The proximate cause of the controversy is Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement on the Athirappilly power project. While Vijayan and Power Minister Kadakampalli Surendran favoured the project, the CPI has opposed it on the ground that it will have an adverse effect on environment. It may be mentioned that the LDF’s declared policy is development without harming environment.

CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said ministers should refrain from making statements on crucial policy matters without discussing them with the LDF partners, adding that there should be restrictions on ministers making unilateral statements as well.CPI MLA ES Bijimol has also supported Kanam’s stand on the issue. Besides, the CPI’s mouthpiece “Janayugam” carried an article cautioning the Government against granting sanction to projects detrimental to the interests of environment. If Athirappilly project is cleared, it would inundate several hectares of forest area. Besides, the vast ecological wealth of Athirappilly, which is rich in biodiversity, would be in grave peril.

The controversy saw eminent poetess and environment activist Sugathakumari coming out strongly against the construction of a dam at Athirappilly. The Government should focus on making power from other sources of energy instead of destroying precious ecological wealth. Failure to do so would lead to disastrous results, causing severe water shortage and other consequences, she warned. Water and fresh air are more important than electricity, she reminded the government.

Other experts have contested the Chief Minister’s claim that the dam would not in any way affect the famous waterfalls at Athirappilly, known as ‘Kerala’s Nayagra’. They are of the view that sanction to the power project would cause inundation of more than 134 hectares of forest, including 22 hectares which house rich flora and fauna. They said the state should explore alternative options to meet its energy needs.

Similarly, the Chief Minister’s stand against the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar has also drawn all-round flak. Pinarayi’s unilateral statement without even discussing it in the Cabinet, will go against the interests of the state, opined Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, V M Sudheeran and vice-president V D Satheeshan. The CPI(M) had faced the elections favouring a new dam. The sudden volte-face, within five days of assuming power, will weaken the state’s case before the Supreme Court, they claimed, adding that it was also against a resolution passed by the State Assembly.

In retrospect, it would seem that the Chief Minister has landed himself in trouble by making a hasty statement on the sensitive issue. It was all right to say that the differences with Tamil Nadu on the issue should be resolved through a dialogue. He should have left it at that. Failure to do so and say that the existing dam is safe will only vindicate TN’s stand that there is no need for a new dam. The very fact that the 130-year-old dam has undergone periodic repairs proves that the dam is not safe, aver KC(M) leader and former water resources minister, P J Joseph.

The Pinarayi remark has, unwittingly, given the Congress-led opposition, still reeling under the impact of a crippling electoral defeat, a powerful issue to bounce back.

The new Government would do well to discuss the two issues in the LDF and evolve a consensus. An all-party meeting can also be convened to discuss the issues before taking a final decision.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) veteran V.S. Achuthanandan has hit the nail on the head with a statement that nothing that goes against the interests of the people would be done by the LDF Government. The Vijayan Government, which is set to appoint VS an advisor with Cabinet rank would do well to heed his sage advice. (IPA Service)