Chennai: The state government will consult legal experts on the 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker section (EWS) and ensure that it does not affect the existing 69 per cent quota being implemented in Tamil Nadu, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has said.
Representatives of political parties and leaders of various parties who had allayed their concerns, made it clear that the 69 per cent reservation being implemented in the State should not be affected in any way. “They are firm that the 69 per cent reservation which Amma (former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa) had ensured the inclusion in the 9th schedule will in no way be affected,” Mr Panneerselvam said emerging out of the all-party meeting convened at the secretariat here on Monday evening by the AIADMK government.
Speaking to reporters he said representatives and leaders from 21 political parties who had participated in the meeting had expressed their views discussed at length. “The AIADMK would not deviate from the social justice policy of Amma and a good decision would be taken based on it,” the Deputy CM said and added that the former CM had ensured recognition to the 69 per cent quota.
Meanwhile, the DMK-combine appears to be divided on implementing the 10 per cent reservation for EWS. It’s allies, the Congress and CPI (M), along with the BJP, are among the five parties that favoured the quota. The CPI on the other hand claimed “an ulterior motive” in the Centre implementing the 10 per cent reservation.
“The state government was all set to get the Centre's nod when your leader's wife Nalini Chidambaram obtained an order from the court,” Dr Vijayabaskar charged and asked, “with which face do you (Congress) oppose Neet in Tamil Nadu?”
At this Stalin said, “I don't deny Congress brought it (Neet) but when Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat he had opposed it but now as Prime Minister he is favouring it.” Replying, Dr Vijayabaskar said then Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa too had opposed the test and that the Dravidian parties are steadfast on their stand on the issue.
Intervening, Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the House O. Panneerselvam said the Assembly cannot pass resolution condemning the Centre. “The state government will consult legal experts and take a good decision,” he added.
When Stalin insisted that the government could consider passing a resolution exerting pressure on the Centre, Mr Panneerselvam said the government would file a review petition in the Supreme Court after consulting legal experts.
Maintaining that resolution condemning the Centre would not yield result, law minister C. Ve. Shanmugam said his ministry has sought a clarification from the Centre as to why the two Assembly resolutions were 'withheld.'
“The dictionary meaning of withheld is stopped and it does not mean rejected,” Shanmugam explained.
When deputy leader Duraimurugan sought to know why the government is hesitating to exert pressure on Centre, the Chief Minister assured that his government would consult legal experts on tackling the issue. “The government will consult legal experts on how to draft the resolution and take further action,” Mr Palaniswami said.
