Chennai: South Indian Film Artistes Association president Vijaykant, cut short his
private visit abroad and arrived on October 9 morning to participate in the film
industry's protest rally at Neyveli on October 12, demanding power supply from NLC
to Karnataka be stopped till Cauvery waters were released to Tamil Nadu by that
state.
He told reporters at the airport that superstar of Tamil film industry, Rajnikant
had telephonically informed him that he would not be participating at the rally, but
had assured that he would back any agitation organised by the association.
Vijaykant said the rally at Neyveli was justified, as it would enable the farmers
from the five Cauvery delta districts to participate in it. "It is nearer to the
delta area," he said.
Rajnikant, who had stated that he would not participate in any agitation, which
demanded blood, also returned by air on October 8 night from Rishikesh, where he had
to visit some temples along with his family.
Rajnikant, at a recent SIFAA meeting wanted the rally to be conducted here for
security reasons, had earlier described the rally as "unnecessary". He had also said
he would be meeting the Prime Minister A B Vajpayee to prevail upon him to bring an
early solution to Cauvery water dispute.
PTI
