OPS dissolves panel on merger talks
Virtually bringing down the curtains on the merger of the two rival AIADMK groups, Puratchi Thalaivi Amma camp leader O Panneerselvam on Sunday announced dissolving a seven-member panel set up to hold merger talks with the Amma faction led by CM K Palaniswami.
The former Tamil Nadu chief minister made the announcement at a meeting of party functionaries here. It was received by cheers from supporters, with his senior colleagues rushing to congratulate him.
He said he was being “forced” to come up with such an announcement as he had been “tolerating” all kinds of “irresponsible statements” from the opposition camp.
People from all walks of life, especially women, students and the youth, were now opposing the idea of the merger, he said.
“In this situation, the panel that was formed on behalf of our team (to hold merger talks) is being dissolved,” he said.
Panneerselvam’s announcement came as no visible progress was made in the proposed talks.
The state government has blamed Dalit outfit Bhim Army, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, BJP MP Raghav Lakhanpal as well as Muslim leaders associated with the SP and the Congress for the caste conflict and violence in Saharanapur.
In its report sent to the central government on the violence in Saharanpur, in which two persons were killed and over two dozen injured, the state government also blamed the laxity on part of district administration officers for the clash between upper caste and Dalits in Shabbirpur village and other areas.
A home department officer said the central government has sought a report over the monthlong tension and violence in Saharanpur. The report was dispatched on Saturday; it blames Lakhanpal for taking out a procession to mark the birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ambedkar though the route was not approved by the district administration. Members of Muslim community objected to the procession that resulted in the clash between Muslims and Dalit community.
Later, Lakhanpal’s supporters vandalised the residence of the superintendent of police; the MP was also present.
In a separate incident on May 5, members of the Thakur community clashed with Dalits over a procession to mark the birth anniversary of Maharana Pratap. This route was not approved by the district administration as well. During probe, it was found that the SDM had given permission for the procession but he did not inform senior officers. One person was killed in the clash between the members of the Thakur and the Dalit communities in Shabbirpur village.
The report said Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar mobilised members of the Dalit community and instigated them to assemble in Gandhi park despite prohibitory orders. Later he organised a rally at Jantar Mantra in Delhi.
Violence again erupted on May 23 after the visit of BSP chief to Shabbirpur village. One person was killed in the clash.