Women’s reservation being held hostage by Centre: DMK's Kanimozhi Somu

On the topical issue of the row over the women’s reservation bill, DMK leader Kanimozhi Somu said it has been turned into a “hostage” by linking it with delimitation and accused the Centre of “politically betraying” women.

With Tamil Nadu heading to polls on April 23, campaign rhetoric has intensified across parties. The Federal spoke to Kanimozhi NVN Somu, former Rajya Sabha MP and DMK spokesperson, on the party’s Chennai-focussed manifesto, Centre-state tensions, and key political issues.

What is the purpose of DMK’s special manifesto for Chennai?

We have a very strong manifesto which was already given to the people of Chennai and the previous government of Dravidian model 1.0 version whatever the election manifesto was given in 2021, more than 90 per cent has been executed. The remaining 10 per cent lies with the Union government. Otherwise, we have kept up to our words—be it the Magalir Urimai Thogai, the morning breakfast scheme, free travel in buses, self-help groups, bridges, sewage cleaning, everything we have done.

Now, why exclusively for Chennai? We wanted to do something for Chennai because when our leader MK Stalin started his first career after becoming an MLA, the first major post he held was as mayor of Chennai. He always has a special love and affection for Chennai. He was the one who brought the Singara Chennai project during his tenure.

So, with that affinity, today he has given Chennai Super 6, like Chennai Super Kings in IPL. Six major commitments—enhanced community spaces, smarter mobility, infrastructure completion, managing stray dogs humanely, global centre for transport technologies, and talent gateway infrastructure.

Also read: DMK’s Chennai manifesto | Ezhilan Naganathan explains party’s final-phase pitch

Chennai has always been close to his heart, so he wants to do something exclusively for the city.

Will Centre-State friction delay infrastructure projects like metro again?

See, the last five years there was a lot of opposition from the Centre that the Chennai Metro Rail project should not get completed because that credit would go to DMK. That was political arm-twisting—delayed funds and improper sharing.

Now we have almost completed it and in another one year it will cover entire Chennai. We have fought and got funds and also brought investments from abroad. We have become strong in the last five years under Dravidian model 1.0.

So, we are confident that we will complete it by 2027–28.

How do you respond to PM Modi’s claim that opposition blocked the women’s reservation bill?

This is a very cheeky way of the Prime Minister. He knows it is not right to club women’s reservation with delimitation.

When it was introduced in 2023, DMK under MK Stalin welcomed it and supported 33 percent reservation. We requested the Union government not to link it with delimitation and census. Make it a straight women’s reservation bill and implement it in the 2024 elections.

But they never listened. They think whatever they do is right, like a Hitler regime or British colonial regime.

They were in power for two full terms and now in the third term, they are raising the issue. What were they doing all these years? They could have implemented it earlier.

Also read: PM Modi accuses DMK of stalling delimitation, women’s reservation push

This is a political betrayal—they don’t want to give reservation, they just want to say they will give.

PM Modi says parties like DMK are blocking women’s empowerment. Your response?

He is very good at playing with words. DMK does not have any problem with women rising. We gave 50 per cent share in parental property. We gave 30 per cent reservation in government jobs, 40 per cent in SIPCOT, 50 per cent in police and local bodies.

Let me ask—how many women chief ministers or governors are there in BJP-ruled states? And you talk of Nari Shakti today.

If they are serious, bring a clean women’s reservation bill without delimitation. We will all support it. Right now, women’s reservation is being held hostage.

Is DMK using this issue politically during elections?

We have been consistent on delimitation. It will affect southern states, not just Tamil Nadu. Our Chief Minister MK Stalin convened a meeting two years ago with leaders across India to discuss its impact.

We wrote to the Prime Minister, tweeted, gave statements—no response. So, we protested by burning copies of the bill. We have defeated the delimitation bill, not the women’s reservation bill. It is the Centre’s mistake to club both.

Does DMK’s pro-women stance reflect in representation and tickets?

Definitely. We already have women mayors in Chennai and Tambaram.

Also read: Stalin hails Opposition after Delimitation Bill defeat, calls it ‘turning point’

Many women are contesting elections now. Once we win on May 4, reservation will be further strengthened.

PM Modi says DMK’s welfare schemes increase debt while leaders grow richer. Your response?

We take debt for development, not to pay interest like the Centre. We have increased the state economy from single digit to double digit. We have improved education, women empowerment, infrastructure, and brought global investments.

They talk about our schemes, but what happened to the ₹15 lakh promise? Even Amit Shah called it a ‘jumla’.

We implement welfare schemes on the ground.

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