Idukki(Kerala) | Congress MP Dean Kuriakose on Saturday condemned the new Tamil Nadu government's stand that it will not allow the building of a new dam near Mullaperiyar and will increase its water level.

Kuriakose, the MP from the Idukki Lok Sabha constituency, said that Kerala's stand on the Mullaperiyar issue has always been safety for itself and water for Tamil Nadu.

"However, the new government in Tamil Nadu, in its recent policy address, has clearly stated that it will not allow Kerala to build a new dam, and will raise its water level. Such a stand is condemnable," he said.

In its policy address on Thursday, the Tamil Nadu government, on the Mullaiperiyar issue, said it will take firm measures to prevent Kerala's attempt to build a new dam.

The Tamil Nadu government also said that it will take concerted action to carry out repair works in the Mullaperiyar dam area and raise its water level.

The neighbouring state's stand came a day after Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on June 17 said that his administration will hold "bilateral discussions" with the Tamil Nadu government regarding the over-125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam to ensure safety for Kerala and water for its neighbour.

Satheesan had said that the discussions will be conducted after the Budget presentation on June 19.

The Mullaperiyar dam was built in 1895. While Tamil Nadu has been maintaining that the dam is "absolutely safe", Kerala has been vociferous in its demand for a new dam to be built near the existing structure.