The CPI state deputy secretary, C. Mahendran, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for expressing his views in favour of execution of the controversial Coal Bed Methane Project in the Delta region.

Talking to media persons here today Mahendran said while both the Central and the State Governments have assured that the local-bed methane extraction project would not be executed following the stiff opposition from the Delta farmers, the Minister who was in Chennai recently, has stated that the Centre would proceed on the coal-bed methane extraction project after consulting the State government and taking the local community into confidence. “The Minister’s remarks are highly condemnable,” he added.

Questioning whether the Minister was an agent of the private firm, Mahendran urged Prime Minister to relieve Pradhan of his portfolio for his remarks.

The CPI leader also appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to initiate steps to get Cauvery water due for the State for Samba cultivation in the Delta region.

The CPI would organised a nation-wide agitation on August 17 protesting the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities and press a charter of demands including withdrawal of 100 per cent FDI in defence and retail sectors.

“As part of the protest, a rail roko will also be held in Thanjavur,” he added.