AIADMK backs caste census, but right now Kallakurichi issue more important, says party

After Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday moved a resolution in the State Assembly urging the Central Government to immediately initiate the census work, AIAMDK's C Vijayabaskar on Wednesday expressed the party's support for the census but stated they are boycotting it to advocate for the people of Kallakurichi.

After Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday moved a resolution in the State Assembly urging the Central Government to immediately initiate the census work, AIAMDK leader C Vijayabaskar on Wednesday expressed the party's support for the census but stated they are boycotting it to advocate for the people of Kallakurichi. Notably, 61 people have lost their lives due to the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, as per the Kallakurichi District Collectorate. Currently, 91 people are undergoing treatment at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital and 32 people have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital.

Speaking with the reporters, Vijayabaskar said, "The speaker stated that we are boycotting the community census that they are talking about today, but it is nothing like that. Our leader of the opposition (LoP) has clearly stated in the previous AIADMK regime, that there was a lot of representation from different community parties." He added, "In fact, a committee under Retired Justice Kulasekaran was formed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami (Tamil Nadu LoP) for this purpose only. We are clearly for that. We have boycotted this solely to be the voice of the people of Kallakurichi."

Earlier in the day, Palaniswami and several AIADMK MLAs were suspended for the entire assembly session. The suspension followed a resolution passed on Wednesday in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The suspension came after AIADMK MLAs raised slogans against the DMK government over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

Tamil Nadu Speaker M. Appavu ordered the eviction of the AIADMK MLAs who disrupted the assembly proceedings. The MLAs had demanded an adjournment of the Q&A session and continued to raise slogans over the tragedy. Speaker Appavu stated, "Many important issues need to be discussed in the Assembly. The caste census resolution is to be passed. The CM also felt that the Opposition must be part of this. So, the CM intervened and requested not to suspend AIADMK MLAs for the entire session. As per rule 56, AIADMK gave a motion for adjournment. But they are not ready to listen to what I am saying."

Meanwhile, the AIADMK took to its official X handle and targeted the state government and said, "The state government has full authority to conduct a caste-wise census. But today, to cover up the problems of the people and considering the Vikravandi by-election, the central government has decided to take a caste-wise census as a matter of urgency." In another post, it said, "When the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was in power, it accepted the request of various leaders and ordered a caste-wise census on December 21, 2020 and started the work for the same. But after the change of government, the DMK government did not extend the period and they are acting now." (ANI)

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