Chennai, Nov 10 (BPNS)
The ruling Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA) of Tamil Nadu is in confusion after the Congress, one of the key allies of the alliance, wholeheartedly welcomed the Supreme Court verdict on10% quota for Economically Weaker sections (EWS).
The quota is for government jobs as well as for admissions to state-run and private unaided educational institutions.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, K.S. Alagiri welcomed the Supreme Court judgment upholding 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections.
While this was the political stand of the Congress party at the national level, in Tamil Nadu it has created fissures within the Secular Progressive Alliance as the DMK which heads the alliance, was totally against this.
DMK president and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin has said that the verdict was “A setback in our century-long crusade for social justice”. Stalin also called for all like-minded parties to unite to protect social justice.
Dr. G. Padmanabhan, Political analyst and Director of Socio-Economic Development Foundation, a think tank based out of Madurai while speaking to BPNS said, “ Congress has always been for the Economic reservation and as TNCC president, K.S. Alagiri will have to accept the verdict and welcome it. DMK has been on a relentless pursuit against economic reservation and hence there is bound to be friction over this in the Secular Progressive Alliance ruling Tamil Nadu.”
He said that the DMK and the Congress leaders will have to sit together and iron out the differences in the days to come to prevent any major rundown among the allies.
Interestingly another alliance partner of the ruling DMK front in Tamil Nadu, the CPI-M was also not opposed to the economic reservation per se. However, the party expressed concern over the split verdict of three judges favouring economic reservation while two judges opposed it. The CPI-M in the statement said, “ The CPI-M is not opposed to reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in education and jobs per se.”
This has also created confusion in the DMK and its allies as it would need much explanation for the DMK which is heading the front as well as the government before the people on the economic reservation.
Dr. Swaminathan .R, a retired Professor of Economics from a University and political observer while speaking to BPNS said, “There is indeed confusion in the Secular Progressive Alliance but at least opinions are coming out. In the opposition AIADMK, there is an eerie silence and even after two days, there has not been a proper response from the major opposition party.”
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has already called a meeting of all political parties with representation in the assembly on November 12 to discuss the issues regarding the Supreme Court verdict on 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections.
