DMK to challenge waqf bill in SC, says Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

UDHAGAMANDALAM: PM Narendra Modi should allay the fears of people of Tamil Nadu surrounding the proposed delimitation exercise, Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin said on Sunday. Modi should also ensure that a resolution is passed in the Parliament to make sure the rights of Tamil Nadu are not curbed, he said .

Stalin, after inaugurating a slew of projects and announcing new schemes at an event, said he has sought an appointment with the PM to present the memorandum on the concerns surrounding the proposed delimitation.

"You (Modi) should also ensure that a resolution is passed in the Parliament. This (delimitation) not only leads to a reduction of Parliamentary seats, it is our right to ask and at the same time, it is also a cause of worry about our future," he said. "Including Puducherry, there would be 40 Parliamentary seats. But governing BJP govt is trying to shrink our voices through delimitation, " he added.

The chief minister also announced that DMK MP A Raja would file a petition in Supreme Court on Monday against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and criticised rival AIADMK for not opposing the legislation strongly enough in Parliament. "DMK MPs A Raja and Trichy Siva spoke at length against the bill. AIADMK MP Thambidurai also spoke - but the speech was barely for one minute. Even in that speech, it was not clear whether AIADMK supported or opposed the bill," he said.