TN Upper House plan goes to the shredder

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday thwarted the dream of her predecessor and arch rival DMK president M Karunanidhi to revive the Legislative Council in the State saying that “whatever necessary to undo the revival of the council will be done since it has been the consistent policy of the AIADMK.”“Whenever the DMK comes to power, it attempts to revive the Council and whenever the AIADMK comes to power, it repeals the attempt made by the DMK. The Legislative Council was abolished by our leader MG Ramachandran (in 1986). There is no change in our policy that the Legislative Council is unnecessary and we will do whatever necessary to check its revival”, the Chief Minister said when asked about her government’s stand on the issue.She added with a smile: “Hopefully, this will be the last time we need to make such a change. There will not be any chance for the DMK to make such a change and we will not be troubled to abolish it again.”The government is likely to adopt a resolution in the budget session expected to commence next month, repealing the resolution adopted by the DMK regime for reviving the Upper House.Last year, Karunanidhi expedited revival of the Council and everything was ready except the elections for the purpose. A Bill for the revival was adopted in the Assembly and the same was adopted by Parliament too. Even a spacious hall is ready at the New Secretariat complex and Karunanidhi supervised it often. The Election Commission also completed preparation of the electoral rolls for the Legislative Council.