Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambithurai has accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of purposely blowing the Rafale jet deal out of proportion mainly to ensure that the AIADMK MPs are not allowed to talk in Parliament about the contentious Mekedatu Dam row.

AIADMK MPs have been making a huge hue and cry in Parliament ever since the winter session of Parliament commenced. Speaking in the Lower House yesterday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi levelled many charges against the BJP-led Centre on the Rafale deal. His speech was interspersed by AIADMK MPs’ frequent intervention to which Rahul responded saying that it was rather unfortunate that the AIADMK MPs were supporting the Prime Minister within the Parliament premises though they are criticizing him outside Parliament.

Speaking to newsmen in New Delhi yesterday, Thambithurai denied Rahul Gandhi’s allegations that his party was directly/indirectly supporting the Prime Minister. “Our party MPs have been protesting in a democratic and peaceful manner to urge the Centre to restrain the Govt. of Karnataka from going ahead with the construction of the dam at Mekedatu across Cauvery as it would affect livelihood of millions of farmers residing in the Delta Districts of Tamil Nadu.

“We request that the approval accorded by the Central Water Commission to the State of Karnataka to conduct a feasible study (for constructing the Dam) be withdrawn immediately,” he said. He also accused the Congress and the BJP of ‘conniving together’ on the issue. “Rahul speaking only about Rafale deal and not touching Mekedatu row is proof enough of this,” Thambithurai concluded.