LDF leaves decision to Idukki district panel

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF took a step backward on the Mullaperiyar issue on Friday  and left the matter to the Idukki district committee to decide wether to continue or suspend the agitation. However, in view of the undertaking given to the Prime Minister at the all-party meeting in New Delhi, the LDF will not go for an intensified agitation.Though the all-party delegation from the state which met Prime Minister r Manmohan Singh a few days ago had heeded to the PM’s suggestion to create a congenial atmosphere for initiating talks with Tamil Nadu by suspending the stir for a certain period, an emergency meeting of the LDF state committee here noted that a movement had emerged in Idukki and nearby areas over Mullaperiyar and hence, a final decision on stir should be taken only at the local level. The state committee has neither approved nor opposed the decision to call off the stir fully, leaving the ball in the court of the district committee.Though the Kerala Congress and the Congress had suspended the agitation programmes for one month, Perumbavoor MLA Saju Paul of the CPM is continuing the fast at Vandiperiyar. The Mullaperiyar Samarakshana Samithi volunteers are also continuing their nearly five-year-old stir at Chappath.The move of the LDF is seemingly to strike a balance and carry forward the campaign for a new dam. As per indications, the LDF will continue a low-key stir and campaign at least in the Idukki belt. ‘’Naturally, the agitation will have to be taken forward,’’ said M M Mani, Idukki district secretary of the CPM.