The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : "Reconsider decision on boycotting re-poll for Chennai Corporation wards"

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 05, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

"Reconsider decision on boycotting re-poll for Chennai Corporation wards"

Special Correspondent

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal plea to AIADMK, MDMK

CHENNAI: General secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Thol. Thirumavalavan on Sunday asked the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) to reconsider their decision to boycott the re-poll for certain wards of the Chennai Corporation.

He told reporters here that both the AIADMK and MDMK had to perform their duty as good Opposition parties. The party wanted them to contest the re-poll slated for February 18. The party would re-nominate its candidates for the two wards earmarked to it, he said.

Replying to queries on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's appeal to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to renounce violence and return to talks, he said the Island government should not harp on the "same old theory." Mr. Rajapaksa should immediately initiate steps to devolve powers to the Tamil areas, as advised by India and the United States, he added.

Mr.Thirumavalavan welcomed Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S.Ramadoss' request for deputing a person who understood the feelings of Tamils to Sri Lanka as India's special envoy to find a lasting solution to the ethnic problem.

Welfare board sought

He stressed the need for providing exclusive reservation for `Arunthathiyars' who formed part of linguistic minorities. For generations, Dalits belonging to this community had been involved in conservancy work in the State. A resolution highlighting the demand for separate reservation for them was adopted at a meeting of the newly formed Forum for Protection of Linguistic Minorities, he said. The forum would strive to protect the social, political and cultural rights of the linguistic minorities residing in Tamil Nadu for several decades, even while preserving unity and prestige of the State. The VCK would extend support to the forum, he said. Through a resolution, the forum pleaded with the Government to form separate welfare board for linguistic minorities.

Thanking Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi for declaring Government holiday on Ugadhi, it asked the Government to hold official functions to celebrate birth anniversary of Tirumalai Naicker.

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