THE Dravidian parties have betrayed the cause of Periyar and strayed away from the principles of the Dravidian movement leaving in the lurch the Dalits and the poor of the state, said CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat at Dharmapuri on February 13. Addressing a public meeting of Makkal Nala Kootani (Peoples' Welfare Alliance), the CPI(M) leader said that people had become pawns in the political power play between the two parties, the AIADMK and the DMK. The continuing atrocities against dalits in the state were a pointer to the indifference of the two parties. “Dalits are not allowed to mourn their dead and are lathi-charged for using a common pathway to the graveyard. The oppression of dalits continues to rise unchecked in the state,” Brinda Karat said. The Modi-led government came to power on the promise of ‘Achhe Din.’ Two years had passed since, but the poor farmer and the common man had not yet seen the promised ‘good days.’ “However, the corporate firms and big businesses were enjoying loan write-offs and the good times, as promised by Mr Modi,” she said. The landmark MNREGA that guaranteed 100 days of labour, but that was reduced to 46 days per family, after the centre cut down funds for the scheme. “Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar sat on a hunger strike in New Delhi for funds for MNREGA, while the chief minister of Tamil Nadu never raised a single demand with the visiting union finance minister on MNREGA,” Brinda said. She said that this was not merely a difference of personalities of two chief ministers, but a reflection of difference in approach and policies. It was here that the Makkal Nala Kootani would strive to change the face of Tamil Nadu politics, when its cadre would reach out to the masses and help bring in a change in the elections. LAW NEEDED TO CURB HONOUR KILLINGS Earlier in the day, Brinda Karat addressed a massive special conference against honour killings, organised by the AIDWA and 20 organisations. She said that the governments of the day had proudly claimed both in the UN and in parliament that there was not a single case of honour killing in the country. There was a law to register murder and rape, but none to account for murder in the name of honour. How can there be data, where there was no law, she asked. The struggle to bring in a legislation in respect of honour killing was not just a legal, social, and political battle, but also economic, since the poor were used as pawns in the caste politics unleashed in the name of caste purity, Brinda said. Referring to Illavarasan and Divya, she accused the PMK (Pattali Makkal Katchi, a casteist party) of running a campaign that cost the lives of Illavarasan, and Divya’s father. The struggle was to break this cultural concept of women as repositories of community honour. U Vasuki, all India vice-president, AIDWA, said that there had been a systemic erosion of women’s rights with the proliferation of caste outfits. “These outfits now urge their community not to send girls for higher education, not to teach them computers, not to give them mobile phones.” “When someone is murdered, a relative of the deceased would file a complaint. But in the case of an honour killing committed by the victim’s immediate kin, who will file a complaint?” she asked, stressing the urgency for a separate law. She also asked parents to teach their children to make an informed choice, and raise them as equals. P Delhi Babu, CPI(M) MLA from Arur constituency said the Left representatives had raised the demand for a legislation and would put pressure on the government for the same. AIDWA leaders N Amirtham, P Suganthi and S Valentina and others spoke. PUDUCHERRY People’s Welfare Alliance Promises Statehood GAINING huge support from the people of Tamil Nadu, the People's Welfare Alliance (PWA) found its good start in Puducherry also. A massive meeting of the PWA was attended by Vaiko, D Raja, G Ramakrishnan, R Mutharasan, Thol. Thirumavalavan, Vishwanathan, Rajangam, the leaders of the front at Puducherry on February 6. Vaiko, the convener of the front and general secretary of MDMK claimed that the very formation of the front had sent shock waves among political opponents who were spreading rumours that the front would disintegrate as they were jittery about it. Those who are spreading rumours are only indulging in wishful thinking. The PWA would emerge victorious in the elections and form the next government in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, he stated. “We have strong cadres and firm policies. If we are elected to power we would procure statehood for Puducherry and make the union territory free of liquor,” he said. STATEHOOD ISSUE Taking a dig at chief minister N Rangasamy, he said that although he had worked out an alliance with the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections nothing had happened in respect of statehood for Puducherry. The Puducherry assembly had also passed several resolutions seeking statehood. But what is the achievement of Rangasamy on the issue, he asked. M Vaiko accused the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of trying to crush the AAP government in Delhi. Full statehood is essential for both Delhi and Puducherry for their development, he said. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the alliance would bring total prohibition in Puducherry. Those who were opposed to PWA were on the job of spreading rumours about disunity in the front. The PWA was not just an alternative front but one with an alternative political ideology for the people of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, said G Ramakrishnan. Criticising the ruling AINRC and the Congress, he said they were wholly responsible for the deterioration of Puducherry. The PWF was a viable alternative and if elected to power, it would bring total prohibition and generate employment opportunities, he said. CPI national secretary D Raja said the front was a historical necessity. He said Rangasamy had not been able to take any steps to reopen the closed textile mills and to procure grants from the centre. The government had also not taken any steps to address issues of unemployment and atrocities against the downtrodden. Statehood for Puducherry is an immediate need and the CPI was in full support of the plea, he said.