As a signal to a possible political realignment at the national level, the Centre is actively considering the demand of present AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government that Legislative Council in the state should not be revived. The decision to convert the state legislature into a bicameral one was cleared by key UPA ally DMK in 2010.
While the AIADMK has been rooting for the repeal of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council Act, 2010, which aims to revive the Legislative Council in the state, the DMK, a partner in the UPA coalition, has been pressing for the revival of Legislative Council in the state.
It is understood that Union law and justice minister Salman Khurshid has met a high-level delegation of AIADMK MPs led by the party leader in Rajya Sabha, Dr V. Maitreyan on the issue recently. Sources stated that the Central government is expected to take a decision on the revival of the Legislative Council in the state soon. Though official sources have refused to comment on the issue, sources stated that the decision may have long-term implications on the political equations in the country.
The legislative council was last abolished in 1986 by the AIADMK government of M.G. Ramacha-ndran. And the present J. Jayalalithaa-led state government, has expressed its intention not to revive the council.
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BJP confident of UP victory
Ghaziabad, Jan. 29: BJP leader Rajnath Singh on Sunday said his party has strong chances of winning the elections in Uttar Pradesh and dismissed the idea of forming a coalition government in case it is unable to muster a majority in the Assembly.
“BJP is in a very good position of winning the election and forming the government in UP and if any situation arises against it, the party will sit in Opposition rather than support any political party for a coalition government,” Mr Rajnath said while addressing a meeting of BJP workers in Vasundhra area today.
He said the BJP had not abandoned the issue of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the party was determined to construct a temple for Hindus.
Mr Singh also promised to provide loans to farmers at a nominal interest of one per cent. — PTI