Chennai, April 5:The week-long standoff between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka eased today as Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced that the contentious Hogenakkal project would be put on hold for now. But troubled brewed for him at home as AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa charged him with betraying the state’s interests.

Putting a cap on the rising tensions with Karnataka, especially after the film stars of both the states joined the fray taking diametrically opposite stands, Karunanidhi said: “Let bygones be bygones. Let the future be bright. We will wait till President’s Rule in Karnakata comes to an end and an elected government assumes charge after the polls.”

He added: “Let us wait for a few days only. I hope that a popular government will understand our demand and abide by the 1998 agreement to implement the scheme.”

Karnataka is scheduled to go to polls next month and Hogenakkal project is expected to become a major poll issue.

In his statement, Karunanidhi said those who had faith in the integrity and sovereignty of the nation would never accept the present “anguish” among the people of Tamil Nadu developing into a “permanent hatred”, that too when Karnataka is gripped with poll fever.

Karunanidhi’s statement, which came after his talks with former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader S M Krishna, was largely welcomed in Karnataka.

Jayalalithaa, however, in a hard-hitting statement said Karunanidhi’s decision is “a great betrayal of the people” and he had “lost the moral right to continue as Chief Minister”. Her statement came as Tamil Nadu witnessed stray incidents of violence.

A Karnataka state transport corporation bus was set on fire in the border town of Hosur. Reports said over 30 protesters asked the passengers of the bus going from Villupuram to Bangalore to get down before setting it ablaze. The busy industrial Hosur town, close to the Karnataka border, wore a deserted look as it observed a bandh.

Volunteers of several youth organisations organised a dharna in front of the BJP state headquarters in Chennai and burned an effigy of former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Over 100 persons were taken into custody in connection with the incident.n the state and neighbouring Karnataka over the issue which had sparked violence in both the states.

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