Sanathanam must be abolished: LoP Udhayanidhi

CHENNAI: Leader of Opposition and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday said Sanathanam, which he described as a tool used to divide people, must be abolished, while speaking in the Assembly during the felicitation of the newly elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Recalling that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had met former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin, Udhayanidhi said the expectation was that such political magnanimity would continue in the functioning of the House.

“Our party, the DMK, acts as an Opposition party and not an opposite party,” he said, adding that the Assembly had a prestigious history and that Tamil Nadu had progressed economically and culturally because of the debates, decisions and resolutions adopted in the House.

Appealing to the newly elected Speaker, Udhayanidhi urged him to permit healthy debates and uphold democratic values in the Assembly.

“Though we are seated on the treasury and Opposition benches, we will stand on the same line when it comes to the growth of the State. This government should belong to all people, including those who did not vote for the ruling party,” he said.

Referring to the Assembly election outcome, he said the people of Tamil Nadu had delivered a split verdict, resulting in equal strength for the treasury and Opposition benches. He termed it a unique feature of the present Assembly.

Recalling the rendition of the Vande Mataram song during the swearing-in ceremony, Udhayanidhi alleged that Tamil Thai Vazhthu was being relegated to third place. “Even in BJP-ruled West Bengal, Vande Mataram was not played during the swearing-in ceremony,” he said.

He also referred to the Governor’s forthcoming address in the Assembly and urged the government to ensure that such incidents were not repeated. “We, the DMK, did not allow it,” he said.

Stressing the need to protect the State’s traditions and rights with vigilance, Udhayanidhi reiterated that “Sanathanam, which divides people, must be abolished.”