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Paswan's Dalit Sena will back third front in TN

The Tamil Nadu Dalit Sena today decided to support the TMC-PT-led 'third front' in the Lok Sabha elections "as it has enlisted the support of various Dalit outfits and other oppressed communities fighting for social justice".

The Dalit Sena is led by Janata Dal-United leader and former Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. P Chandragesan, who is heading the state unit, in a statement said a resolution passed at the Sena's special executive committee meeting held at Tiruchirapalli on Saturday last said Dalits had been oppressed under the successive governments led by the Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu, and condemned the recent police excesses on agitating Manjolai tea estate workers in Tirunelveli following which 17 protestors were drowned in the Tamarabarani river.

The Sena, however, decided not to support the Janata Dal-Secular candidates who figured in the TMC-PT-led front. The Sena also demanded an "open apology" from Union ministers Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy and Rangarajan Kumaramangalam for criticising the office of the President.

The Sena said it would release a "white paper" on the status of filling of posts meant for Dalits in the second week of September if the state government fails to do so.

UNI

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