Idukki : Opposition leader VD Satheesan criticized the Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments for not taking the Mullaperiyar dam issue seriously. VD Satheesan criticized the government while speaking at the venue where Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose is on a hunger strike demanding a faster response on the Mullaperiyar issue and building of a new dam.

Trees are being chopped from Mullaperiyar to aid in the strengthening of the Baby Dam. Tamil Nadu then plans to raise the water level to 152 feet.

VS Achuthanandan remarked that people in five districts are at risk of being swept away to the Arabian Sea if the dam collapsed. Pinarayi Vijayan, who had said then that the dam should be de-commissioned, has now changed his opinion.

Kerala's defense weakened the time it issued permits to cut trees from Mullaperiyar. The government is at the peak of neglect. Even the minister is not aware of the decisions taken by the oversight committee remarked the opposition leader. The Chief Minister issued the order to cut down trees by keeping other ministers in the dark. Documents unseen by two ministers are in the hands of the opposition. Ministers who have not even seen such crucial documents should not continue in their positions. He also said that the Opposition would urge the Chief Minister to speak up.

Tamil Nadu violated the condition that the shutters should not be opened at night, to which the government did not react. Since there is no one to question the violations, Tamil Nadu feels free to open the shutters of the dam at any time. VD Satheesan also opined that MM Mani and others are deceiving the people of Idukki.