VCK leader Thirumavalavan calls EPS 'Ilavu Kaatha Kili'

CHENNAI: Rebuking Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami for calling the allies of the DMK "subservient" to their political master, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan on Wednesday said that Palaniswami was speaking out of frustration.

The AIADMK leader's long wait, much like the 'Ilavu Kaatha Kili' (the parrot that waited in vain by the cotton tree), for some of the alliance parties in the DMK-led front to exit and join the AIADMK-led front ended in vain. Hence, he began speaking in such a manner out of frustration, said Thiruma, ahead of participating in the all-parties meeting regarding the National Education-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) after President Droupadi Murmu withheld assent to TN's anti-NEET bill.

The VCK leader's retort came in response to a question from journalists regarding Palaniswami's strong criticism of the DMK allies. Palaniswami had reiterated that the allies in the DMK front had willingly executed a bond to remain subservient to their political master, never raising any issues concerning the welfare of the people in the state.

Thiruma also hailed the Supreme Court's verdict against Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi for resorting to a pocket veto over 10 Bills passed by the TN Assembly.

"We called on the CM to convey our wishes for victory in this legal battle. This is a victory for non-BJP ruling states, where Governors remain a stumbling block for the respective state's policies, " he said.

"We are planning to urge the CM to convene a meeting with his counterparts from non-BJP-ruled states to make a joint effort to move education from the Concurrent List to the State List, " he added.

Regarding the non-participation of the AIADMK and the BJP in the all-party meeting over NEET, and their claim that the meeting was "mere drama" designed to "deceive" the people of Tamil Nadu, Thiruma said they were viewing the issue through the lens of electoral politics.

The DMK, since coming to power, had taken several measures and passed the NEET (Amendment) Bill twice in the state assembly. The AIADMK and the BJP, driven by alliance interests, were levelling such charges against the DMK government's efforts that suited their political agenda. However, they have failed to offer any solutions to the issue.

The Chidambaram MP further stated that they had appealed to the DMK government to do away with the 15% central quota in medical education, as the situation has changed and many states now have an adequate number of medical colleges.