The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : House commends Karunanidhi’s efforts

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

House commends Karunanidhi’s efforts

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Assembly on Friday commended Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for his efforts to make the 27 per cent quota for Other Backward Classes in central institutions of higher learning a reality.

A motion, proposed by Pattali Makkal Katchi leader G.K. Mani, recalled that Mr. Karunanidhi, on March 30, 2007, moved a resolution in the Assembly which was adopted unanimously, the day after the Supreme Court gave its interim order on the issue.

The 2007 resolution had urged the Union government to call for immediate convening of two Houses of Parliament and take steps.

Subsequently, the State government moved the Supreme Court.

As a result, the apex court, on Thursday, upheld the validity of the quota. This was a “spectacular victory” for the efforts of the Chief Minister. Mr. Mani thanked his party founder S. Ramadoss for having worked for a consensus among constituents of the United Progressive Alliance on the issue.

The resolution was seconded by Congress leader D. Sudarsanam.

The Communist Party of India, the CPI (Marxist), the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam participated in the discussion on the motion.

Wrapping up the debate, Mr. Karunanidhi said the struggle for social justice was not yet over. “There are several things left to be accomplished. We will all have to fulfil them.”

He had taken up with Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh the subject of exclusion of creamy layer from the ambit of reservation and Mr. Singh had told him that the Union Cabinet would consider it.

The Chief Minister described Mr Singh’s assurance as “comforting.”

Referring to Mr. Sudarsanam’s request to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for taking part in the discussion [AIADMK whip K.A. Sengottaiyan remained unmoved], Mr. Karunanidhi said: “We have to regard silence as a sign of approval.”

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