CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin unveiled a life-size statue of former PM VP Singh in Chennai on Monday, accompanied by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, but leaders of DMK ally Congress were conspicuous by their absence.

Sources said Congress had no representation at the event ostensibly because the PCC chief was out of town.The Congress harbours resentment against Singh for orchestrating the downfall of Rajiv Gandhi in the 1989 general elections and forming a Janata Dal-led coalition government with Leftist parties and BJPto become the seventh PM.Akhilesh's presence holds significance as his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, then the CM of UP, withdrew support to Singh in 1990, supporting Chandra Shekhar instead.During the unveiling of the statue, which cost Rs 52 lakh and is the first of its kind outside Singh's native UP, Stalin reiterated his call for a nationwide caste census to systematically implement proportionate reservation.

He proposed the formation of a monitoring body comprising MPs from all parties to ensure proper execution of caste-based quota.Stalin asserted that conducting a caste census alongside the overdue population census would be a genuine tribute to Singh who, during his 11-month tenure as PM, implemented the Mandal Commission report for backward castes, triggering significant protests.For his part, Akhilesh expressed gratitude to Stalin for installing the statue, underscoring that it sends a message to leaders in New Delhi that social justice should drive policies.

"SP stands with DMK in its fight for social uplift...

it's a long road ahead and we will fight this together," he said.Stalin paid tribute to the former PM, describing him as the guardian of social justice and a close friend of his father M Karunanidhi.

He highlighted the need for proper implementation of reservations for backward classes, SCs, STs, and minorities nationwide.