Cauvery issue: Tamil outfit warns of protests against IPL matches
What's the story
Opposition to IPL matches to be held in Chennai intensified today with a pro-Tamil outfit agitating over Cauvery issue threatened to hold protests outside the game venue tomorrow.
A host of cinema personalities also wanted the matches to be postponed but an official of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) said the matches will go on as per schedule.
Here are more details.
Demand
Tamil Nadu wants formation of Cauvery Management Board
Tamil Nadu has been witnessing protests for the past one week urging the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) in compliance with the February 16 order of Supreme Court on the water sharing dispute with Karnataka.
Political parties and outfits have demanded that IPL matches not be held at a time when the state was witnessing widespread agitations on the vexed issue.
IPL Match
CSK and KKR will play tomorrow in Chennai
Pro-Tamil outfit Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) today warned of picketing the MA Chidambaram stadium here tomorrow if the IPL stuck to its Chennai calendar, with the city all set to witness its first contest on Tuesday.
MS Dhoni-led CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Dinesh Karthik, will lock horns in the first game here tomorrow at 8 pm.
Agitation
We will organize a massive protest if match happens tomorrow
"If the match is held despite our plea, we will coordinate all democratic forces to stop it by organizing a massive picketing protest. Many leaders, organizations will participate," TVK chief T Velmurugan said.
"Cricketers knowing Tamil, please understand our sentiments," he said.
Later, Velmurugan told that his party or outfits that have joined hands with it were not against the players.
Information
Protest will be organized tomorrow in Cuddalore district
A massive protest has been planned outside Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) in Cuddalore district tomorrow against Centre on the issue. Demands include suspension of electricity supply to Karnataka from power station till TN gets its due share of Cauvery water.
Postponement
Film directors, actors also call for IPL match postponement
Meanwhile, a group of prominent cinema actors and directors launched a forum to back Tamils' cause in the state and called for IPL 'postponement' in the state.
Veteran film director Bharathiraja said, "TN is boiling... we are not saying there is no need for IPL... Please postpone (the matches). IPL will divert the awakening among the youth over the Cauvery issue."
No postponement
Match will go as per schedule: CSK CEO
However, CSK CEO KS Viswanathan said the team's home matches will go on as per schedule.
The city police has been informed about the schedule and will handle the situation accordingly, he added.
Meanwhile, security has been stepped up for the players, even as more personnel have been deployed outside the cricket stadium and the hotel where they are put up.
Formation of CMB
Rajinikanth demands formation of CMB board immediately
Yesterday, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had said the Centre might face the wrath of entire Tamil Nadu if Cauvery Management Board (CMB) was not set up immediately.
He had also expressed reservations over conduct of IPL matches in the city at this juncture, saying such a gala event would be an embarrassment when the state was agitating over the Cauvery issue.
Share of water
SC raised the 270tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka
On February 16, SC raised the 270tmcft share of Cauvery water for Karnataka by 14.75tmcft and reduced Tamil Nadu's share while compensating it by allowing extraction of 10tmcft groundwater from the river basin.
Court had granted six week time to Centre to formulate a scheme to ensure compliance with its 465-page judgment on the decades-old Cauvery dispute, which modified the CWDT award of 2007.