“I do not foresee any threat to the Hogenakkal project. It is a scheme that ought to be implemented by Tamil Nadu government,” Mr Ganesan said on Sunday and added, that Mr Yeddyuruppa was a “staunch nationalist who believes that India is one nation from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. I am sure he would help resolve the issue amicably.” Mr Ganesan was reacting to a query on the prospects of implementing the Hogenakkal project in Dharmapuri owing to stiff opposition from Karnataka.
Karnataka BJP had been belligerently opposing the project.
In March Mr Yeddyuruppa visit ed the site bordering Karnataka and asked the TN government to stop it. The state government put the project on hold but hardly two days before counting commenced in Karnataka, chief minister M. Karunanidhi asked offi cials to complete the Rs 1,334crore project as scheduled.
Expressing that the state government should go ahead with the project, Mr Ganesan remarked, “Let Mr Yeddyuruppa first assume charge as chief min ister. The issue could be explained to him and he would surely act favourably.” On his party’s behalf, the senior leader pledged ‘full support for the project’.
He told reporters at Kamalalayam, party headquarters here, that the rout of Congress in Karnataka Assembly elections showed that people have rejected the Congress. Elated over his party’s victory in Karnataka, he said the poll verdict was a victory to the party’s policies and achievements of the government led by former prime minister A.B.Vajpayee and Mr Yeddyuruppa’s short but good rule.
Meanwhile, party members were on cloud nine over the victory and possibility of forming the first-ever saffron government in South India on May 28.
Sweets were distributed and crackers burst.
State general secretary Dr Tamilisai Soundarajan and other leaders participated.