Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam president and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Saturday wondered why All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa, while in power, did not provide exclusive quota for Muslims.
It was the DMK regime that had created 3.5 per cent separate reservation for the Muslims.
Though Ms. Jayalalithaa was Chief Minister for nearly 10 years in separate spells, why did she not provide the quota for the community, Mr. Karunanidhi asked in a statement.
Bond
She could fool some people but not the Muslims. The bond between the DMK and the community went back to the days of C.N. Annadurai and Quaid-e-Milleth.
Even during the recent seat-sharing negotiations, the number of seats (three) allotted to the Indian Union Muslim League was reduced at one time but subsequently restored.
Manifesto
When the demand for raising the quota had been made by several organisations, the DMK, in its manifesto, assured the community that it would consider it in the event of its return to power, Mr. Karunanidhi said, adding that the Muslims knew well who would shed crocodile tears for them only at the time of elections.