Villagers in Dharmapuri district threaten to boycott Tamil Nadu assembly election

DHARMAPURI: Farmers and residents of villages under the Morappur panchayat union in Dharmapuri district have threatened to boycott the upcoming assembly election alleging that the Tamil Nadu govt had failed to implement the Echambadi dam project. They held a candlelight protest near Annamalaipatty bus stand on Tuesday night, as part of the boycott call. People from nearby villages, including Chinnakaundampatty and Elavadai, participated in the protest. More than 60 villages, including Kambainallur, Navalai, Polaiampalli, Morappur and Kadathur, are facing severe groundwater depletion. “As a result, water bodies have dried up, leaving crops on the verge of withering and forcing farmers to purchase water for cultivation,” said M K Govindarajan, a local.Farmers alleged that the project, estimated at Rs 400 crore, announced during the final phase of the AIADMK regime, was shelved after the DMK came to power, and cited administrative delays.“We won’t vote for any party until they implement the Echampadi dam project. Our decision to boycott the election will not change until a government order is issued and work begins,” said Prabhakaran of the Groundwater Development Farmers’ Association.