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Anna University Sexual Assault Case: BJP Leader Says Will Whip Himself in Shame

December 27, 2024, 7:18 pm

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K. Annamalai on Thursday announced that he would observe a 48-day fast, whip himself, and remain barefoot in protest against the ruling DMK government over the alleged sexual assault of a student at a university in Chennai.

Speaking at a press conference, Annamalai removed his shoe and declared, “From tomorrow onwards, until the DMK is removed from power, I will not wear any footwear. From tomorrow, K. Annamalai will protest against the government’s handling of the Anna University student’s sexual harassment case.”

“Tomorrow, I will hold a protest in front of my house, where I will whip myself six times. Starting tomorrow, I will fast for 48 days and appeal to the six-armed Murugan. Tomorrow, a protest will be held in front of the house of every BJP member. From tomorrow, until the DMK is removed from power, I will not wear sandals. There must be an end to this,” said Annamalai.

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan and other party cadres were detained by the Tamil Nadu Police on Thursday during protests organised by the BJP and AIADMK against the alleged sexual assault of a female student on the Anna University campus in Chennai.

Soundararajan, who led the BJP’s protest, accused the DMK-led state government of attempting to silence dissent, claiming, “This is atrocious. They want to crush our voice.” She added that police had detained her and several party workers during the protest.

The incident involved a second-year student of Anna University who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man on the university campus on Monday night. One person has been arrested in connection with the case.

Earlier, Tamilisai Soundararajan and other BJP members staged a demonstration condemning the DMK government. Police also detained workers of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) as they staged a protest against the ruling government over the incident.

On Wednesday, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Founder-President Thol. Thirumavalavan called for swift action in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party chief Vijay described the incident as “deeply shocking and painful,” urging the Tamil Nadu government to take swift legal action against the perpetrator.

“Although the police have informed that the individual who committed the assault has been arrested, I urge the Tamil Nadu government to ensure swift legal action and appropriate punishment. If anyone else is involved in this heinous crime, they should also be held accountable promptly,” Vijay said in a post on X.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai also criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led government, alleging a surge in crimes against women.

Speaking to reporters, Annamalai claimed that two unidentified individuals entered the campus and assaulted the student.

“Crimes against women are at an all-time high. This incident is not only shocking but has left us paralysed for a moment. One of the safest places, the sprawling Anna University campus, witnessed this horrific crime. A girl and boy were on campus when two unknown individuals entered, beat up the boy, and sexually assaulted the girl, leaving her injured. The fact that the CCTVs were not functioning highlights the current state of law and order in Tamil Nadu. We hope the police will be given the freedom to act. With all MLAs and MPs from DMK in Chennai, is this a city that safeguards its people? I hope and pray the Tamil Nadu government takes appropriate action,” he said.

CM Stalin Criticizes Hindi Month Celebration at Doordarshan Chennai

October 19, 2024, 6:54 am

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin criticized the Hindi Month celebration at Doordarshan Chennai, which sparked political controversy on Friday. Stalin expressed strong discontent with the event and later took aim at Governor RN Ravi after performers at the function missed a reference to ‘Dravida’ in Tamil Nadu’s state anthem.

Stalin’s Condemnation of Hindi Month Event

In a post on X, Stalin voiced his objection to the celebration, stating, “I strongly condemn the celebration of Hindi month valedictory function along with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Chennai Doordarshan.” He argued that the Indian Constitution does not grant national language status to any language, highlighting that India is a multilingual nation. According to Stalin, celebrating Hindi Month in non-Hindi-speaking states could be seen as an effort to undermine other regional languages.

Stalin further suggested that instead of holding Hindi-oriented events, states should be encouraged to celebrate their local language months. He even wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the avoidance of Hindi language programs in non-Hindi-speaking states, reiterating that Hindi and English are designated only for official purposes, not as a national language.

Missing Dravidian Reference in State Anthem Sparks Outrage

Later in the day, controversy escalated when performers omitted a line from Tamil Nadu’s state anthem, specifically the reference to “Dravida,” which translates to “the great Dravidian nation.” Stalin accused Governor Ravi, who was present at the event, of deliberately disrespecting Tamil Nadu and its people’s sentiments. He called the omission a “deliberate insult” and demanded that the central government immediately “recall” the governor.

Stalin further criticized the omission, asking, “Will the governor, suffering from Dravidian allergy, ask the people to sing the national anthem leaving out Dravida?”

Doordarshan Issues Apology

In response, Doordarshan Chennai apologized for the mistake, explaining that the omission was accidental due to a distraction. They clarified that there was no intention to disrespect Tamil or the state anthem.

Political Reactions and Protests

The omission drew sharp criticism from various political figures, including AIADMK leader and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, who termed it a “blunder.”

The incident also led to protests by members of the DMK’s youth wing outside the Doordarshan Chennai office, as tensions continued to rise over the perceived imposition of Hindi in Tamil Nadu.

Governor Ravi’s Response

Governor RN Ravi responded to Stalin’s remarks, calling them “regrettable” and accusing the chief minister of making a “racist remark” against him. Ravi emphasized his commitment to spreading Tamil across other states, pointing out his recent efforts to establish a Tamil diploma course at Gauhati University in Assam.

Ravi also criticized the chief minister for making baseless allegations, saying, “Making racist remarks and alleging incorrect imputations against the governor is unfortunately cheap and lowers the dignity of the high constitutional office of the chief minister.”

The Raj Bhavan issued a statement clarifying that the governor had no role in the omission of the line during the anthem performance, stating that he merely participated in the program.

DMK’s Longstanding Concerns on Language Imposition

This controversy is part of a broader issue, as the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has repeatedly accused the central government and Governor Ravi of attempting to impose Hindi at the expense of regional languages. However, the Union government has consistently rejected these allegations, insisting that its policies aim to support all Indian languages equally.

Exit Poll 2024: Predict Strong Victory For DMK Alliance In Tamil Nadu

June 2, 2024, 12:36 pm

Exit polls announced on Saturday evening forecast a decisive victory for the DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu, although not a complete sweep as some India bloc leaders had claimed. The polls also suggest that the BJP is making notable inroads in the state, with the Dravidian major AIADMK potentially being relegated to the third position.

Most exit polls project that the DMK alliance will secure 33-36 Lok Sabha seats, AIADMK will win 0-2 seats, and the BJP bloc will capture 1-3 seats. India Today-Axis My India and CNN-News18 exit polls forecast the BJP winning 1-3 seats, with other media outlets offering similar predictions. Pradeep Gupta, chairman of Axis My India, highlighted the BJP’s potential significant inroads in the southern constituencies of Tirunelveli and Tenkasi.

DMK Dismisses BJP Prospects

The DMK has rejected the exit poll results, particularly the forecast for Tamil Nadu. India bloc workers circulated previous election exit poll surveys on social media to underscore past inaccuracies, alleging that national media houses had succumbed to BJP pressure and produced biased predictions.

“The exit polls are entirely hypothetical. From my field experience, I see no scope for the saffron party in the state,” DMK spokesperson J Constantine Ravindran told TNIE. He added that only leaders who switched from Dravidian parties to the BJP, such as Nainar Nagendran, and those like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran, might garner significant votes, but none are expected to win.

A senior DMK leader, speaking anonymously, recalled that in the 2019 election, some surveys predicted that the AIADMK-led alliance would win 15-20 seats, but they secured only one.

BJP’s Rising Optimism

The exit poll forecasts have bolstered the confidence of the BJP, with party members anticipating a positive outcome in Tamil Nadu that could surprise the Dravidian majors. Following the exit poll predictions, BJP cadres in the state celebrated, sharing screenshots of the results and congratulating each other.

BJP’s state vice-president Narayanan Thirupathy commented on the exit poll outcome, telling TNIE, “It is their opinion, but we expect to win 8-12 seats, and our vote share will increase significantly compared to previous elections.” He mentioned potential victories in constituencies such as Tiruchy, Coimbatore, Kanniyakumari, Theni, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Vellore, and Dharmapuri.

Despite multiple attempts by TNIE, AIADMK leaders were unavailable for comment on the exit poll results.

Background and Context

Polling for the 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 assembly seats in Sikkim was conducted on April 19, alongside the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 41 seats in Arunachal Pradesh, while the SKM secured 17 seats in Sikkim. The exit polls predict that both ruling parties will retain power in their respective states.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: A Glimpse of the States and UTs Heading to Polls in the First Phase

April 18, 2024, 7:41 pm

The ongoing massive democratic process in India involves voters commencing their participation on Friday to select 543 Members of Parliament in a seven-phase election, remarkable for its scale and logistics, encompassing every voter across the vast and diverse country.

The first phase, occurring tomorrow, will cover 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories. This year’s Lok Sabha election, taking place from April 19 to June 1, marks the second-longest polling period in India’s electoral history. The previous general elections in 2019 were also conducted in seven phases. The voting process will extend to April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, with the election results announced on June 4.

Additionally, new assemblies will be elected in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Various political parties have vigorously campaigned, with the BJP-led NDA aiming for a third consecutive term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, while the opposition INDIA bloc seeks to remove the BJP-led alliance from power. Rigorous security measures have been implemented by the Election Commission.

The first phase covers seats in multiple states and union territories, with Bihar, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh witnessing voting across all seven phases starting April 19. However, polling will occur in a single phase on April 19 in some regions such as Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Meghalaya, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The election schedule was announced by the Election Commission of India on March 16, which also includes bypolls to 26 assembly constituencies alongside the Lok Sabha and four state assembly polls. Bypolls will be held in the Ramnagar seat in Tripura and the Vilavancode seat in Tamil Nadu on April 19. The first phase boasts the highest number of parliamentary constituencies among all phases.

Approximately 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors are eligible to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, according to the Election Commission’s estimates.

Key contenders and constituencies in the Phase 1 of Lok Sabha elections:

In Uttar Pradesh, voting will take place in eight out of the total 80 parliamentary constituencies on April 19.

1. Pilibhit: Jitin Prasada (BJP) faces Bhagwant Saran Gangwar (SP) and Anis Ahmed Khan (BSP).
2. Saharanpur: Raghav Lakhanpal (BJP) is pitted against Majid Ali (BSP) and Imran Masood (Congress).
3. Kairana: Pradeep Kumar (BJP) faces Sripal Singh (BSP) and Iqra Hasan (SP).
4. Muzaffarnagar: Sanjeev Balyan (BJP) is contesting against Harindra Malik (SP) and Dara Singh Prajapati (BSP).
5. Rampur: Ghanshyam Lodhi (BJP) faces Zeeshan Khan (BSP).
6. Moradabad: Sarvesh Singh (BJP) versus Mohd. Irfan Saifi (BSP).
7. Bijnor: Chandan Chauhan (RLD) is contesting against Vijendra Singh (BSP) and Yashvir Singh (SP).
8. Nagina: Om Kumar (BJP) faces Surendra Pal Singh (BSP), Manoj Kumar (SP), and Chandra Shekhar Azad (Azad Samaj Party).

Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats and voting will take place in five constituencies tomorrow.

1. Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (BJP) is pitted against Congress leader Vikas Thakare.
2. Chandrapur: Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP) is contesting against Pratibha Dhanorkar (Congress).
3. Bhandara-Gondia: Sitting MP Sunil Mendhe (BJP) faces Dr. Prashant Patole (Congress).
4. Gadchiroli-Chimur: Ashok Nete (BJP) is facing Namdev Kirsan (Congress) and Hitesh Pandurang Madavi (VBA).

West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha constituencies and voting will take place in three seats tomorrow.

1. Cooch Behar: Incumbent MP Nishith Pramanik (BJP) is pitted against Jagadish Chandra Burma Basunia (TMC) and Pia Roy Chowdhury (Congress).
2. Alipurduars: Manoj Tigga (BJP) is in the fray against Prakash Chik Baraik (TMC).
3. Jalpaiguri: Jayanta Kumar Roy (BJP) is contesting against Nirmal Chandra Roy (TMC) and Debraj Barman (CPI-M).

All 39 seats of Tamil Nadu and one seat of Puducherry will go in for polls tomorrow. Some of the key seats include

1. Coimbatore: State BJP chief K Annamalai is in fray against Ganapathy P Rajkumar (DMK) and Singai Ramachandran (AIADMK).
2. Thoothukudi: Kanimozhi (DMK) is contesting against R Sivasami Velumani (AIADMK).
3. Chennai South: BJP has fielded former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. She is facing DMK leader and incumbent MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian. AIADMK has fielded Jayavardhan.
4. Krishnagiri: Vidhya Rani, the daughter of slain sandalwood smuggler Veerappan is contesting from Krishnagiri constituency. She has been fielded by Naam Tamilar Katchi and will face C Narasimhan (BJP) and K Gopinath (Congress).
5. Chennai Central: Dayanidhi Maran (DMK) is facing Vinoj P Selvam (BJP) and B Parthasarathy (DMDK).
6. Nilgiris: A Raja (DMK) is contesting against Union Minister and BJP leader L Murugan. AIADMK has given a ticket to Lokesh Tamilselvan.
7. Sivaganga: Devanathan Yadav (BJP) is in the fray against Congress sitting MP Karti Chidambaram and A Xavier (AIADMK).

In Assam, five out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats will undergo elections in the initial phase:

1. Dibrugarh: Sarbananda Sonowal (BJP) will compete against Lurinjyoti Gogoi (INDIA bloc).
2. Jorhat: Topon Kumar Gogoi (BJP) is challenging Gaurav Gogoi (Congress).
3. Kaziranga: Kamakhya Prasad Tasa (BJP) is facing Roselina Tirkey (Congress).
4. Lakhimpur: Pradan Baruah (BJP) is against Uday Shankar Hazarika (Congress).
5. Sonitpur: Ranjit Dutta (BJP) is contesting against Premlal Ganju.

In Bihar, four out of 40 Lok Sabha constituencies will go to the polls tomorrow:

1. Aurangabad: Sushil Kumar Singh (BJP) versus Abhay Kushwaha (RJD).
2. Gaya: Kumar Sarvjeet (RJD) versus Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM).
3. Jamui: Archana Kumari (RJD) versus Arun Bharti (LJP-Ram Vilas).
4. Nawada: Shrawan Kumar (RJD) versus Vivek Thakur (BJP).

In Madhya Pradesh, six out of the state’s 29 Lok Sabha seats will see polling tomorrow:

1. Chhindwara: Nakul Nath (Congress) versus Vivek Bunty Sahu (BJP).
2. Balaghat: Bharti Pardhi (BJP) versus Samrat Saraswat (Congress).
3. Jabalpur: Ashish Dubey (BJP) versus Dinesh Yadav (Congress).
4. Mandla: Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP) versus Omkar Singh Markam (Congress).
5. Shahdol: Himadri Singh (BJP) versus Phunde Lal Singh Marko (Congress).
6. Sidhi: Rajesh Mishra (BJP) versus Kamaleshwar Patel (Congress).

In Uttarakhand, all five Lok Sabha seats will have polling tomorrow:

1. Haridwar: Virendra Rawat (Congress) versus Trivendra Singh Rawat (BJP).
2. Pauri Garhwal: Ganesh Godiyal (Congress) versus Anil Baluni (BJP).
3. Tehri Garhwal: Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah versus Jot Singh Gunsola (Congress).
4. Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar: Ajay Bhatt (BJP) versus Prakash Joshi (Congress).
5. Almora: Ajay Tamta versus Pradeep Tamta (Congress).

Voting in 12 out of the 25 constituencies of Rajasthan will occur in the first phase tomorrow. Key contests include:

1. Bikaner: Arjun Ram Meghwal (BJP) versus Madan Gopal Meghwal (Congress).
2. Churu: Devendra Jhajharia (BJP) versus Rahul Kaswan (Congress).
3. Nagaur: Jyoti Mirdha versus Hanuman Beniwal (RLP).
4. Sikar: Swami Sumedhanand versus Amra Ram (CPI(M)).
5. Jhunjhunu: Shubhkaran Choudhary versus Brijendra Singh Ola (Congress).

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, incumbent MP Kuldeep Rai Sharma (Congress) faces Bishnu Pada Ray (BJP).

Arunachal Pradesh’s two constituencies will have polling in the first phase:

1. Arunachal Pradesh West: Nabam Tuki (Congress) versus Kiren Rijiju (BJP).
2. Arunachal Pradesh East: Bosiram Siram (Congress) versus Tapir Gao (BJP).

In Chhattisgarh, which has 11 Lok Sabha seats, voting will take place in the first phase in the Naxal-affected seat of Bastar where Kawasi Lakhma (Congress) is against Mahesh Kashyap (BJP).

In Manipur, elections will take place twice in one constituency. Voters in Outer Manipur will cast their votes over two days due to the special situation owing to ethnic violence witnessed by the state.

While voting will take place in Inner Manipur constituency on April 19 (phase 1), outer Manipur will vote on two dates – April 19 (phase 1) and April 26 (phase 2).

Of the two Lok Sabha seats in Tripura, the constituency of Tripura (West), which includes the state capital of Agartala, will go to the polls tomorrow. BJP nominee Biplab Kumar Deb is contesting against state Congress chief Ashish Kumar Saha.

AIADMK releases final list of 16 candidates for Lok Sabha elections

March 21, 2024, 12:47 pm

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) revealed its final roster of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on Thursday. AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami emphasized the party’s resilience, stating, “For AIADMK there is no pressure. When MGR started the party and after MGR’s demise how Jayalalitha fought. Our party has faced everything. We will face everything legally.”

In the AIADMK lineup, notable candidates include Prem Kumar for Sriperumbudur, S Pasupathi for Vellore, R Ashokan for Dharmapuri, M Kaliyaperumal for Tiruvannamalai, and Karthikeyan for Pollachi. Additionally, the party’s first list included names like P Karuppaya for Trichy, Chandra Mohan for Perambalur, and Panaguri A Xavier Dhas for Sivangangai.

Moreover, AIADMK and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) have reached a seat-sharing agreement, with AIADMK contesting 32 seats, DMDMK 5, SDPI 1, and Puthiya Tamilagam 1 from the Tenkasi constituency.

The election is set for April 19 in Tamil Nadu, with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam-led Secular Progressive Alliance emerging victorious in the 2019 elections. The polling for the Lok Sabha elections will span seven phases across the nation, beginning on April 19 and concluding on June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: After announcing ties up with BJP; 10 seats allotted for PMK in Tamil Nadu

March 19, 2024, 9:35 am

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) allocated 10 seats for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) in Tamil Nadu on March 19, 2024. The agreement was finalized during a meeting held at the residence of PMK founder S. Ramadoss in Thailapuram, Villupuram district, with Ramadoss and BJP State president K. Annamalai signing the accord.

Prior to the signing ceremony, leaders from both parties engaged in discussions in the early morning session, with PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss and former State president of BJP and Union Minister of State, L. Murugan, present as witnesses.

The PMK had previously expressed its intention to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. Insider sources within the PMK disclosed that this decision was reached during a meeting chaired by the party’s founder, S. Ramadoss, and its president, Anbumani Ramadoss. However, it’s important to note that a majority of party officials and members reportedly favored forming an alliance with the AIADMK. Dr. Anbumani is scheduled to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public gathering in Salem on March 19.

The PMK’s announcement, a party with significant influence among the Vanniyar community, coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Coimbatore, sending a clear message to the AIADMK that the PMK was not inclined to forge electoral alliances with the prominent Dravidian party. AIADMK’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who had previously withdrawn from the NDA, has been actively pursuing alliances with both the PMK and the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).

Electoral Bonds Data: Top 10 Donors; Future Gaming and Hotel Services purchased Rs 1,368 cr worth electoral bonds

March 15, 2024, 9:08 am

The Election Commission of India complied with the Supreme Court’s directive by publishing electoral bonds data on its official website on March 14. The data reveals that donors are identified solely by the names of companies or individuals.

According to the released data, 1,260 companies and individuals collectively purchased electoral bonds amounting to ₹12,769 crore. Among them, the top 20 companies contributed ₹5,945 crore, which represents nearly half of the total donations made through electoral bonds.

The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to transparency and disclosure, aligning with the stance taken by the Supreme Court, as reflected in its proceedings and orders.

These are Top 10 leading contributors to political parties:

Future Gaming and Hotel Services PR – ₹ 1,368 crore
Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd – ₹ 966 crore
Qwik Supply Chain Pvt Ltd – ₹ 410 crore
Vedanta Ltd – ₹ 400 crore
Haldia Energy Ltd – ₹ 377 crore
Bharti Group – ₹ 247 crore
Essel Mining & Industries Ltd – ₹ 224 crore
Western UP Power Transmission Company Ltd – ₹ 220 crore
Keventer Foodpark Infra Ltd – ₹ 195 crore
Madanlal Ltd – ₹ 185 crore

Future Gaming and Hotel Services, led by lottery magnate Santiago Martin, emerged as the primary purchaser of electoral bonds, amounting to Rs 1,368, according to data released by the Election Commission of India. Future Gaming, based in Coimbatore, is recognized as one of India’s largest lottery companies, founded by Santiago Martin.

Megha Engineering Infrastructure Limited contributed Rs 966 crores, while Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited, Haldia Energy Limited, Vedanta Limited, and Bharti Airtel Limited made significant donations as well.

Moreover, there are the list of top 10 leading individuals

Major political parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, AIADMK, Trinamool Congress, and others have benefited from these contributions. The Election Commission provided details of electoral bond transactions, obtained from the State Bank of India, revealing Future Gaming and Hotel Services and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd as leading donors.

The Commission emphasized its commitment to transparency, citing Supreme Court directives, and detailed the purchase and encashment of electoral bonds. SBI furnished data on bond transactions between April 12, 2019, and February 15, 2024, totaling 22,217 bonds purchased during this period.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bond scheme and related amendments, requiring SBI to disclose details of each bond encashed by political parties, including the date and denomination. Electoral bonds, akin to promissory notes, were issued for contributions to political parties, purchasable from specific SBI branches in various denominations.

Legal challenges against amendments allowing unchecked political funding were filed, asserting concerns over potential misuse of the Finance Act 2017 and Finance Act 2016.

CM Stalin Questions Why Is Delhi A Warzone?

February 15, 2024, 12:19 pm

MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and President of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), criticized the central government on Thursday referring to the capital as a warzone for the high-level security deployments in Delhi to counter the Punjab farmers’ protests.
CM Stalin unleashed an assault on the Centre in a letter sent to DMK cadres on the ‘Urimaigalai Meetka Stalinin Kural’ (Stalin voice to restore rights) campaign, which is set to take place across 40 constituencies from February 16 to 18.

“Why this much arrangement of security in Delhi like a warzone? To silence the protest of our nation’s farmers Union BJP Government has created a situation worse than a warzone,” CM Stalin stated in the letter.
“After strong protests from farmers for more than 1 year BJP withdrew three farm laws. But they didn’t announce schemes for the welfare of the well-being of farmers. They didn’t withdraw the case against farmers. The government is doing atrocities by deploying the Police Force with weapons, roads were filled with barbed wire, jersey barriers and iron nails. Who is the terrorist here…Farmers? Government?,” Stalin said.

Stalin also criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for their policies, claiming that they were detrimental to “people’s welfare” in the letter.

“When the BJP introduced the three farm laws, DMK opposed that but AIADMK supported that and even AIADMK supports CAA. AIADMK was an accomplice in all BJP’s sins to Tamil Nadu. Cadres you have to expose these two parties to the people,” he added.

The ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by Punjab farmers against the federal government entered its third day on Thursday.
A meeting of farmer unions and the central government is scheduled for today at 5 p.m. to address the issues.
The farmers have presented 12 demands to the central government, for which they are marching to Delhi. This time, the demonstration has been called by the non-political Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and the Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, which is led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.

According to the protesting farmers, the Centre guaranteed them higher crop prices, therefore they halted their 2021 protest. They want a law that guarantees a minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, as outlined in the Swaminathan Commission report.
They also want a comprehensive debt waiver and a system to pay pensions to farmers and farm workers.

Money laundering case: Chennai court extends Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody till Jan 22

January 11, 2024, 2:54 pm

Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody was extended by the Principal District and Sessions Court of Chennai in relation to a money laundering case involving cash for jobs. Balaji has been placed under remand until January 22. On June 14 of last year, he was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). A plea to remove Balaji from the State Cabinet because of his involvement in the money laundering case was denied by the Supreme Court earlier on January 5.

The appeal was filed by ML Ravi against the Madras High Court, which left it to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to take a call on Balaji’s continuation in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio.
The former Minister for Electricity as well as Prohibition and Excise, Balaji was arrested on June 14 in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged cash-for-jobs scam when he was the Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime. The ED had arrested Balaji in connection with an Enforcement Case Information Register (ECIR) filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2021.
The ECIR was registered on the basis of three FIRs lodged against him by the local police in 2018 for his alleged involvement in a cash-for-job case when he was the Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa’s Cabinet in 2015. The charges date back to his tenure as transport minister during the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015.
He joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and assumed office as the Electricity Minister after the party came to power in May 2021.

SC rejects plea to remove Senthil Balaji as TN minister

January 5, 2024, 4:09 pm

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking the removal of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji from the State Cabinet due to his implication in a money laundering case.

A bench consisting of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan made an oral observation stating that the Chief Minister’s recommendation is required for a Governor to remove a Minister. The top court declined to intervene in the Madras High Court’s decision to deny the request to remove the minister representing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) from the Cabinet.

“We have perused the impugned judgment of the High Court and concur with the view taken. No interference is called for under Article 136,” said the bench while dismissing the appeal filed against the High Court order.
The appeal was filed by ML Ravi against the Madras High Court which left it to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to take a call on Balaji’s continuation in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as a Minister without portfolio.
The plea in the High Court challenged Balaji’s continuation in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet consequent to his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Balaji was arrested by the ED last year in a money laundering case.
He was accused of being involved in a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as Transport Minister in the AIADMK-led Tamil Nadu government between 2011 and 2015. Later had joined the DMK and became a minister in 2021.

Palaniswami vows rapid action, pledges to amplify public voices in Parliament

December 27, 2023, 2:54 am

With the judiciary and even the Election Commission recognising the AIADMK under him, the party will function at “jet speed” and ensure people’s voices are heard in Parliament, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said on Tuesday.
Alliance with national parties would do no good for Tamil Nadu as both the Congress or the BJP-led alliances always meted out step-motherly treatment to the state, he claimed and said the AIADMK had already made it clear that it would not have an electoral pact with the BJP.

“We are getting affected and are sidelined as national parties are not upholding coalition dharma. There’s no point in depending on national parties. People who vote are our masters. We will work for our masters rather than projecting someone as Prime Ministerial candidate,” Palaniswami said in his maiden address at the party’s General Council and Executive Committee meeting held at Srivaru Venkatachalapathy Palace in suburban Vanagaram, after he was elected as AIADMK’s general secretary.

The AIADMK would ensure the voice of the people are heard in Parliament, he said and pointed out that in the past the AIADMK functioned effectively in raising the issues concerning Tamil Nadu.
“Our 37 MPs stalled the Parliament for 22 days on the Cauvery issue. We will work for the people, ensure more funds for the development of Tamil Nadu,” he said at the meeting.
Training his guns on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and the INDIA bloc, Palaniswami said the opposition parties-led alliance was a picture of contrast and differences, with Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar reminding the DMK leaders that Hindi is our national language and that they have to learn it.

“Why didn’t Chief Minister Stalin, who always favours Tamil in everything and everywhere, raise his voice when the Bihar Chief Minister declined a translation of his speech into English?” Palaniswami asked, referring to the incident at the fourth meeting of the opposition alliance in Delhi on December 19.
“This is the position in the INDIA alliance,” the former Chief Minister said.

On the issue of a PM candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he said since people were the masters his party was for the people and not the Prime Minister. In a veiled reference to the deposed former coordinator O Panneerselvam, Palaniswami alleged “some traitors joined hands with our enemies to destroy the AIADMK. But justice was on our side and it prevailed in the court. The Election Commission of India has recognised us. Henceforth, the AIADMK will function at jet speed.” Addressing his followers in Coimbatore, Panneerselvam said “Palaniswami would go to Tihar jail if I reveal the mistakes that happened during the AIADMK rule.”

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK district secretaries meeting scheduled for today in Chennai

November 21, 2023, 5:17 pm

Chennai district in Tamil Nadu will host a district secretaries’ meeting on Tuesday, which will be presided over by Edappadi K Palaniswami, general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Today’s meeting is set to begin at approximately 4.30 p.m. at the AIADMK headquarters located in Royapetta, Chennai. The party’s plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be discussed at the meeting, according to party sources. The meeting will be attended by all of the party’s district secretaries.

More than 300 party cadres have already gathered at the party headquarters to welcome Edappadi Palaniswami.
AIADMK is facing its first Lok Sabha election after Palaniswami cemented his authority in the party in an internal struggle with former Chief Minister and senior leader O Panneerselvam.
AIADMK had also recently severed its ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging that its state leaders indulged in statements that belittled the party’s icons and former Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa and CN Annadurai.
The party had passed a resolution unanimously to leave the BJP-led NDA on October 2, 2023.

BJP is like the camel in the tent:Sibal’s remark after the AIADMK walks out of NDA

September 26, 2023, 10:43 am

On Tuesday, Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal attacked the BJP for the AIADMK’s decision to leave the National Democratic Alliance, claiming that another ally had defected and those who remained were in “opportunistic alliances with no ideological glue.”

The AIADMK announced on Monday that it was leaving the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and that it would head a separate front for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, breaking its four-year relationship with the BJP. A high-level meeting at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai, presided over by party leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, decided to leave the NDA.

In a post on X, Sibal said, “AIADMK exits NDA. Yet another ally leaves them! Those still with them are opportunistic alliances with no ideological glue: Pawar & Shinde in Maharashtra & alliances in the North East.” The BJP is like the “camel in the tent”, he said.

Sibal, a Union minister during UPA I and II, left the Congress in May of last year and received support from the Samajwadi Party to be elected as an Independent to the Rajya Sabha.

AIADMK leader D Jayakumar :BJP is not in alliance with AIADMK

September 18, 2023, 5:22 pm

D Jayakumar, the leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), stated on Monday that any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be decided during the elections because one has not yet been formed.

“BJP is not in alliance with AIADMK. We will decide about the alliance during the elections only,” said Jayakumar.
Jayakumar further mentioned that this is the party’s stand and not his personal opinion, and although BJP wants an alliance with the AIADMK but Annamalai (Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai) does not wish the same.
“This is not my personal view. This is our party’s stand. BJP cadres want an alliance with the AIADMK but Annamalai (Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai) doesn’t want an alliance. He always criticises our leaders. He is unfit to be BJP state president,” he said.

A verbal conflict between the BJP and AIADMK started after Annamalai made a contentious remark about the late Chief Minister C N Annadurai. As a result of the ongoing verbal volleys, the conflict has only gotten worse. When Muthuramalinga Devar spoke against atheism during the BJP protest at Chennai Valluvar Kottam against DMK Minister Sekar Babu, Annamalai mentioned an earlier incident and claimed that Annadurai was scared and apologized.

Tamil Nadu: AIADMK to hold first state conference after Palaniswami’s appointment as general secretary

July 27, 2023, 11:05 am

After Edappadi Palaniswami was sworn in as the party’s general secretary on August 20 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party is getting ready to hold its first state conference.

This conference, which will be a turning point for the party, will draw more than 20 lakh AIADMK members, according to AIADMK leader R Kamaraj. Palaniswami will also choose which alliance members to invite to the meeting. The conference is being held in an effort to inspire party members and solidify the return of the late former CM Jayalalithaa’s rule.

R Kamaraj, the leader of the AIADMK, declared on Wednesday that this conference would mark a turning point for the party. This conference will be conducted in a way that will officially reinstate the rule of the late former chief minister Jayalalithaa. More than 20 lakh AIADMK employees are expected to attend this meeting. The decision regarding inviting alliance parties to this meeting will be made by Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

Meanwhile, earlier on July 20, AIAMDK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami said that he believes that the NDA coalition will take home about 330 seats in the next parliamentary elections.

Edappadi Palaniswami, the leader of the opposition in Tamil Nadu, told the media about the NDA meeting in Delhi that the NDA performed admirably for the nine years that Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the government and that it earned India respect abroad.

ED Raids Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s Residence

June 13, 2023, 12:54 pm

The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at the residences of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji in Karur and Chennai. The raids are being conducted in connection to a money-laundering case revolving around an alleged job scam when he was a minister in erstwhile AIADMK government.

Last month, the Supreme Court authorised a police and ED investigation into an alleged cash-for-jobs scheme against Balaji, who also holds the Prohibition and Excise post. Income Tax Department raids were conducted at over 40 locations in Tamil Nadu, including residences and offices of government contractors allegedly linked to state electricity minister Senthil Balaji, a close confidant of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Senthil denied the reports and urged cooperation with the agency.

Madurai: AIADMK to hold state conference this August

April 18, 2023, 5:15 pm

On 20 August, the AIADMK has decided to hold its state conference in Madurai. The first one after Edappadi K. Palaniswami, popularly known as EPS, became the general secretary of the party.

On Sunday, the decision was taken after a resolution was passed at the executive committee of the party held in Chennai. This will also be the first meeting of the AIADMK after EPS became the general secretary of AIADMK, triumphing over the internal battle with O Panneerselvam or OPS.

In the decision of the executive committee, it was said that M G Ramachandran and former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had “charted history by holding mega conferences in places like Tirunelveli and Trichy,” and that the Madurai conference will likewise be a “turning point for AIADMK.”

Detractors said that the AIADMK had suffered in Tamil Nadu’s southern districts as a result of the removal of OPS, a southern Tamil native. According to an AIADMK insider, they hope to refute this narrative by having a state convention in Madurai.

Another resolution approved by the executive committee made a passing allusion to OPS and his group. “The party under the leadership of EPS should teach a lesson to traitors who have a clandestine link with DMK,” the resolution reads.

Some resolutions passed in the executive committee criticise DMK and its state government. Those resolutions alleged among other things law and order breakdown in Tamil Nadu under the DMK government, registering false cases against AIADMK workers, DMK not implementing election promises and DMK undermining state assembly conventions.
The State conference also called upon the DMK government to “impress upon the Centre to implement Cauvery – Godavari river link project and Nadanthai Vazhi Cauvery project.”
AIADMK state conference also decided to set up booth committees quickly across the state for strengthening the party at grass root ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Madras HC allows AIADMK poll proceedings, directs not to declare results

March 19, 2023, 4:30 pm

The Madras High Court on Sunday stated that AIADMK could continue the election proceedings for the General Secretary post, however, court further directed that the results could not be announced.

Notably, the HC was hearing a petition filed on Saturday by the O Panneerselvam faction against the election to the post of AIADMK’s general secretary. The order issued by the Justice K Kumaresh Babu reads that the results of General Secretary elections shouldn’t be declared till the disposal of applications.

The application was filed by Manoj Pandian and others to seek the interim relief. The HC decided to continue further arguments on the interim plea on 22 March. The election for the post of general secretary of AIADMK is scheduled to take place on 26 March.

In a statement earlier on Saturday, the OPS faction stated that, “Against the AIADMK bylaw, the election to the post of General Secretary was announced which is illegal.”

The statement further added that, “Meanwhile few people are spreading the news that AIADMK Coordinator O Pannerselvam has also filed nomination for the General Secretary post. This is only to create confusion among the cadres. This is totally false news.”

Earlier, AIADMK revealed that the polls to elect the party General Secretary will be held on 26 March.

Tamil Nadu: ECI approves two-leaves symbol for AIADMK

February 7, 2023, 12:49 pm

The Election Commission of India has approved the ‘two leaves’ symbol for All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), in what seemed to be a mild victory for Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) faction. ECI also approved the AIADMK Presidium Chairman Tamilmagan Hussain to sign in forms A and B and also authorised candidates to contest on behalf of AIADMK. Hussain said that this is the first step towards winning the Erode East bye-elections, and also expressed hope that AIADMK would be winning the seat.

Ahead of byelection, EPS camp moves SC AIADMK party symbol

January 28, 2023, 12:22 pm

As the faction led by former chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) filed a petition in the Supreme Court asking for a directive to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to grant it the symbol, the battle for the AIADMK’s two-leaf party symbol heated up on Friday, people familiar with the development said.

Tamil Nadu Asembly- Black vs White

January 11, 2023, 11:45 am

AIADMK MLAs, under the ledership of former chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, on Wednesday reached the Tamil Nadu Assembly in black shirts as a mark of protest against the DMK government and Speaker Appavu.
The AIADMK MLAs retaliate the DMK government over law and order while slamming Speaker Muthuvelayudha Perumal Appavu over a row over the seating arrangement for Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam. Even as fellow party MLAs were seen arriving at the Assembly in black shirts, OPS was pictured entering the Assembly compound clad in white.

AIADMK stages walk from Tamil Nadu Assembly

January 11, 2023, 11:44 am

AIADMK walk out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly protesting against law and order issues and seating arrangements on Wednesday.

Sole aim of DMK is ‘corruption, collection, commission’, says AIADMK leader

November 24, 2022, 3:40 pm

Along with other senior leaders, Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), the interim general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and the leader of the opposition in Tamil Nadu travelled to the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday to express their concerns to governor R N Ravi about the state’s deteriorating law and order situation and to make accusations of corruption against the DMK, which is currently in power.

EPS alleged the “sole aim” of the ruling DMK government is “corruption, collection, and commission” besides failure to maintain law and order. He handed over an 18-page document to the governor. “He (governor) told us that he will read everything and inquire,” said EPS talking to reporters after the meeting.

Crime including murders has become a daily affair and ‘’all this was happening due to an inefficient puppet chief minister ruling the state’’, Palaniswami said.

On the Coimbatore blast, he said the October 23 Coimbatore car explosion, in which the alleged perpetrator was killed, could have been averted if the government acted in time.

Before the case was turned over to the National Investigation Agency, he charged Chief Minister M K Stalin with being unconcerned about it.

EPS said it is not only, “a failure of the state intelligence agency but also shows the incompetence of the state police.”

Meanwhile, Ravi’s removal as governor has been requested by legislators from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, who accuse him of acting in an unlawful manner.

On November 9, DMK and its allies sent a letter to the president claiming that the governor was making anti-communal remarks. As of his appointment in September 2021, the governor has not taken any action on the 20 bills passed by the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, according to the DMK.

On this, EPS opined the governor is functioning as he should be. “That is why the corrupt DMK is calling the governor a bad person,” EPS said. “As a responsible opposition, we have given the complaints to him. Only the governor can investigate it,” he added.

The riots that occurred in Kallakurichi in July after a school student committed suicide were another concern that the AIADMK raised in their complaint. EPS urged the governor to act after accusing the DMK of operating open-air drug and alcohol shops inside their command.

“While drugs were free-flowing, on the contrary medicines were running short in government hospitals. Every department is corrupt,” EPS alleged.

Former ministers and prominent figures C V Shanmugham, S P Velumani, D Jayakumar, as well as Natham R Viswanathan, Dindigul Srinivasan, and K P Munusamy, accompanied EPS.

Sasikala released from prison, Tamil Nadu CM unveils Jayalalithaa’s memorial

January 28, 2021, 8:25 am

After spending four years in jail in connection with a disproportionate assets case, former All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader V.K. Sasikala has been released from the Central Prison, Bengaluru on Wednesday.

“Sasikala has been officially released as on 11 am today. She was shifted to Victoria Hospital on January 21 and was tested positive for Covid-19,” Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) said. Sasikala, a former aide of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, will remain in the hospital as she is being treated for the Covid-19 infection.

“As per protocol, she will be discharged on the tenth day if she is asymptomatic and free of oxygen support for at least 3 days,” the hospital said.Meanwhile, the BMCRI said that Sasikala is conscious, alert and well oriented. “Her pulse rate is 76/minute and blood pressure is 166/86 mmHg.”

She was admitted to Lady Curzon Hospital following complaints of fever and later she was admitted to the BMCRI and tested positive for COVID-19 in an RT-PCR test on 21 January.

Last year, the Income Tax Department had attached properties worth Rs 1,600 crores belonging to the former AIADMK leader under the provisions of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act.

The 63-year-old leader has been serving a sentence in a disproportionate assets case. In 2019, the Income Tax Department had attached properties worth Rs 1,600 crore belonging to the former AIADMK leader under the provisions of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday unveiled a memorial built for former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa at the Marina Beach in Chennai. Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam was also present at the event.

Many people thronged the memorial amid tight security arrangements.

The foundation of this phoenix themed memorial was laid three years ago in 2018. Popularly known as ‘Amma’, Jayalalithaa breathed her last on 5 December 2016.

Jayalalithaa, who was born in 1948, served five terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years between 1991 and 2016. In 1982, when M.G. Ramachandran was the chief minister, Jayalalithaa joined the AIADMK, the party he founded.

TAMIL NADU’S TRYST WITH CINEMA AND POLITICS

January 6, 2021, 3:18 am

In Tamil Nadu, movies and politics have had a very close association in the past, as two of the state’s former Chief Ministers Dr. M.G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa (AIADMK) were both actors. Another late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, started his career writing films and dialogues for movies. During his time, M.G. Ramachandran (popularly called M.G.R.) enjoyed popularity and stardom in Tamil Nadu that was both unheard of and unseen before. Even in his films, he played only holier than thou roles of a fisherman, peasant or rickshaw puller, all of which contributed to building his image as the ithaya deivam (lord of the hearts) of the Tamil masses. He always played the role of a savior in his movies, and avoided any image of elitism, which resulted in his immortalization on screen and in the hearts of people as a demigod.

Despite his raging popularity which exists even today, during this 10 year tenure, there was an over dependence on state subsidies and half the state remained below the poverty line. In fact, similar observations can be noted about the tenure of his successor, Jayalalithaa. However, Jayalalithaa’s schemes such as thallikku thangan (gold for mangalsutra), Amma canteen and cradle baby scheme have paved the way for women’s and children’s development across the country.

The most recent and prominent actor-turned politician is Vijayakant. He was made the leader of Opposition in 2011 after guiding his Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to 29 seats and 8% of the vote share, when even the DMK was at a distant third. He however lost his plot after having a fallout with the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and was later mocked and ridiculed by the media . He was known to be a clean politician with the potential to become the next Chief Minister, but it would seem that things were not meant to be.

No other state in India has the unique relationship Tamil Nadu politics has with actors. Electoral politics in Tamil Nadu have in many instances played the role of skyrocketing an actor into a political superhero. However, at present, even a superstar of Rajinikanth’s stature needs to think twice before making a formal entry into politics. Perhaps, this goes to show the changing dynamics of the state, whereby, being a popular actor alone does not qualify one to sit in the Chief Minister’s chair. The rise to power of current Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who comes from a farmers background, can also be viewed as a sign of the changing mindset of Tamil Nadu voters.

Ahead of Assembly polls, AIADMK calls executive, general council meet

December 22, 2020, 7:26 am

Following the meeting at the party headquarters, in a joint statement, AIADMK convener O. Panneerselvam and co-convener Edappadi Palaniswami have called for the party’s executive and general council meeting on 9 January2021. Along with the announcement on Monday, the party also has announced that the first political public meeting will on 27 December in Chennai.

The executive and General council meeting gains significance as it comes right ahead of Sasikala’s release and the Assembly elections.

Though the much insisted 11-member committee demanded by OPS was announced, there is information about the powers of the committee was stated by the party during its announcement and the executive council has to empower it to become operational. Already, there are specific committee for specific works in the party.

Apart from that, the executive and general council will discuss about the election strategies and release of Sasikala in January 2021. Though the AIADMK continues to maintain that they are in alliance with BJP, the national party still keeps stirring the pot by raising the CM candidate issue of the alliance. AIADMK maintains it as a settled decision as there is no question of a CM candidate anyone other than EPS, Tamil Nadu BJP president and other leaders in the party continue to say that the CM candidate for the alliance will announced by the BJP high command.

Sources in the party say the release of Sasikala will not have any adverse impact on the party except that very few low-level leaders and few MLAs could make a courtesy meet with her.

Ready to tie up with Rajini if ideologies match: Kamal Haasan

December 16, 2020, 3:15 am

Chennai: On his second day of election campaign in Virudhunagar, to a question of him and Rajinikanth joining hands for the Assembly elections, Kamal Haasan said: “We both have come for change. We can decide only after Rajinikanth announces his political ideology clearly, then we will talk. We are just a phone call away. If our ideologies are similar and if that benefits the people, we are ready to throw away our ego and ready to cooperate with each other.”

This comment comes at the time when Rajinikanth has announced that he will start his political party in January.

Kamal Haasan also took a swipe at AIADMK for the ministers taking exception of Kamal Haasan appropriating former Chief Minister MGR ahead of the elections. Responding to remarks by ministers against him, during his campaign in Virudhunagar, Haasan said: “There are some people claiming proprietary over MGR and saying that Kamal Haasanis appropriating him. I know him as ‘Makkal Thilagam’ and when he was in DMK, he was not called ‘DMK Thilagam’. These Ministers who talk about MGR haven’t even seen his face in person, but I grew up sitting on his lap. These people don’t know anything because they don’t read or see any pictures. The entire state will claim MGR as theirs, if these people continue to say that MGR is their property, then people will teach them a lesson and will show who should sit on MGR’s lap.”

After making the comment, Kamal Haasan also tweeted a video of him with MGR.

Political analysts say that Kamal Haasan is trying to shelve his image of being close to the ruling government in the state and project himself as a