JVP moots 13A as temporary solution to Tamil national question

• Former MP Chandrasegar says JVP aims to ensure unity rather than division while addressing demands for autonomy in North and East
• Claims concepts of autonomy and self-determination emerged from Marxist ideologies but have now been exploited by capitalists
• Says new constitution enacted when NPP comes to power will encompass the demands and aspirations of Tamil people

By Parameswaran Wigneshwaran

The leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday expressed the party’s willingness to accept the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Council system as a temporary solution for the Tamil national question.

Speaking to the Daily FT, former JVP MP Ramalingam Chandrasegar said it would be part of a broader plan to completely overhaul the current political system when the JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) party comes into power.

“JVP’s approach aims to ensure the unity of the country rather than division while addressing the demands for autonomy in the North-East region,” he said adding that the concepts of autonomy and self-determination initially emerged from Marxist ideologies but have now been exploited by capitalist nations as a means to exert control over other countries.

He further clarified that once the NPP comes to power and a new constitution is drafted, the longstanding issues faced by the Tamil people will be addressed comprehensively. “The new constitution will encompass the demands and aspirations of the Tamil people, providing a sustainable solution. However, until that time, the JVP has made the decision to accept 13A and the Provincial Council systems as a temporary measure,” he noted.