By TCN News
Chennai: Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) a Muslim-core party with two members in Tamil Nadu Assembly has decided to support Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential election. Mukherjee was preferred over Sangma because of his secular credentials.
MMK asked Mukherjee, once elected, to use his presidential power to commute the death sentence of all those who are awaiting their death sentence including Afzal Guru and three Tamils Perarivalan, Murugan, and Santhan.
The decision to support Mukherjee was taken by a MMK committee consisting of Party’s President J.S. Rifayee, Hyder Ali, M. Tamimun Ansari, P. Abdul Samad, O.U. Rahmatullah, Kunangudi Haniffa and Haroon Rasheed and Prof. M. H. Jawahirullah leader of MMK Legislative Party.
Statement:
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi is of the view that boycotting Presidential election is not a healthy democratic practice. Hence the High Power committe deliberated on its choice of the contesting candidates in the Presidential election.
It is imperative that the person occupying the seat of President of India should not only be well versed in the ethos of the Constitution but should also be a person who will whole heartedly strive for its implementation. Particularly the President should consciously accept the secular credentials of our constitution and should strive to uphold it in all respects.
Since 2004 the activities of Mr. P.A. Sangma who is contesting for the Presidential election with the support of BJP has been in consonance with the anti secular policies and principles of BJP. Mr. Sangma has skillfully changed his colours to satisfy his selfish inclinations. The BJP has been vociferously opposing the Minorities living in the North Eastern States from which Mr. Sangam hails. Yet Mr. Sangma’s decision to contest the Presidential election with the support of BJP has once again proved that he is self centered egoistic personality who has scant respect to protect the interest of his own community.
The Congress supported candidate Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has always been firm to support the secular ethos of the constitution. Although we do not agree with all the actions and stand of Mr. Pranab Mukherjee he has always stood firmly in protecting the secular interests. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee is a Congress leader who has always held Nehruvian secular and socialist credentials to his heart. In this context Manithaneya Makkal Katchi accepts the request of the Congress party and its MLAs will vote for Mr. Pranab Mukherjee in the Presidential election.
Manithaneya Makkal Katchi is hopeful that Mr. Pranab Mukhejee after his resounding victory will perform his duties as President of our country in a befitting manner upholding the highest traditions of the office. Manithaneya Makkal Katchi appeals that during his tenure he should do the needful to ensure that the long pending demand of Muslim community for separate reservation in jobs and employment is delivered and is protected statutorily.
In majority of the Judgements, Indian courts deliver capital punishments which are not based on authentic and sound evidence. Therefore we also appeal to Mr. Pranab Mukerjee that he should take efforts to annul death penalty in India and also annul the death sentence served on all the death penalty convicts including the three Tamils (Perarivalan, Murugan, Santhan) and Afzal Guru.