Protect Indian Union from divisive forces: Stalin

Tamil Nadu CM says Constitution should be amended to confer more powers on States

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday made a fervent call to protect the Indian Union from divisive forces.

“I wish to make an appeal, not just to the leaders on this stage, but to everyone who believes in secular values. Our Indian Union is facing a big threat from divisive forces. We all need to come together to defeat them and protect the founding principles of India,” he said at a function organised in Chennai to release his autobiography Ungalil Oruvan (One among you).

Mr. Stalin said the speech of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that “India is a union of States” and “the BJP can never ever rule over the people of Tamil Nadu” was proof that he had fully understood and assimilated the Dravidian ideology.

“Anna and Kalaignar [former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi] wanted the Indian leaders to have a similar change of mind. What could not be achieved during their lifetime is being achieved now. I appreciate Mr. Rahul Gandhi for now speaking about federalism,” he said.

Mr. Stalin said the Constitution should be amended to confer more powers on States and the Congress, Communist parties and other regional parties should raise their voice in support of the demand.

“There is a need to prevent disfiguring of States by depriving them of their financial rights and right to thought. All political parties should come together for the purpose,” he said.