Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addresses the press in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, June 9, 2016. (Press Trust of India photo)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today rejected the opposition Congress-led UDF's demand to convene an all-party meeting on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, saying there is no new development over the matter.
He also said there is no change in Kerala's stand that a new dam was the need of the hour. But that cannot be achieved without the support from Tamil Nadu and the Centre's consent.
"There is no need to call an all-party meeting on the Mullaperiyar issue. There is no fresh issue in this regard. If there is any fresh problem, only then there is need to call such a meeting," Mr Vijayan told reporters at a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Press Club in Thiruvananthapuram.
The UDF had sought an all-party meeting to discuss the Mullaperiyar issue in view of the 'confusion' over chief minister's remarks over the safety of the dam during his recent New Delhi visit.
"There is no change in Kerala's demand for a new dam. But we cannot construct it all alone. The support of Tamil Nadu and consent of the Centre is essential for this. The hurdle lies there," Mr Vijayan said when asked about his stand over Mullaperiyar dam, which is a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
While Tamil Nadu believed that the dam was strong, Kerala's argument was that the century-old dam was in a dilapidated state and weak, he said.
"Both Tamil Nadu and the Supreme Court have not agreed to our argument. That is why we want an internationally acclaimed panel of experts to study the dam's strength," he said.
The neighbouring state's support was essential to resolve the matter, he said.
"It cannot be attained through confrontation. We are not for that. The dispute should be settled through discussions," he added.
The chief minister also said he discussed the matter with the members of Mullaperiyar Protection Council, a forum which was for a new dam considering the safety of the local people, and they had no objection to his views.