Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, in a surprising move Tuesday, expressed his appreciation for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and its late leader J. Jayalalithaa for their decision to make the CM the head of the Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University.
This came amid an ongoing conflict between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and Governor R.N. Ravi over the appointment of the CM as the chancellor of various universities in the state.
“The chief minister who rules the state has the right to be the chancellor. In 2013, Jayalalitha, who was the then chief minister, had decided that the chancellor of the university would be the CM. For this, I heartily appreciate her,” Stalin at the second convocation ceremony of Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University.
He added that the university was the only one in the country that is dedicated to music and is fully funded by the state government.
Stalin also hinted at the struggle the state government has been going through to get the right of the CM to be the Chancellor of the state’s various universities instead of the Governor, who currently holds the charge.
“Only if the chief ministers are the chancellors, the universities can grow and develop better. If it is in the hands of others, its purpose will be destroyed,” he said.
At the event, Stalin also announced that the government grant for the university would be increased to Rs 3 crore from Rs 1 crore from the next financial year. He also allotted another Rs 1 crore for setting up a research centre, library and learning management system at the university.
Meanwhile, Padma Bhushan recipient P. Susheela and musicologist B.M. Sundaram were conferred the honorary doctorate from the university.
Stating that there cannot be anyone who doesn’t get mesmerised by Susheela’s voice and calling himself a fan of the veteran’s music, Stalin even sang a few lines of the retro song “Nee Illatha Ulagathile…”
Also Read: In AIADMK-BJP split, an opportunity for OPS — ‘BJP leadership in touch with me for past 3 months’
CM vs Governor
Over three years, close to 10 bills, including two from the previous AIADMK government, related to amendments suggesting to do away with the governor’s power in his capacity as chancellor, were pending before the Governor.
After the DMK government approached the Supreme Court and the apex court calling the situation a “serious concern“, the Governor had returned the bills on 13 November with “I withhold assent” as a remark.
The state immediately called for a special session of the assembly, and on 18 November, repassed the 10 bills and sent them back to the Raj Bhavan.
With regard to the ongoing case in the Supreme Court, Stalin said that the state was hoping for a “good news”.
Stalin also advocated for the transfer of education to the State list (from the Concurrent list), so that states can achieve the goal of “education for all and higher education for all.”
“I am not saying this only for Tamil Nadu, I am saying this for all the states in India, as I often say. Education is one’s rightful property. That education should be available to everyone. There should be no obstacle to it is the principle of our Dravidian model of government,” he said.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
Also Read: Lose-lose situation or golden chance to one-up DMK? How AIADMK-BJP split could affect both parties