AIADMK to protest against UPA government

Chennai, Jan 19 (IANS) The AIADMK said Saturday it would protest against the central government putting up hurdles in the development of Tamil Nadu.

AIADMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced a state-wide demonstration by the party's labour wing against the central government.

In a statement issued here, Jayalalithaa said the party's labour wing will demonstrate against the UPA government at the centre for resolving the Cauvery water dispute and for repeatedly hiking the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG and other items.

Jayalalithaa urged people to participate in the demonstration outside central government offices in all district headquarters in the state.

Jayalalithaa accused the central government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of not notifying the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal for political reasons despite the Supreme Court directing the government to state its decision by Jan 31.

She said the central government has not responded to Tamil Nadu's demand for electricity from the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) and other central power stations in the state and power surrendered by the Delhi government.

Jayalalithaa also said the central government had not shown any interest in supplying kerosene to the state, providing additional financial assistance and issuing licences to the state government's cable television company.