CM Palaniswami, Deputy CM Panneerselvam join AIADMK hunger strike over Cauvery issue

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday launched the ruling AIADMK's hunger strike in demand of setting up of the Cauvery management board.

Both the leaders joining the hunger strike comes as a surprise as they were not on the list of those participating in the strike. Reports suggest that their participation is in the wake of the opposition parties stepping up protests across the state.

Even police officials were taken by surprise with the chief minister and the deputy chief minister arriving at the venue. Traffic was disrupted on the Wallajah Road due to the hunger strike at Chepauk.

Several ministers and senior leaders including D Jayakumar, Party presidium chairman E Madhusudanan arrived at the district headquarters taking part in the protests.

AIADMK is demanding the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to set up the Cauvery management board and the Cauvery water regulation committee immediately thus establishing the rights of Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery water and further safeguard the interests of the state.