DMK working president M. K. Stalin on Friday said he would welcome it if a situation arose for the southern States to come together and make a demand for ‘Dravida Nadu’.

At a press conference addressed by Mr. Stalin in Erode, a journalist said an idea was gaining ground that the southern States should come together to demand Dravida Nadu. To this Mr. Stalin responded, “If it (such a situation) comes, it would be welcome. We hope that such a situation arises.”

The DMK had given up secessionism some 55 years ago in the wake of the Indo-China war in 1962.

‘Within Constitution’

Asked to comment on Mr. Stalin’s statement, K. Thirunavukkarasu, historian of the Dravidian movement, said, “Theoretically what Mr. Stalin said is possible. Dravida Nadu comprising the five southern States and Union Territory of Puducherry can be achieved. Mr. Stalin has only reiterated what has been said in rule-2 of the DMK (constitution).” Annadurai had suggested a Dravidian union within the Constitution. He wanted reshaping of the Constitution so that it became federal and full autonomy was achieved.

P. Maniarasan, leader of Tamil Desiya Periyakkam, however dismisses Mr. Stalin’s statement, saying that it was a ploy to quell the emergence of Tamil nationalism. “If he (Mr. Stalin) is really serious about creating Dravida Nadu, let him visit the neighbouring States and muster support. Is he ready to include the proposal in the election manifesto of his party? Is he ready to convene a special general council of the DMK to propagate the idea,” he asked.

Mr. Maniarasan said the late EVK Sampath made a clear explanation when he gave up the idea of Dravida Nadu and advocated Tamil Nationalism. “We spoke in praise of Tamil kings like Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola even when we campaigned for Dravida Nadu. But we never gave any credit to Krishna Devaraya and other kings,” Mr. Maniarasan quoted Sampath as saying.