Chennai: DMK president M K Stalin has written to Justice Kurian Joseph, head of the high-level committee on Union-state relations constituted by the previous DMK govt, and its members Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M Naganathan, thanking them for their work on Monday. He also expressed his disappointment over TVK govt’s decision to disband the committee.In the letter, Stalin said TVK govt has damaged Tamil Nadu’s reputation as “India’s leading voice for state rights” by disbanding the panel “for petty politics”. No one can find fault with the remarkable work of Justice Kurian Joseph, Ashok Vardhan Shetty and professor M Naganathan, nor can anyone else replace them and complete the work they began, he said.Stalin said the committee has produced a document that will remain an important reference for constitutional scholars, policy makers, political leaders and students of federalism for generations. He said the first part of the panel’s report demonstrated its significance beyond Tamil Nadu.“To interrupt such an undertaking is akin to replacing an experienced surgical team in the middle of a delicate operation merely because the administration of the hospital changed,” he said.Stalin said TVK govt realised the “grave mistake” it had made by dismantling the panel.
