Minority reservation sparks furore in TN assembly

Chennai, Aug 7 (UNI) Provision of reservation for minorities triggered heated exchanges and noisy scenes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today and culminated in slogan shouting and a walk out by the main opposition AIADMK.

The trouble started when Mr Peter Alphonse (Congress) hailed AIADMK's change of heart in welcoming reservation for minorities after suffering a big defeat in the May eight Assembly polls.

Intervening, in the speech by S P Velusamy (AIADMK), on the debate on demand for grants for BCs, MBCs and Minorities Welfare Department, Minister M R K Panneerselvam said the State would bring in a bill providing reservation for minorities after getting the recommendations of the State Minorities Commission.

Environment Minister Moideen Khan said it was surprising that the AIADMK, which had opposed the Andhra Pradesh Government's resolution providing reservation for minorities, was now supporting it.

Power Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said it was the AIADMK regime which had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court agreeing to 50 per cent reservation of the total 69 per cent. The DMK government had been making all efforts to get the balance 19 per cent reservation for Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, SCs and STs.

At this stage, Mr Alphonse made the remark and said the minorities were denied their basic rights during the previous AIADMK regime. He also referred to the Anti-Conversion Law brought in by the AIADMK Government, causing a furore among the AIADMK members.

The House plunged into turmoil and nothing could be heard in the din.

MORE UNI GV JJ SRS RAI1735