Coimbatore: By announcing a 10.5% quota within a quota for vanniyars, and getting the Centre to club together seven scheduled castes into one and calling them devendrakula vellalar, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami did what his predecessors didn’t.
Though the two demands were decades old, they were never considered by J Jayalalithaa or by M Karunanidhi because they would unsettle the caste dynamics electorally. EPS has now changed the caste dynamics and could reap the benefits in the poll. Some in the AIADMK term it a masterstroke by EPS to consolidate certain caste groups. But giving in to the demands of devendrakula vellalars and vanniyars comes with the risk of antagonizing the AIADMK’s traditional vote banks.
Tension over damage to flex board
Updated:
Updated:
Share Article
AAA
Tension prevailed on 80 Feet Road at Ramanathapuram in the city on Saturday morning after unknown persons tore a flex board that was placed in respect of freedom fighter U. Muthuramalinga Thevar.
The flex board kept at Makaliamman temple was found torn, following which members of organisations, including Mukkulathor Pulipadai, staged a road blockade, said the police.
The Ramanathapuram police reached the spot and held talks with the protesters who alleged that communal forces were behind the desecration of the photo.
The protesters vacated the place after inspector S. Murugesan pacified them and assured them of tracing the persons involved in the act.