Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections | Decisions on Vanniyar quota, Devendrakula Vellalars will not affect others: Edappadi Palaniswami

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami has mentioned the transfer to offer 10.5% inner reservation to Vanniyars throughout the 20% quota for Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities and the generic title of Devendrakula Vellalars to seven castes amongst Scheduled Castes “will not affect others in any manner”.

In an electronic mail response despatched on Saturday to The Puucho‘s questionnaire, Mr. Palaniswami mentioned the selections “are only to give equitable benefit to these social groups [Vanniyars and the seven SC castes].” He termed as “false campaign” the rivalry that these choices had alienated the AIADMK from different communities.

Also learn | 10.5% quota for Vanniyars a provisional arrangement, says Panneerselvam

On February 26, a Bill on the inner quota was adopted by the Assembly and it later acquired assent of Governor Banwarilal Purohit. A couple of weeks later, each Houses of Parliament adopted a Bill that sought to place the seven castes underneath the nomenclature of Devendrakula Vellalars. The Bill adopted the State authorities’s acceptance of advice by an official committee.

Expressing confidence concerning the victory of the AIADMK-led entrance within the Assembly election, Mr. Palaniswami, referring to the findings of a number of surveys that predicted the victory of the DMK-led coalition, mentioned usually, opinion polls have been “not fool proof.” Factors equivalent to time, methodology and bias “distort results.” Observing that he did not connect “much credence” to the opinion polls, he mentioned: “We, as soldiers, work with faith and sincerity, to the end of the [electoral] battle.”

Pointing out that he had been getting “overwhelming support from people,” the Chief Minister, who’s contesting from Edappadi in Salem district for the sixth time, mentioned they have been “appreciative of [the] government’s efforts and performance. This government has effectively handled many crisis [situations] and pushed the development [process] forward. They [the people] have full trust on me and the Government.”

Also learn | Vanniyar reservations will be increased after caste census, says Ramadoss

About the exit of Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), Puthiya Tamilagam and the All India Samuthuva Makkal Katchi from the AIADMK-led alliance regardless of his earlier assertion on the contrary, Mr. Palaniswami mentioned though it was his “desire” that every one the events ought to struggle the ballot collectively, “every one of us should understand [that] the relative strength goes on changing in a dynamic political environment. But, we have no regrets. We still respect them and their decision.”

On the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK)-DMDK alliance and the presence of the Makkal Needhi Maiam-led entrance affecting the prospects of his occasion, he replied within the detrimental and referred to as them “opportunistic formations.”

Manifestos

Regarding his occasion having equivalent electoral guarantees assurances [such as increase in the days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, restoration of monthly billing cycle for domestic category of electricity consumers and the increase in the period of duration of maternity leave] because the DMK’s, Mr Palaniswami acknowledged that “some amount of overlap is inevitable.” It was “unrealistic” to count on that the manifestos of varied events must be completely totally different from each other. This confirmed that “these issues are perceived by all of us as important.”

Also learn | 10.5% quota for Vanniyars permanent: Tamil Nadu Law Minister

Describing the AIADMK as a “democratic and cohesive party,” the AIADMK chief, in response to a question on experiences of lack of cohesion throughout the occasion and lack of cooperation between his occasion and the allies, mentioned his occasion and the companions have been all “working as a team.” He added that “there may be some difference in our perception and strategies. That is the reason why they are in different parties.”

On measures to be adopted to comprise the present spherical of unfold of COVID-19, the Chief Minister mentioned the federal government was “working hard” to implement self-discipline in carrying face masks and using sanitisers. “Vaccination drive is going on in full swing. I am sure that the spread will be contained. But people should also co-operate.”

The Chief Minister selected not to reply questions on AIADMK’s former interim normal secretary V.K. Sasikala’s enchantment on stopping DMK from capturing energy, AIADMK’s modified stand on Citizenship Amendment Act and his critics citing the prevalence of a robust anti-incumbency issue as a result of hike in costs of important commodities equivalent to petrol, diesel and cooking gasoline cylinders.