Why Palaniswami’s Opposition to UCC is About Course Correction, Sustaining Goodwill with Minorities
[ad_1]
Edappadi Ok Palaniswami’s method on issues corresponding to CAA and UCC could depart minorities underwhelmed. Whereas his latest assertion could appear a course correction, it stays to be seen how far he would go on the trail of Jayalalithaa. (PTI File Photograph)
There are two causes behind this growth: It should steadily grow to be obvious as to why Palaniswami is opposing UCC after the problem snowballs to a degree the place political gamers are pressured to take positions. Second, he had taken a stand in 2020 within the aftermath of CAA protests that Opposition events have been indulging in fear-mongering
Tamil Nadu’s AIADMK has turned out to be among the many first NDA allies to precise opposition to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as debate picks over the affect of controversial public legislation on minorities.
Edappadi Ok. Palaniswami advised media that the celebration had made its stand on the UCC clear in its electoral manifesto forward of the 2019 elections. Within the manifesto, the celebration had mentioned: “The AIADMK will urge the Authorities of India to not convey any amendments to the Structure for a Uniform Civil Code that may adversely have an effect on the non secular rights of minorities in India.”
There are two key sides to this growth: Palaniswami’s dedication to opposing the UCC will grow to be obvious solely with time, because it snowballs to a degree the place political gamers are pressured to take positions. Secondly, his ambivalent positions dilute within the aftermath of the Citizen Modification Act (CAA) introduction, when protests erupted throughout states, Palaniswami had taken a stand in early 2020 that the Opposition events have been indulging in fear-mongering and agitations. Months after voting in its favour in Parliament – the celebration drew ire for its function in Invoice’s consummation as legislation – the AIAMDK laid out that the laws was not tenable in its type.
It's on this context that Palaniswami’s opposition to the UCC must be seen. Whereas his celebration has learnt classes for not having seen the tide in 2019 (his celebration sided the NDA whereas the DMK-Congress alliance swept on the hustings), the prolonged affiliation with the BJP could have led to an attritional impact on the goodwill the celebration loved with Muslim voters.
Right here’s the place Palaniswami’s shortcomings vis-à-vis Jayalalithaa grow to be stark in distinction. Although Jayalalithaa maintained cordiality with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, her resounding conflict cry forward of the 2014 elections – “let’s see if it’s Modi or this Woman who will emerge victorious” – nonetheless stays one of many strongest statements to return out of the AIADMK bandwagon in a very long time.
A former AIADMK Parliamentarian mentioned on situations of anonymity that the celebration’s prime brass has turned averse to listening to voices in opposition to the BJP alliance. “The AIADMK affiliation with the BJP has already inflicted harm on its pull with minorities…”
Palaniswami, to his credit score, has displayed sturdy political acumen in heading off inner threats and retaining the celebration collectively by way of all of the tumult that adopted Jayalalithaa’s demise.
Nevertheless, perceptions play a giant function in figuring out electoral outcomes. In that regard, Palaniswami’s method on issues corresponding to CAA and UCC could depart minorities underwhelmed. Whereas his latest assertion could appear a course correction, it stays to be seen how far Palaniswami would go on the trail of Jayalalithaa.
N Sathiyamoorthy, political observer, mentioned: “Towards this, put up Jaya, AIADMK misplaced in 2019 and 2021 due to the domineering affiliation with PM Modi’s hardline Hindutva picture. EPS now must woo again not less than a bit of the minority voters, and opposing UCC is a method.”
[ad_2]
0 comments