Opposition leaders in the State on Friday evening publicly called upon DMK leader M.K. Stalin to initiate steps to dislodge the Edappadi K Palaniswami government in Tamil Nadu. Responding positively, the latter said if the Governor failed to call for a floor test in the Assembly, the DMK would initiate steps to fulfil the demand of the opposition parties.
A public meeting held in Tiruchi opposing the NEET turned into a platform for various leaders to hit out at the State and Central governments.
Mr. Stalin agreed with opposition leaders that bringing down the government would put an end to the prevailing situation in the State.
“We are taking necessary steps towards this and we will meet the Governor day after tomorrow (Sunday). We will tell him that it will be last time we will be meeting him on the issue (on the demand for a floor test in Assembly). If the Governor, doesn't act we will mobilise the people and launch a massive struggle until the present government is brought down,” Mr. Stalin said.
Mr. Stalin announced that the opposition parties, in the second phase of agitation against NEET, would stage demonstrations in all district headquarters on September 13. “We will decide on the subsequent course of action after studying today’s Supreme Court,” he added.
Seeking to deflect criticism against the Congress for bringing in NEET, TNCC president Su. Thirunavukkarasar, said although NEET was piloted by his party, there was no compulsion on States to accept it then. “Even Jayalalithaa was able to stave it off last year. But the present government is scared of the Centre,” Mr. Stalin said.
K. Veeramani, Dravidar Kazhagam leader, said Tamil Nadu was the land of social justice and the public meeting was only the beginning of the fight that will see the end of NEET, which struck at the roots of the rights of States.
CPI (M) State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said the state government had no right to continue in office after shattering the hopes of students by holding out false promises.
CPI State secretary R.Mutharasan said there was no place for NEET in Tamil Nadu.
VCK leader Thol.Thirumavalavan accused the BJP government of attempting to indirectly enforce Manu dharma in the country.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader Jawahirullah termed the introduction of NEET as an international conspiracy. IUML national president Khader Mohideen said the entrance test was an attack on Dravidian culture.
Permission cancelled
Earlier, as the police cancelled the permission for the meeting, Mr. Stalin and other leaders went into a huddle but decided to go ahead with the meeting. City police commissioner A. Arun briefed the leaders on the reasons for the withdrawal of permission.
However, the leaders contended that holding a peaceful public meeting did not come under the ambit of the Supreme Court ban on anti- NEET protests.
