Chennai: The MDMK on Saturday said that it would strive to rename the country as “United State of India” if the BJP-led alliance was voted to power at the Centre.
“Those who initially claimed ‘unity in diversity’ gradually began to concentrate power in the central government. Federalism must be protected to safeguard unity and integrity of India.
We feel there is a necessity to bring amendments to the Constitution to change the name of country from ‘Union of India’ to ‘United States of India’,” party general secretary Vaiko said while releasing his party manifesto for the elections. When asked whether BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would support it, Mr Vaiko said it was not necessary that all coalition partners have to agree with his party’s demand. “It is our view,” he said.
The MDMK, which will contest seven Lok Sabha seats as part of the BJP-led alliance, demanded that the powers relating to education and the residuary powers listed in the Constitution should be fully given to the states. The party has promised reservation in the private sector, inter-linking of rivers, setting up of Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Water Regulation Committee to oversee sharing of Cauvery waters between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
