AIADMK hints it may not back no-trust vote
DMK chief urges arch-rival to support the motion.
Salem: Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami on Thursday hinted his party AIADMK might not back the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government, saying the motion was moved by the Telugu Desam over an issue concerning Andhra Pradesh. “No party had backed Tamil Nadu on the Cauvery issue when AIADMK lawmakers had stalled the Lok Sabha for nearly three weeks seeking the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board (CMB) and the Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee (CWRC),” he said.
“You should understand. They (TDP) have moved the no-confidence motion for a problem concerning Andhra Pradesh. When AIADMK MPs from Tamil Nadu stalled Parliament (during the previous session), who did voice (support) for us, who came forward to solve the problems of Cauvery delta farmers?” he asked.
“Which state came forward. No state did,” he told reporters in Salem in response to a query whether the AIADMK will support the motion.
DMK working president M.K. Stalin, meanwhile, urged the ruling AIADMK which has as many as 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, to support the no-confidence motion, saying the move is expected to be a “turning point” in Parliamentary democracy.
Mr Stalin, seeking the support of his party's arch-rival, alleged that the Centre “trashed” Tamil Nadu Assembly resolutions and cited the Union government not clearing two Bills envisaging exemption from NEET for the State.
Accusing the Centre of usurping states’ rights, he listed holding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, steps to replace UGC with a Higher Education body, and several other issues to buttress his point. The DMK leader assured his party's “whole-hearted moral support,” for the no-confidence motion.