A project hangs in balance

 

 

Though Left parties, MDMK and PMK have all come together on a single platform in Tamil Nadu by aligning with AIADMK, the unity between them is more fragile than it appears.

Even before general elections are over, one of the cracks in this phalanx is already showing up: their joint approach to the controversial Sethusamudram project. The 2,427 crore project envisages a 167 km navigable channel to link India’s west and eastern coast. It saves 36 hours of sailing time by not circumnavigating Sri Lanka. The only hitch: construction of this channel in its current form entails blasting the mythical Ram Bridge, which finds mention in Ramayana, believed to have been used by Lord Rama’s all conquering army to reach Sri Lanka. The BJP, among others, has raised objections over 'hurting Hindu sentiments.’

Mired in this politico-religious controversy, the project was stalled when 33 per cent of it was complete. AIADMK chief and former chief minister, Jayalalitha, once an ardent supporter of this project, has opposed it citing religious and environmental reasons. Left, PMK and MDMK, then allies of DMK-Congress, were vocal supporters of this project. Recently, when alliance partners came together at a public meeting headed by Jayalalitha to introduce their candidates, they preferred to keep their silence on Sethusamudram. At the meeting a copy of the AIADMK manifesto was presented to CPM General secretary. Typed in bold letters was her categorical announcement: AIADMK will scrap Sethusamudram.

The AIADMK manifesto says the project will render millions of fishermen jobless. In addition, the Ram Bridge would be destroyed, both ideas unacceptable. Virtually, the only beneficiaries would be Union Shipping Minister, TR Baalu and Chief Minister, K Karunanidhi. How has the Left taken it? Says AM Gopu, central committee member of the CPI, choosing his words carefully: ''It is the opinion of AIADMK. We have a different opinion about this. Right now our goal is to make a non-BJP, non-Congress government. If voted to power we will decide on a policy of consensus.’’ The DMK, whose election manifesto presses for an early completion of the project, is already crying foul. Party organ 'Murasoli’ has ticked off its former alliance partners for keeping quiet on a project that had caught everyone’s imagination just a year ago. While more than Rs 600 crores have been already spent, the Centre has set up a committee of experts with TERI chief, RK Pachauri, as head to examine an alternative route without damaging the Ram Setu. The report is expected by this year end, a long time after a government is in place at the Centre.