http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=509457
Dalit Panthers to open doors for all communities CHENNAI, OCT 7 (PTI) Inspired by the successful formula of BSP chief Mayawati who brought other castes and Dalits under one umbrella to win the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Dalit Panthers of India has decided to open its doors for all communities. DPI, an ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, has already registered its name with the Election Commission as 'Vidulai Chiruthigal' (Liberation Panthers), in a move to accommodate other communities in the party. All the units of the party were dissolved at a meeting here on October two and a high-level committee, headed by its leader Thol Thirumavalavan, was appointed. Though Thirumavalavan had claimed that it was done to abide by the regulations of EC, the move was considered significant, as it could be to accommodate members from all communities as office-bearers. "We are no more a Dalit party. We will enroll members from all communities and organisational polls will be conducted within next three months", he had said. "Mayavati's experiment of bringing Dalits, religious minorities and Brahmins under one umbrella to win the polls has inspired us", he said. Thirumavalavan, who has also taken a new 'avataar' as a film actor, feels that it would also help his party to widen its vote bank.
