DMK calls all-party meeting to oppose J&K move

Chennai:tamilnaduprincipaloppositiondravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has launched a bid to gather public opinion against the Central government’s decision to bifurcate Jammukashmir and also revoke Article 370 that had given special status to the border state. DMK, the third largest party in the Lok Sabha and an ally of the Congress, on Wednesday called an all-party meeting at its headquarters Arivalayam in Chennai on Saturday.

The initiative follows an apprehension in the DMK and allied parties that the Centre, which had been displaying a totalitarian style, could apply the Kashmir-style procedure in any state which the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party cannot hold in its grip. That includes Tamil Nadu.

Ally MDMK’S chief Vaiko unleashed a furious atack on the Centre as he discussed Kashmir in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. In Chennai, DMK chief MK Stalin called the action “murder of democracy.” DMK’S own Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi Siva also atacked the move vehemently. The state’s ruling Anna DMK supported the Centre.

DMK spokesperson S. Annadurai said on Wednesday that the meeting will be a general discussion on the topic. “The party will convene and discuss how to go about it, how to take the issue forward,” he said.

Stalin said in a swit reaction on Monday: “The decision by the Centre to repeal Article 370 and re-organise Jammu & Kashmir with many state leaders under house arrest and through a pliant Governor goes against the grain of democracy and constitutionalism. This is a dark day in the history of Indian federalism.”

“The DMK stands with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will oppose any assault on federal structure,” he asserted.

“This is a dark day in the history of Indian federalism. I urge the President of India to not precipitate the situation and not take any further steps in this regard until a democratically elected Government is formed there. The DMK stands with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will oppose any assault on federal structure,” he said in a series of tweets.

In the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, DMK member Dayanidhi Maran pointed to the absence of Farooq Abdullah, senior leader and lawmaker from Srinagar as the House was debating the Centre’s resolution to abrogate Article 370 in J&K. “Abdullah is a member of this House and is missing. He was arrested and there is no intimation. You, as Speaker should protect the members. You should be neutral,” Maran said.