The AIADMK has decided to work for a massive victory in the local bodies elections expected to be held in October.
During its executive committee meeting held on Saturday at the AIADMK headquarters also took up 14 resolutions in the meeting. This including urging the centre to release funds to the state government to execute various projects. However, most of the resolutions were the usual suspects: Sri Lankan fishermen, Cauvery and the Mullaperiyar dam.
The meeting, chaired by party chief and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, decided to demand that the Cauvery management board be formed, the height of Mullaperiyar dam to be increased, and the restoration of the rights of Tamil fishermen.
Political analysts say that politicians deliberately delay even issues that have been resolved.
K Murari says that while the Cauvery river dispute required a board to be set up, and the Mullaperiyar dam height had not been increased, Tamil Nadu’s fishermen could be spared some agony.
“Sri Lanka has already given a solution to the fishermen issue but they’ve rejected those suggestions. It remains unresolved as the government keeps discussing it,” Murari said.
He says that it is difficult to raise new issues in the Assembly. “They should discuss issues related to universities, on raising education standards. There are no set policies regarding common entrance exams and the government rarely speaks about it,” said K Murari, political analyst.
Under the current political dispensation, TN Gopalan says that the checks and balances had been eroded. “Earlier the Opposition used to give the government a tough time. Even in MGR’s time, Karunanidhi used to raise issues. The effectiveness of the legislature lies in the space given to the Opposition. In the Congress’ time, Speakers had a stature and were impartial. They knew what democracy is really about. Now, there is no space for the Speaker or the Opposition to raise issues. Jayalalithaa cannot stand dissent and criticism,” he said.