The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : New party floated to protect rights of Dalits

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 07, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

New party floated to protect rights of Dalits

Special Correspondent

Will talk with AIADMK on seat-sharing if invited, says leader

CHENNAI : A new party, the Pattali Munnetra Kazhagam (Pa.Mu.Ka), was launched on Monday to protect the rights of Dalits and backward and most backward classes, besides defending social justice.

The party's general secretary, P.D. Elangovan, told reporters here that it would finalise strategy for the Assembly elections shortly. It would hold seat-sharing talks with the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam if invited. The party had moved the Election Commission for recognition.

Mr. Elangovan, who was a leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) till his expulsion in 2004, charged PMK founder S. Ramadoss with "systematically sidelining" those who made great contributions to the growth the Vanniyar Sangam and the party.

He also criticised the PMK for forging an electoral pact with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The Pa.Mu.Ka. would strive to stall plunder of the State's natural resources, besides implementing education through Tamil medium. Achieving good governance and more powers for the State were other goals of the party.

Mr. Elangovan praised the State Government for "effectively tackling problems caused by tsunami and floods." He commended schemes such as `Uzhavar Padhukappu Thittam' and distribution of free bicycles to students.

On his association with the Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Elangovan said he was given the party ticket to contest the Dharmapuri Lok Sabha seat in 2004. He left the BJP before launching the Pa.Mu.Ka, he added.

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