TVK-led government failed to secure Cauvery water for kuruvai cultivation: Edappadi Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (June 18, 2026) alleged that the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government had failed to take adequate steps
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday (June 18, 2026) alleged that the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government had failed to take adequate steps to secure Cauvery water for kuruvai cultivation in the Delta districts, causing hardship to farmers and depriving agricultural labourers of employment opportunities. Speaking to reporters after the Governor’s address in the Assembly, Mr. Palaniswami said the Mettur Dam could not be opened on June 12 as the storage level was inadequate. “The TVK government has Congress members in the Cabinet. It could have used their support to hold talks with the Karnataka Chief Minister and secure the water due to Tamil Nadu as per the monthly schedule,” he said. Palaniswami said although the government had announced 436 schemes across various departments at a Cabinet meeting, they did not find mention in the Governor’s address. Law-and-order issues He alleged despite Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay making tall promises on curbing drug abuse, ensuring the safety of women and maintaining law and order, the increasing number of crimes in the State was shocking. “The government has failed to take adequate steps to maintain law and order. Though a Special Drug Prevention Force has been constituted, drug trafficking and sales have increased compared to the past,” he said. The former Chief Minister claimed in the 38 days since the government assumed office, 150 cases had been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“A total of 126 cases relating to sexual offences against women have also been registered. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the Singapen Force, which was constituted to protect women, now needs another force to protect itself. It is laughable,” he quipped. Palaniswami further said several key promises made by the TVK during the election campaign had not found a place in the Governor’s address. These included increasing financial assistance for women to ₹2,500 per month, providing six free LPG cylinders annually, raising the old-age pension to ₹3,000, introducing the Anna Seer scheme providing one sovereign of gold to women at the time of marriage, gifting a gold ring to every child born in a government hospital, and providing ₹4,000 as unemployment assistance. “The TVK made glittering promises to secure votes and capture power. There are also unannounced power cuts across the State, particularly during the night. People are unable to sleep,” he said. On White Paper Palaniswami alleged the White Paper on fiscal situation released by the government merely reproduced figures contained in the interim Budget presented by the previous DMK government. “The White Paper is an admission that the government will not be able to implement its welfare promises. The Chief Minister promised change, but what the people have got is disappointment,” he said.
The BriefWire