COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu should not support the Union government’s Land Acquisition Bill, MDMK supremo Vaiko said here on Monday.
“Not only Tamil Nadu, but all states should oppose the bill at Wednesday's chief ministers' meeting and protect the rights of farmers. If Tamil Nadu fails to oppose the bill it will be an injustice to the State's farmers,,” Vaiko told mediapersons at the Coimbatore International Airport.
Vaiko was in the city to oversee the arrangements for the conference the MDMK is conducting to commemorate former Chief Minister Annadurai’s 107 birthday and the centenary celebration of Dravidian parties.
Vaiko criticised the Narendra Modi government for its efforts to pass the Land Acquisition Bill even though it is being considered by the parliamentary committee, which clearly shows its double standards, he said.
“The efforts to impose Hindutva, Sanskrit and Hindi are clear indications of the government’s attitude against secularism and minorities. The Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha falsely says that I was opposing Hinduism and that they would send me slippers for it. I will accept them wholeheartedly and give them to those who do not have slippers,” he said.
He also referred to the party's support for prohibition. “I have walked 5,000 km across the State demanding implementation of total prohibition. The MDMK has conducted rallies in which thousands of students participated and supported the cause,” Vaiko said.
On the Vyapam scam, he said, “More incidents related to it will be revealed as a CBI inquiry has been ordered”.