[1]Signalling a possible political realignment at the national level, the Centre is actively considering a demand of the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu to not revive the legislative council in the state. UPA constituent DMK had taken a decision in 2010 to make the state legislature bicameral.
AIADMK has been rooting for repeal of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council Act, 2010, enacted by the then DMK government, which had got Parliament and Presidential assent for the legislation.
It is understood that Union law and justice minister Salman Khurshid recently met a delegation of AIADMK MPs led by Dr V. Maitreyan on this issue.
Sources said the Centre was expected to take a decision on revival of the council in Tamil Nadu soon.
While officials were unwilling to comment on the issue, sources said the ultimate decision could have “long-term” political implications.
The TN legislative council was abolished in 1986 by the AIADMK government of M.G. Ramachandran.
His successor to party leadership J. Jayalalithaa, who won her third term as chief minister in 2011, has made it clear she is against revival of the council.
Election Commission of India had issued a notification for polls to the council following the DMK initiative, but the election could not be held as the matter got embroiled in litigation in the Supreme Court and the Madras high court.
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