Cauvery delta farmers fear they have lost their most vocal and effective supporter in the conviction of the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in the disproportionate assets case by a special court in Bangalore.
Even her political foes credit her with contributing immensely to the Cauvery cause. Whatever be the outcome of her appeal, they feel the sting and stature of her voice will be missing in future.
“Nobody could forget or deny Ms. Jayalalithaa’s untiring efforts at securing the rights for Cauvery delta farmers in the politico-legal forums. She observed a fast, fought legal battles, applied political pressure and commanded huge respect in the political arena, and all that benefited the delta farmers immensely in getting their rights enshrined. With her conviction, all that would take a back seat,” says Mahadanapuram V. Rajaram, working president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association.
Even her political adversaries acknowledge her contribution to the Cauvery cause, especially in protecting the water-sharing rights of the farmers.
“Ms. Jayalalithaa had fought and won legal and political battles for Cauvery farmers against an intransigent Karnataka. Her contribution cannot be denied,” says G. Giridharan, Nagapattinam district secretary of the CPI(M)-affiliated Tamil Nadu Vivasyigal Sangam.
But he hastens to add that the parties must now come together and “raise their voice in unison to protect our rights.” “We should strive for a peaceful resolution of the issues,” he adds.
“It was during her first regime in 1991 that the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s interim award was gazetted. After protracted legal battles, the final award was gazetted in February 2013. That zealous attitude would be missing, and that is a great loss for delta farmers,” says Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Farmers Association general secretary Mannargudi S. Ranganathan.
“Ms. Jayalalithaa’s bold and dynamic initiatives paid off in the legal and political battles with Karnataka in securing justice for our farmers. The latest developments would definitely affect our prospects, especially during the lean season,” Mr. Ranganathan says.
She had once famously declined to consume even water at a meeting of Chief Ministers on the issue. That she has been jailed in Karnataka has not got lost in the minds of the farmers in the Cauvery delta.
