Mullaperiyar dam row will be settled amicably, says Khurshid

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Union law and minority affairs minister, Salman Khurshid, on Monday said an amicable settlement to the Mullaperiyar row would be found soon to the satisfaction of both Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Khurshid, who arrived here earlier in the day on a two day visit, was speaking to mediapersons.

Talking about the much-anticipated Lokpal Bill, the union minister said that the select committee report on the bill would be taken up during the next session of Parliament.

It was in the last month that the bill, on which debate had remained inconclusive in the Rajya Sabha during the last winter session, was referred to the select committee.

“The Congress has no hesitation on the Lokpal Bill. However, it can’t be at the cost of institutions given by our founding fathers. The executive must be allowed to function without fear or favour,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on Anna Hazare’s movement, Khurshid said, “Hazare is in deep trouble. Anna and his team have conflicting objectives. Though Anna and his team have come up with a good idea of containing corruption in the country, they are now trying to settle personal scores.”

Regarding the presidential elections, Khurshid said the party was confident of getting enough numbers and party president Sonia Gandhi was in talks with the allies.

“There are lots of speculative reports appearing in the media. But in a matter of time, we’ll be able to know who our president is. The opposition of the Left parties won’t affect us,” said the minister. It can be recalled that the Congress working committee has authorised Sonia Gandhi to pick the party’s candidate for the presidential elections, early this month.