other political parties over the phone. At the time, Stalin had said he would confirm his presence on May 16.
However, speaking to reporters, Stalin said that he had spoken to leaders of eight like-minded parties over the phone and they had decided to not participate in the meeting. He did not give any specific reason for the decision. DMK has been working closely with eight parties including Congress, MDMK, CPI (M), CPI and IUML on various issues.
Stalin, after his meeting with the actor on Monday, said that his party was of the view that all people in Tamil Nadu should stand united to get the state's due share in the Cauvery waters.
Haasan has already been snubbed by the CPI, which refuted his claim that Nallakannu would chair Saturday's meet.
