Thanjavur: In a major setback to the farmers’ associations that had called for bandh in the delta region on August 19 and 25, over the Cauvery issue, the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravai has refused to support the bandh, stating that the traders will only extend moral support.

Various farmers’ associations and farm workers’ unions, affiliated to the CPI and CPI(M), had called for a one-day bandh in the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Trichy, Pudukottai, and Cuddalore, of the Cauvery delta region on August 19, while the Federation of All Farmers’ Associations, headed by PR Pandian, had called for a state-wide bandh on August 25.

The Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangangalin Peravi president, T Vellaiyan, while addressing the media in Thanjavur today, said that the Peravai would support the bandh only if the two farmers’ associations held the bandh the same date. If they hold the bandh on two different days, the Peravai will only extend moral support and will not participate in the bandh, Vellaiyan said.

Vellaiyan however, urged the central government to take action against Karnataka for its atrocities in the Cauvery water issue and protect the nation’s sovereignty.