Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has criticized Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for his recent resolution urging the union government to conduct a caste-based census. EPS claimed that the resolution was politically motivated and timed to influence the upcoming Vikravandi by-election.EPS argued that Stalin’s resolution was a hasty move aimed at securing votes from the Vanniyar community, which is dominant in the Vikravandi assembly segment. “The CM moved the resolution in a hurried manner, insisting the Centre conduct a caste-based census. It is acting and it is being done to garner the votes of Vanniyar community people in Vikravandi by-election,” EPS told reporters outside the assembly.
He pointed out that during the AIADMK regime, a measure to collect caste-based data was initiated and a panel headed by a retired High Court judge was formed. However, EPS accused the DMK regime of derailing this initiative by not providing the panel with adequate time to complete its task.
“The AIADMK regime had taken a measure to conduct caste-based data and formed a panel that was headed by a retired High Court judge. The DMK regime derailed it by not giving adequate time for the panel to accomplish its task,” he said.