Leaders of various communities and caste-outfits brought together by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss on Saturday expressed their desire to enter the fray during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, arguing that political empowerment alone would help realise their aspirations.
The leaders, forming part of the All Community Federation, said the proposal to contest the election was under consideration and Dr Ramadoss would take a final decision.
The Federation had been running a campaign against inter-caste marriages and seeking amendments to the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
Though Dr Ramadoss chaired Saturday’s meeting, he asked other leaders to brief the media about their future plans, citing health reasons.
“The leaders of the Federation feel that they should contest the polls,” said G.K. Nagaraj, member of the coordination committee.
Asked how long the community leaders would remain united and whether they would not extend their support to the AIADMK or the DMK at the time of elections, P.T. Arasakumar, leader of the National Forward Bloc, replied that constituents of the Federation would never ever support the Dravidian parties as it was because of their rule that casteism continued to survive in some form in Tamil Nadu.
Another resolution wanted the government to increase the marriageable age for girls to 21.
Plea for action
Earlier Devanathan, leader of the Yadava Mahasabha, said action should be taken against Dravidan Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani for ridiculing Hindu gods.
“He is hurting the sentiments and faith of crores of people,” he said.
