‘BJP will never gain foothold in T.N.’

‘Ambedkar’s ideals will defend State from communal forces’

Even though the BJP-led Centre was pulling out all stops to pave the way for the entry of communal forces into Tamil Nadu, it will not succeed in this attempt so long as the ideals of Dr. Ambedkar prevail in the State, said DMK working president M.K. Stalin here on Friday.

“Dr. Ambedkar’s ideas, his dream for the uplift-ment of society and his tireless work would always remain relevant,” the DMK leader said, while addressing mediapersons after garlanding the statue of the founding father of the Indian Constitution on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

‘Wait and see’

When asked about the outcome of his party’s demand for the removal of Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar from the State Cabinet in the wake of Income Tax searches at his residence, and the party’s memorandum to the Governor in this regard, Mr. Stalin said that the question should be posed to Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. “Our party leaders have already submitted my letter to the Governor in Mumbai, and he has also promised to take action. Let us wait,” he said.

Mr. Stalin welcomed the decision of the CPI and the VCK to take part in the all-party meeting proposed by the DMK to discuss the problems being faced by farmers in the State.

Insisting that the meeting was not aimed at facilitating a change in government, he said, “The objective of the meeting is to discuss the welfare of farmers. If you are interested in knowing about a possible change in government, you better ask T.T.V. Dhinakaran (AIADMK Amma leader), who is chairing a meeting at his residence.”