SIR issue to be brought up in Lok Sabha winter session: VCK chief

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Saturday said the Opposition was likely to raise the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls during the winter session of the Lok Sabha.

He was speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport and said SIR, carried out in 12 States, had raised suspicion and the debate in the Lok Sabha was likely to disrupt the proceedings of the Lok Sabha. The workers involved in SIR are under tremendous stress and some had even attempted to end their lives, and the situation was worsening, he said, adding that the SIR was likely to delete the names of genuine voters.

The VCK leader said the Government of India should exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government to bring about a political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. He also said his party would also raise the issue of the rejection of the Madurai and Coimbatore Metro Rail project proposals.

Commenting on expelled AIADMK leader K.A. Sengottaiyan joining the TVK, Mr. Thirumavalavan said present circumstances were not conducive for the leader and his decision to join the TVK was his own choice. “The BJP is no longer in a position to retain AIADMK workers within the party, and Mr. Sengottaiyan’s decision to join TVK was a political drama by the BJP,” he added.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.)