All-party meet passes resolution rejecting EWS quota, to file review petition against apex court verdict

The AIADMK and BJP boycotted meeting; the Congress has supported the Supreme Court verdict; T.N. Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said the State would not implement the EWS reservation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday chaired an all-party meeting of representatives of legislatives parties, at which a resolution was passed, rejecting the 103rd Constitution Amendment providing for a 10% quota for economically weaker sections (EWS) of the society. As per the resolution, the parties have also decided to file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict upholding the validity of the Constitutional amendment.

The AIADMK and the BJP boycotted the meeting. Former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam’s faction also did not take part in the meeting.

Representatives from the Congress, PMK, MDMK, VCK, CPM, CPI, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi and The Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi were present.

The EWS reservation is contrary to the social justice principle prescribed in the Constitution and also against the various judgements of the Supreme Court and is also discriminatory against the poor, the resolution stated. It also called for the Tamil Nadu government to put forth its argument strongly.

Earlier, addressing the all-party meeting, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said if the amendment was accepted, it would destroy the principle of social justice. “They would remove the reference ‘socially and educationally backward’ and add ‘economically’ in everything. That is why we strongly opposed the amendment in the Parliament and voted against it, Mr. Stalin said.

The CM also pointed out that the Supreme Court has, several times, held that reservation is not a poverty alleviation scheme and in 1992, a nine-member Constitutional bench of the Supreme Court had ruled that reservation based on economic considerations was invalid. Mr. Stalin said reservation should be given only to ‘socially and educationally backward’ persons, as per the provisions of the Constitution. Those who said that because of reservation skills and qualifications have been lost, are now backing the EWS reservation. It is against social justice and Constitutional provisions, he said.