Bangalore, Apr 9: Congress leader M Veerappa Moily has said that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had solely decided to put the Hogenakkal project on hold.

Moily said, “Karunanidhi feels that there is no popular government in Karnataka to resolve the issue. It was Congress President Sonia Gandhi who requested him to defer the project.”

"It is clarified that the Congress President is interested in an amicable settlement of the dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and she is very much concerned about the environment of peace and cordiality between the people of both the States to prevail," Moily added.

"The gesture on the part of Karunanidhi is very much appreciated by the people of Karnataka, "he said.

Karunanidhi has already said that the decision was not based on any request made by the Congress and was meant for the welfare of people in both states.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has charged Karunanidhi with putting the Hogenakkal Water Project on hold, in expectation of a cabinet berth for his daughter, Kanimozhi.

The deferment of the project has come as a breather for the Congress in poll-bound Karnataka as it threatened to become a major issue in the coming Assembly elections.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has said the issue will now be taken up after the Assembly elections in Karnataka in May.

Earlier, Krishna and Union Shipping Minister T. R Baalu met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh separately to seek the Central Government's intervention on the issue.

Krishna urged the Prime Minister to convince the Tamil Nadu Government to postpone operationalisation of the project till the ensuing polls in Karnataka.

Baalu, on the other hand, said Karnataka should have no objection to the drinking water project that is coming up on Tamil Nadu's border with Karnataka.

He also claimed that the Centre had given a no-objection certificate to the project as far back as 1998, and described its obstruction by vested interests in Karnataka as deplorable.

A recent statement by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi over the project undertaken by his government has evoked strong protests in Karnataka.

Krishna alleged that Karunanidhi had used some harsh language against the people of Karnataka. However, Karunanidhi denied this allegation.

The Rs. 1334-crore Hogenakkal drinking water project is expected to provide water supply for the people in Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri Districts.

Hogenakkal, a beautiful natural boundary between the two states is fast becoming an election issue.

The project is located on the 64 kilometres long Palar River, which flows through the thick forest of Chamarajnagar and joins with the Cauvery River. While northern bank belongs to Tamilnadu, the southern bank falls in Karnataka. (ANI)