BJP backs Surappa over Anna univ IoE issue

BJP backs Surappa over Anna univ IoE issue

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.10.2020

BJP state president L Murugan has thrown his weight behind Anna University vice-chancellor M K Surappa, who has courted controversy by writing directly to the Centre regarding conferring the Institute of Eminence (IoE) status to the university. Murugan said the campaign against IoE status was built on utter lies as it would not affect the reservation system in any manner. Opposition parties were trying to draw political mileage out of the issue by misleading people, Murugan said.

Murugan’s support to Surappa has come at a time when the state government has condemned the vice chancellor for directly communicating with the Centre, terming the act indiscipline. The state government, fearing that the issue would provide fodder to the opposition on the eve of elections, has also said it was opposed to giving IoE status to the university.

The AIADMK’s ally, PMK, has condemned Surappa’s direct correspondence to the Centre. Despite the issue having the potential to cause political damage, the saffron party has chosen to bite the bullet and support Surappa.

Murugan said political parties were interfering in the freedom entitled to the university vice chancellor.

“The perception that special status (IoE) will affect reservation is factually incorrect. It will never affect reservation in any manner. Reservation is a constitutional right. It exists everywhere and it cannot be repealed by giving any special status to an institution,” said Murugan.