Centre accepting proposal on NLC due to Jaya's efforts: BJP

Welcoming the Centre's decision to sell its stake in Neyveli Lignite Corporation to the Tamil Nadu government, BJP said today the deal had come through due to the persistent efforts of the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

'BJP is happy over the Centre's decision to sell NLC stakes to Tamil Nadu government. It is due to the persistent efforts of the Chief Minister that this deal could come through,' BJP state president Pon Radhakrishnan said.

The Centre and market regulator Sebi had yesterday accepted the Jayalalithaa government's proposal to buy disinvested shares of NLC bringing the curtains down on the month-long stand-off over the issue.

On the Cauvery Supervisory meet at Delhi yesterday, where both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu sparred over the latter's share of Cauvery water, he said the Prime Minister should personally intervene to solve the issue.

Tamil Nadu had sought an assurance from Karnataka and the Committee that its share of water for July be provided. But Karnataka refused to give any assurance saying it has already released 34 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet of water to Tamil Nadu within the first 13 days of this month.

Karnataka is learnt to have said it would try to release Tamil Nadu's remaining share of 10 TMC at the earliest.

Radhakrishnan said Karnataka's stand was an attempt to cheat the farmers of Tamil Nadu.

On recent protests by Indian National League activists in front of the BJP office here, he said the Chief Minister should take steps to ensure that such protests were not held in front of offices of any political party.