Chennai: A day after opposition and treasury benches argued over contribution of Dravidian parties to dalit welfare, a war of words erupted in Tamil Nadu assembly on Friday between minorities welfare minister A M Shahjahan and DMK MLA M Thamimun Ansari over the contribution of DMK and AIADMK to minority welfare. Ansari accused TVK govt of projecting its schemes as ‘unprecedented’ while glossing over the initiatives of successive DMK and AIADMK govts.The exchange began during the debate on demand for grants of minorities welfare department when Shahjahan said 20 initiatives for minorities were announced by TVK govt. These announcements included establishing a college for women in Chennai, community halls in five districts, and extending financial aid for Muslim girl students to pursue higher studies.Shahjahan also lauded chief minister C Joseph Vijay for including Indian Union Muslim League in the cabinet. Recalling Vijay’s visit to IUML office, he said IUML had played a pivotal role in the formation of several govts in the past, but Vijay was the first chief minister to visit its office. He said the govt would uphold secularism.Shahjahan also made it a point to thank DMK for campaigning for IUML’s victory. But his statement that TVK govt announced several new schemes for the welfare of minorities drew objections from DMK legislators.Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M H Jawahirullah and Ansari intervened to list welfare schemes and development projects implemented by previous govts. They cited the 3.5% reservation for Muslims introduced by Karunanidhi-led DMK govt. AIADMK too had implemented several schemes for minorities, they said.Ansari said ignoring the contribution of the Dravidian parties to the socio-economic development of minorities would amount to being “ungrateful.”The remark drew a sharp retort from Shahjahan, saying Ansari should not speak about “gratefulness”. DMK chief whip E V Velu, former ministers K N Nehru and other legislators objected to Shahjahan’s remarks. With the exchange threatening to escalate, speaker intervened and brought the House back to order.
