More parties to attend DMK's all-party meet

CHENNAI: With the cancellation of RK Nagar bypoll, the DMK has moved to the farmers issue, calling for an all-party meeting on the farmers plight on April 16. The meeting is expected to see more support and participation of parties who are not in the DMK alliance at present.

Stalin, in a statement on Thursday said separate invitations had been sent to leaders of all parties. The leaders of all parties would attend the meeting to find solution to farmers problems and give suggestions to wipe out their misery.

Stalin said farmers of the state are committing suicide since Tamil Nadu did not get its share of water as per the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal and is facing severe drought. A section of farmers was forced to strip their dress and protest in Delhi. Several farmers organisations, students, youth, traders and many sections of people had been protesting in support of the farmers, he said.

Stalin said neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor Chief Minister 'Edappadi K. Palanisami are in a mood to invite the farmers for talks and find a solution for their problems. The DMK leader recalled that he had met the protesting farmers on April 1 and promised to convene an all party meeting to discuss the farmers issues.

He had convened a similar meeting in the last week of October which turned out to be a meeting of DMK alliance parties. But, this time, leaders from other parties are expected to attend the meeting.

Last time, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan expressed his wish to attend the all party meeting. But, he did not participate since there was opposition to it from leaders of the People's Welfare Alliance, in which the VCK was a constituent.

However, the PWA had fragmented after the walk out of MDMK leader Vaiko from the alliance and the decision of CPM to field a candidate in the RK Nagar bypoll.

The VCK does not have constraints to attend the all party meeting and the CPI too is likely to take part in the meeting. The stand of CPM, which is critical of the DMK, remains unknown.

The VCK does not have constraint to attend the all party meeting and the CPI too is likely to take part in the meeting. The stand of CPI(M), which is critical of the DMK, remains unknown.