Debate on bifurcation of Tamil Nadu to carve out “Kongu Nadu Region” has emerged because of clash of terminologies after DMK government addressed Centre as ‘Union government’ in the spirit of constructive collaboration and state autonomy.
Highlights
- For DMK, batting for state autonomy is a way to keep overreach by Centre in check.
- From the times of first DMK chief minister, CN Annadurai to those of Kalaignar Karunanidhi, DMK has stood in way of Central governments who have tried to take away state rights or take decisions in violation of spirit of cooperative federalism.
- However, as per health experts, bifurcation debate is being used to distract people from larger issue of state’s preparedness for imminent third wave.
About Kongu Nadu
Kongu Nadu is a commonly used name for part of the western Tamil Nadu region. It is neither a place with a PIN code nor a name given formally to any region. This place is referred in Tamil literature. to as one among five regions of ancient Tamil Nadu. Sangam literature also mentions of ‘Kongu Nadu’ in as a separate territory. In present day Tamil Nadu, this term is informally used to refer a region comprising of districts of Nilgiris, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Karur, Erode, Namakkal and Salem besides, Oddanchatram & Vedasandur in Dindigul district and Pappireddipatti in district of Dharmapuri.
How this name was derived?
Name ‘Kongu Nadu’ is derived from Kongu Vellala Gounder that is an OBC community living across these districts.
Significance of the region
Kongu Nadu region comprises of prominent businesses and industrial hubs at Salem, Tirupur, Namakkal, and Coimbatore. This area is considered an AIADMK stronghold, and where BJP’s influence is limited & concentrated.