The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : VCK, PT join hands to spearhead NDF

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Friday, Dec 19, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

VCK, PT join hands to spearhead NDF

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The two major Dalit parties in Tamil Nadu—the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi and the Puthiya Tamizhagam—have come together as part of the National Dalit Front (NDF) to take on the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which seeks to have a toehold in the State.

The NDF’s first convention, held in Delhi on Wednesday, was attended by VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and PT leader K. Krishnasamy. Mr Thirumavalavan has been appointed vice-president.

Headed by Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the front, an umbrella organisation for Dalit parties across the country, will have Udit Raj, leader of the Indian Justice Party as its general secretary. The Republican Party of India, headed by Ramdas Athwale, is also part of the front.

The event has taken place in the backdrop of BSP leader Mayawati’s visit to Chennai, where she will address a rally on December 22. VCK Legislature Party leader K. Selvam has already resigned from the Assembly and joined the BSP. Senior IAS office Sivakami has also joined the BSP.

But Mr. Thirumavalan contested the argument that his coming together with Dalit organisations, especially Dr. Krishnasamy, was necessitated by the arrival of the BSP in Tamil Nadu. “The front was formed a year ago, But I could not attend the meeting. When I went to Delhi on December 4, Mr. Paswan urged me to attend the convention.”

Reservation sought

Mr. Thirumavalavan said the convention adopted a resolution, opposing all designs to divide the Dalits on the basis of sub-identities. Another resolution demanded reservation in the private sector.

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