NEWS;

Commentators contend that political empowerment cannot be fully achieved without social equality.With Dalits getting only a token representation in successive Cabinets in Tamil Nadu, and parties representing the marginalised community not able to play a decisive role in electoral alliances, former VCK MLA D Ravi Kumar has triggered a debate by asking why no Dalit has been able to become a Chief Minister in the State. “I am not saying that the VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan must be announced as the Chief Ministerial candidate, but why a Dalit has not been able to become a Chief Minister (in a State) where the Dalit population is close to 21 per cent, while Bihar (with a Dalit population of 16 per cent) has already had a (Mahadalit) Dalit CM? Political parties and civil society must debate this point,” Mr. Ravi Kumar said in a post on his Facebook page.