10% quota will not affect existing reservation: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the people of Tamil Nadu to be wary of forces, who were creating "an atmosphere of mistrust" on the 10 per cent reservation brought by the Centre for the poor in the general category.

Addressing a rally, after laying the foundation stone of the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Madurai, PM Modi said that the 10 per cent reservation for the poor would not impact the existing reservation for the Dalits, tribals and other backward communities. He said that any political concept that opposes the poor cannot benefit anyone. In Tamil Nadu, both the ruling AIADMK and opposition party DMK has opposed the Centre's 10 per cent reservation decision.

PM Modi asserted that his government is taking effective steps to rid the country of corruption and nepotism. "Any person who has cheated or looted the country shall be brought to justice. This is regardless of whether he is in India or abroad," he said.

While targeting the Grand Alliance of opposition parties comprising Congress and DMK, PM Modi said that the Centre's proactive efforts against graft has created a stir from Chennai to Delhi. "All those who made deals in government contracts, defence deals and welfare schemes are now facing the music. That is why they are all coming together. These parties are uniting to remove the 'watchman'," he said.

Stressing that opposition parties were uniting out of fear and negativity, PM Modi said he was not afraid of them.

"I will stand firmly with the poor. I call upon the people of Madurai and the youth of Tamil Nadu to reject these forces of negativity," he said.

The PM dedicated most of his speech to explain projects and welfare schemes taken up in the state by his government. The PM did not name any political party in his 21-minute speech, but he paid homage to the late chief minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa. Many feel this is a clear indication of the impending alliance for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls.

In an attempt to woo Dalit voters in southern Tamil Nadu, PM Modi said he was fully sensitive to the demands of Devendrakula Vellalar community, which has been demanding exclusion from the Scheduled Caste (SC) list. Stating that there is significant progress with regards to their demand, he said, "I assure the community that justice will be done. This is a subject about social harmony and we are committed to justice for all," the PM said.

PROMISES

PM promised to stand firmly with the poor. He called upon people of Madurai to reject forces of negativity