The Mullai Periyar issue which has become a national issue is fought fiercely within the two states involved in the controversies, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Reacting to the burning effigies of Vaiko, J Jayalalithaa and the Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran, in addition to stoning buses bound to TN, Vaiko asked the public to keep restraint on the issue. The Marumalarchi DMK (MDMK) General Secretary Vaiko on Tuesday appealed to public to be calm on the issue as it was an act of provocation from the Kerala Government’s side to get an edge over the issue.

Accusing Kerala of bent upon demolishing the Mullaperiyar dam, stating that it has become weak and posed danger to lakhs of people in the downstream, Vaiko said slogans were raised against him, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Tamil National Movement leader P Nedumaran during the bandh. The bandh and burning of effigies were part of Kerala government's plan to provoke the people of Tamil Nadu and create hatred between the people of two states, so that it could use the opportunity to demolish the dam, he alleged.

Meanwhile at Kerala Congress (B) Chairman K Balakrishna Pillai said in 1970's, the then Chief Ministers K Karunakaran and M G Ramachandran had agreed to construct a new dam. But this was being ignored by the present Tamil Nadu government.

He further added the Kerala government was ready to spend about Rs 500 Cr to build a new dam to save the lives of the people of four districts in the state and has also shown its willingness to share water. Pillai demanded that BJP's central leadership and Tamil Nadu- CPI (M) and CPI units must pronounce their stand on Mullapperiyar issue immediately.