Alternative political movement launched

Chennai: A group of students and youth from across Tamil Nadu launched an alternative political movement ‘Tamil Nadu Desiya Iyakkam’ to groom students into leaders, on Sunday.

“We analysed all political movements in the state and we did not find a single party which is trustworthy. So we launched this movement,” said P. Sivachandran from University of Madras and a presidential committee member of the movement.

The motto of the movement read as ‘don’t search for the leader and be the leader’.  “We want to educate students about politics, make them participate in political discourses and politics,” he said.

Another member of the presidential committee Antony Claret said, “It’s a coalition of the students, youth, fisher folk and farmers. We want them to get engaged in politics. There will be interventions by them in the following elections.”

“The movement is yet to enroll the members and we held many discussions with the students and farmers and other sectors to know their expectations,” he said.
Professor Ramu Manivannan from the department of politics and public administration released the election manifesto of the movement which promises 50 per cent reservation for women, implementation of prohibition and compulsory free education.

“This movement aims to create political and social awareness among young people. It will also encourage them to get involved in politics directly,” Manivannan said.