Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin unveils statue of VP Singh in Chennai Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday unveiled a statue of former Prime Minister VP Singh here. A life-sized statue of Singh has been installed on the Presidency College premises here.
Stalin urged the ruling government at the Centre to take up caste-wise census along with the "delayed" national population census to ensure proportionate reservation for the eligible.
“If Uttar Pradesh was Singh's mother-state, Tamil Nadu was his "father-state".
Stalin justified the installation of Singh’s statue in the academic institution as the former PM deserves to be a part of the history being told to the students.
"His history should be told to the students. That's why we have erected his statue in a college. The DMK, also, considers it as its duty to install Singh's statue," the DMK patriarch said, adding that the statue is in the vicinity of the memorial of late DMK president M Karunanidhi on the Marina Beach.
On his meetings with Singh, Stalin recalled that he was able to meet him twice in his lifetime. He recalled how Singh had appreciated him for the massive procession he had taken in Chennai in 1988. He also marked his appreciation for Singh's family including his wife Sita Kumari, son Ajay Singh, and others, for attending the statue unveiling event.
"I don't wish to call you as V P Singh's family. We are also part of the V P Singh family. We are showing our gratitude to him by installing a statue for Singh, who firmly implemented the Mandal Commission recommendation," Stalin told the Singh’s family.
Singh’s son Ajay thanked Stalin for his gesture.
Along with Stalin, SP leader and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav unveiled the statue of Singh. The former PM's family members were also present on the occasion. They paid floral tributes to a portrait of Singh as part of the ceremony.
The imposing statue, erected at an estimated cost of Rs 52 lakh by the Tamil Nadu government, will stand as a testament to VP Singh's impactful contributions during his tenure as the country's prime minister.
Last April, CM Stalin announced that the TN Government would install a statue for Singh in recognition of his role in implementing the 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in Central government jobs based on the recommendation of the B P Mandal Commission. Singh was also remembered for his pivotal role in addressing the Cauvery river water issue, a matter of livelihood for the people of Tamil Nadu.
The former Prime Minister's legacy includes the establishment of a tribunal to navigate the complexities of the Cauvery water dispute. During his term, V P Singh demonstrated his commitment to social justice by implementing the recommendations of the Second Backward Commission, chaired by PP Mandal. This resulted in the groundbreaking decision to provide 27 percent reservation in government jobs for socially and educationally backward classes.
This distinguished gathering of political leaders from different states added a unique and personal touch to the occasion, emphasizing the cross-regional impact of VP Singh's legacy.
The event not only commemorates VP Singh's political achievements but also underscores the deep connection between the people of Tamil Nadu and the leaders who strongly influenced their lives. The decision to name the domestic and international airports in Chennai after prominent political figures Kamaraj and C N Annadurai respectively further highlights the state's acknowledgment of its influential leaders.
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