Latest DMK News | Top DMK News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking DMK News Today | English DMK News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

DMK MP raises concern over rising cases of dubious drug trials

July 22, 2024, 11:21 pm

DMK Rajya Sabha member Dr. Kanimozhi NVN on Monday raised the concern over rising cases of dubious drug trials having serious repercussions on the healthcare sector in the country.

While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the DMK leader said, “I want to bring notice to house about a very serious raised by the ethical committee of the National Institute of Virology, Pune about the rising cases of dubious drug trials in India which have serious repercussions on the entire healthcare sectors.”

She said that it has also raised a serious question about the monitoring and quality control of the clinical studies in our country.

The DMK leader further pointed out that recently, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has received an appeal to investigate the critical gaps in clinical trials by a pharma company to develop a biosimilar treatment of breast cancer.

“For a company to conduct trials, all trials have to be registered with the central trial registry of India,” she said, adding that the most important factor in such trials is the “genuineness” of the original product which is considered the goal standard.

“Any doubt about the authenticity of the gold standard is bound to question the integrity of the whole trial and impacts the effectiveness of the biosimilar copy being tested,” she highlighted.

She also said that such allegation are that the trials are being conducted just 4 months before the procurement of the gold standard drug from the original manufacturer.

“As a principal, the national accreditation board if hospitals and the quality control of India had called the ethics committee of the medical colleges and the big hospitals as dysfunctional as they adjusts namesake and do not scrutinize properly in many instances,” she said.

She also said that if this penurious thing going undetected by the IECs and the IRBs of the frothy premiere institutes of the country illustrates the porosity of the checks and balances of the ethical conduct of clinical trial.

“This raises a serious question about the authenticity of the trial data by no slight of hand can anomaly be brushed under a carpet. The human lives are at the stake if this drug cease the light of the dubious trials.

“Unfortunately the same pharma company has a substantial large contribution through electoral bonds. The data released by the Election Commission on March 14 has revealed 35 pharma companies in India have contributed nearly thousand crores of to political parties across the state and center through the companies which have been invested for poor quality drug which they are purchased through the bonds,” she said.

Kanimozhi NVK said that as the member of the medical fraternity “I caution the Union government to take stringent action against all those involved in this unethical practices in clinical trials”.

Kallakurichi deaths: TN BJP leaders demand DMK minister’s resignation

June 25, 2024, 3:58 am

The Kallakurichi hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu has led to the death of nearly 60 people and 80 still in hospital undergoing treatment. On Monday, Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai along with senior BJP leaders from the state met Governor RN Ravi. They handed over a letter demanding the resignation of DMK Minister S Muthuswamy, who is in charge of prohibition and excise, and sought a CBI enquiry as well.

After meeting the Tamil Nadu Governor, Annamalai posted on social media, “Along with senior leaders of @BJP4TamilNadu today, we met the Honourable Governor of TN, Thiru RN Ravi avl, and handed over the representation seeking the resignation of the Prohibition Minister whose complacency led to the death of over 60 people in Kallakurichi due to illicit liquor and the case be transferred to the CBI for enquiry.”

Annamalai said, “Due to this carelessness of the DMK government, we have lost 60 lives to illicit arrack in Kallakurichi. Today, we met Governor RN Ravi seeking a CBI enquiry to probe who is behind the sale of illicit arrack.”

He also accused the ruling DMK of “not being bothered” about the issue of increased availability of ganja and illicit arrack in the last three years and “this has led to a big suspicion.”

BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan spoke to the media after the meeting and alleged that the Tamil Nadu government was protecting those who were responsible for this tragedy.

She also said that Chief Minister MK Stalin and Excise Minister S Muthusamy did not bother to visit Kallakurichi to meet the victims. Tamilisai Soundararajan stated, “S Muthusamy should take moral responsibility for the incident and should resign.

Our demand is to forward this illicit liquor case to the CBI for further investigation.”

DMK mouthpiece states Modi became PM due to ‘borrowed benevolence’

June 8, 2024, 3:49 am

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) asserted its dominance in Tamil Nadu in the recent Lok Sabha elections with a 40/40 win for the party and its allies. Now, the DMK mouthpiece, the Murasoli, in its editorial on June 7 has stated that Narendra Modi has become prime minister for the third time thanks to the ‘borrowed benevolence’ of its alliance parties, namely the Telugu Desam party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JDU).

The Murasoli editorial stated, “The people of India did not vote for Modi to govern. The circumstances have allowed him to be (become) prime minister on borrowed ‘dayavu’ (benevolence/compassion). Enough of making tall claims, assuring that (you will) do this and that with 400 seats and 370 seats; fulfill everyday needs of the Indian people. Create an India that is without tears and worries. That is enough.”

It stated further that though the BJP and Modi had been confident and emphatically stated during the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections that they would win a thumping 400 seats, the reality was far from the truth. “We see with our eyes the saffron party falling into an abyss. Modi alone should own up responsibility for a setback and defeat of this kind. It is because he thought of showcasing election victory as his own individual achievement. As it has failed, that failure is also his own individual defeat,” said the DMK.

The DMK further added that the reason why the elections were held from 19 April to 1 June in seven phases was so that Modi could visit all the states and campaign for the 400 seats they wanted to win. So if there was a failure, it should be attributed to him alone, said the DMK editorial.

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.

“Anti-Nationals, Anti-Ram”: JP Nadda Slams INDIA bloc at Poll Rally

May 4, 2024, 12:52 am

BJP leader JP Nadda criticized the Congress leadership for their silence on DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks against Sanatana Dharma, labelling them as “anti-nationals” and “anti-Ram”.

Nadda accused the UPA government, under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, of dismissing Lord Ram as fictional and lacking historical or scientific evidence, especially during the Ram Janmabhoomi case.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the construction of the Ram Temple, highlighting the Pran Pratishtha ceremony on January 22. Speaking at a public gathering in Dahod, Gujarat, Nadda condemned Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his derogatory remarks against Sanatana Dharma, and criticized Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their silence on the matter.

He questioned the electorate whether they should support such individuals. Gujarat, known as a stronghold of the BJP and the home state of Modi and Amit Shah, is set to vote for 25 out of its 26 parliamentary seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on May 7.

In Surat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was elected uncontested after the nomination papers of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani were rejected due to discrepancies in the nomination process.

The general elections, spanning seven phases from April 1 to June 3, are a significant democratic exercise in India.

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.

PM Modi slams DMK over Dayanidhi Maran’s remarks against Annamalai

April 10, 2024, 4:59 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a public address at Tamil Nadu’s Mettupalayam, took aim at the opposition bloc, INDIA, suggesting that their formation lacked confidence in India’s capabilities. He accused the ruling parties in the state, DMK and Congress, of harboring a single-minded agenda of retaining power through deceptive means. Modi underscored the successful rollout of India’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, contrasting it with skepticism voiced by some members of the opposition. He criticized Congress for its failure to alleviate poverty despite being in power for decades, contrasting it with the NDA government’s achievement of lifting millions out of poverty.

Furthermore, Modi emphasized the BJP’s commitment to inclusivity by highlighting the appointment of a tribal woman as India’s President, a move he claimed faced opposition from the INDIA alliance. He also accused the Congress-DMK coalition of practicing discrimination during their rule, contrasting it with the BJP’s vision of ‘Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas’ (Collective Effort, Inclusive Growth).

Modi reiterated the government’s initiatives aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities, such as providing housing, water, and electricity to millions, especially those from SC-ST and OBC backgrounds. Earlier in the day, Modi held a rally in Vellore, ahead of the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu where all 39 seats will vote in a single phase on April 19, with vote counting scheduled for June 4. In the 2019 polls, the DMK-led alliance secured an overwhelming victory, winning 38 out of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu.

Smriti Irani attacks DMK over Sanatan Dharma, mocks Congress

April 6, 2024, 3:08 pm

Union Minister Smriti Irani launched her election campaign in North Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where she criticized the DMK leaders’ alleged anti-Sanatana Dharma remarks. She emphasized the state’s spiritual heritage, stating, “Today, I stand in a state that is renowned for its spiritual power, its saints, and its culture, and that is why the nation is outraged when the DMK leaders attacked Sanatana Dharma.” Irani, also the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, campaigned in support of North Chennai BJP candidate Paul Kanagaraj.

During her campaign, which started at Othavadai Street in Nammalwarpet Market, Chennai, Irani targeted the opposition INDIA alliance. She questioned the Congress party’s commitment to democracy, saying, “Today, the Congress party says they want to protect democracy. My question to the Congress party is how will they protect democracy when they are with the DMK?” Irani also criticized the alliance’s connections to what she described as terrorist organizations, stating, “The Congress today to fight election even in a state like Kerala takes the support of banned terrorist organisations like the PFI’s political leadership.”

Irani highlighted the perceived contradictions within the alliance, stating, “And I saw that in Wayanad, the INDI alliance is fighting, but when they meet in Delhi, they are hugging each other. And today I am in Tamil Nadu; I can only say, In Delhi, they are hugging; in Kerala, they are begging; and in Tamil Nadu, they are thugging.”

The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry will be held in the first phase on April 19. In the 2019 elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which included the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, won 38 out of 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. The NDA, led by the BJP, won only one seat.

In Puducherry, the Congress won the only seat contested in the 2019 elections. This year, the polling will take place in seven phases across the country, starting on April 19 and concluding on June 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for June 4.

NDA Ally AMMK Reveals Lok Sabha Candidates for Tamil Nadu

March 24, 2024, 12:11 pm

Following the conclusion of a seat-sharing agreement with the BJP, the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK) revealed its candidates for the upcoming seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on Sunday.

The AMMK general secretary, TTV Dhinakaran, declared the names of the party’s candidates for the Lok Sabha elections.

As per an agreement within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the AMMK will vie for two seats in the southern state governed by the DMK. Dhinakaran will personally contest the Theni Lok Sabha seat, while Senthilnathan has been selected as the NDA candidate for Trichy.

“AMMK will contest two seats in Tamil Nadu as a partner in the NDA. I would contest Theni while Senthilnathan would file his nomination papers from Trichy,” Dhinakaran told reporters on Sunday.

“Let the people now decide who wins from Theni. I got the name ‘Makkal Selvan’ (people’s hero) from Theni. I have worked in the constituency before and the people, here, know me well.”

“My dear friend O Pannerselvam’s son, OP Ravindhranath, is the present MP (from Theni). When I came here last month, they (the sitting MP and his father) asked me to contest this seat. The people, too, requested that I fight the Lok Sabha elections from Theni. Then I spoke with Pannerselvam and other leaders in the alliance. OPS eventually decided to set aside the seat for me and contest Ramanathapuram instead. He would win and so would I,” Dhinakaran said.

In addition to the AMMK, the NDA has also forged a seat-sharing pact with the Ambumani Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The voting for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu is scheduled to take place in the initial phase of the general elections on April 19.

During the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which included the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, secured a resounding triumph by clinching 38 out of the 39 seats in the state.

In 2019, the DMK secured victory in 23 Lok Sabha seats, while the Congress won 8 seats and the CPI secured 2 seats.

Opposition Raise Concerns Over 7-Phase Lok Sabha Elections

March 17, 2024, 12:46 pm

Following the Election Commission’s announcement of the Lok Sabha elections being conducted in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, opposition parties have greeted the decision positively. However, some have raised concerns that the staggered polling schedule could favor the BJP. The Congress has also emphasized that the forthcoming elections represent a final opportunity to safeguard democracy.

The Trinamool Congress has also remarked that the poll body did not consider the West Bengal government’s proposal of conducting the elections in one or two phases. It stated that the seven-phase polling in the state once again will aid “parties with deeper pockets”.

The 44-day voting duration will be the second longest after the first Lok Sabha election in 1951-52, which extended across four months.

In a Saturday post on X, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the 2024 elections will usher in the era of Nyay (justice) for India, alluding to the party’s programs aimed at different segments of society.

“2024 Lok Sabha elections will open the ‘Door of NYAY’ for India. This would be perhaps the last chance to save Democracy and our Constitution from Dictatorship. ‘We the people of India’ will together fight against hatred, loot, unemployment, price rise and atrocities,” he posted.

Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Kharge remarked that a seven-phase election indicates that “Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to tour everywhere” and it could have been concluded in three or four phases.

“We are not anxious about what is going to happen, but Modiji putting seven phases, it means that he wants to tour everywhere. In this country, I have also contested nearly 12 elections and there hardly used to be four phases. Sometimes it used to be even one phase,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.

Highlighting that almost all development activities will cease from Saturday due to the enforcement of the model code of conduct, the Congress leader stated, “…Stopping nearly 70-80 days, imagine how the country will progress? Because of the election code of conduct…materials will not be supplied. Budget will not be spent. So, according to me, this is not good. He could have completed within three or four phases.”

Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera remarked that these “milestone” elections are occurring under “a cloud of scams” of electoral bonds, jailing, suspension and raiding of opposition parties and politicians, and freezing of funds of the main national opposition party.

TKS Elangovan, spokesperson of the DMK, which is the opposition party with the second-highest number of Lok Sabha MPs, remarked that waiting until June 4 for the results is something that the party will need to “prepare” for.

“We anticipated that Tamil Nadu will come in the first phase (on April 19), however, waiting till June 4, is one question that the party has to get prepared for,” he said.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which had previously stated that the elections in West Bengal should be conducted in one or two phases, mentioned that seven rounds of polling will aid parties with deeper pockets.

“We wanted a single or twin phase Lok Sabha election in the state. Our views were that a multiple-phase election helps political parties with deeper pockets, and gives them an advantage over others,” Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya was quoted as saying by PTI.

“The 2021 assembly elections were held in eight phases and it was said that this was being done due to the pandemic. So now, what is the reason for holding elections in seven phases? There is no valid reason,” she said, adding that the Trinamool Congress hoped that the Election Commission would work in an “impartial” manner.

“The state government’s views were not taken into account. This is a disregard for the federal structure. We fail to understand the reasons for holding such a long election. This is quite surprising,” Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray said.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief, Arvind Kejriwal, urged the public to cast their votes in favor of his party.

“The dates of Lok Sabha polls in the country have been declared. It’s a great festival of democracy. I appeal to all the countrymen to vote this time against dictatorship and hooliganism,” he said.

“The AAP works for real issues of the people and facilitates them. Strengthen our hands by voting on ‘jhaadu’ (broom, the AAP’s election symbol) wherever our candidates are contesting the polls, so that we can work for you with more energy,” he added.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated that the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a coalition comprising the Congress, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar), and his party, is prepared for the elections. “We only want the Election Commission to ensure free and fair polls… The MVA will announce its candidates after the rally in Mumbai tomorrow,” Mr Raut told PTI.

The faction led by Sharad Pawar within the NCP, however, raised questions about why the elections were being conducted in five phases in Maharashtra, which, with 48 seats, sends the second-highest number of MPs to the Lok Sabha.

“Five phases in Maharashtra. What is the BJP trying to do? Is this fear or EVM?” Clyde Crasto, national spokesperson of the party, posted on X.

Kamal Hassan To Declare An Alliance In 2 days

February 19, 2024, 11:23 am

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, Makkal Needhi Maiam president and actor Kamal Hassan stated on Monday that an alliance announcement would be made within two days.
While speaking to the media at Chennai International Airport, the MNM president predicted a “good opportunity” for the parliamentary polls, adding that election preparations are progressing smoothly.

“In two days I will meet you with good news. Works for the Parliament election are going well and hoping for a good opportunity. Regarding the alliance will announce the decision in two days,” Kamal Hassan said.

Kamal Hassan arrived at Chennai Airport on Monday morning after completing preparations for his upcoming film ‘Thug Life’ in the United States.
Earlier in September last year, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin intimated that his party will join forces with Hassan’s MNM ahead of the parliamentary polls.

“The party leaders will decide on the alliance (with Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam party) at the time of the elections,” Udhayanidhi Stalin had said.

Also, Kamal Hassan defended Udhayanidhi Stalin during the ‘Sanatana Dharma’ issue, claiming that a little child (Udhayanidhi) was persecuted simply for speaking about Sanatana.

Hassan founded MNM in 2018, but it lost in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

MNM later backed the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidate in Erode’s by-polls.

Hassan was also spotted accompanying Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which arrived in Tamil Nadu earlier in December 2022.

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.

Tamil Nadu transport employess declare indefinite strike; Minister calls it ‘political move’

January 9, 2024, 1:18 pm

The state’s transport workers’ unions have declared an indefinite bus strike starting on Tuesday ahead of the Pongal festival holidays in Tamil Nadu. They claim that the state government has not been taking any of their demands into consideration. The strike includes members of the main unions, including the Anna Thozhir Sanga Peravai (ATSP), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), and Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU). The unions had made a number of demands, such as signing the 15th wage revision agreement to raise wages, filling open positions for bus drivers and conductors, and providing retired workers with their due compensation—which hasn’t been paid out in eight years—as well as dearness allowances (DA) of Rs 6000 per month.

However, the transport strike called by various transport employees unions demanding the 15th wage revision has not affected the operation of buses including the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) today.
According to the MTC official, in the city where MTC is the sole bus operator a total of 2,098 buses were operated against the normal operation of 2,025 buses.
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister SS Sivasankar has termed the strike as a ‘political move’.
He inspected Chennai Koyambedu Bus Stand and advised transport officials for smooth operation despite strike call by various transport unions today.
“For political reasons, such protests are diversion. This is Pongal time. We need to function on special buses. This time such a strike would affect the public. DMK always works for the benefits of Transport workers. DMK has fulfilled many promises. Even in the six demands we are just asking for time,” he said.

Prisoner’s dilemma between DMK & I.N.D.I.A bloc members

December 30, 2023, 5:37 am

DMK’s egregious outbursts that belittle Sanatan Dharma, Hindi, people of Hindi-speaking states, Hindu gods and beliefs, changing the rules of worship procedure in the temples of TN with its Hindu Religious Endowment Department, delimitation exercise expected in 2026, and similar issues that harbour fissiparous tendencies (such as calling the central government ONRIYA ARASU in Tamil, indirectly indicating that India is not a Union of India but the United States of India) continue unabatedly.

Although these outlandish outbursts have been there since the 1930s with the DravidarKazhakam of E. V. Ramasamy Naicker, followed by Annadurai and Karunanidhi of the DMK, they virtually disappeared during the participation of the DMK in the central government dispensation between 1999 and 2013 (1999–2004 with the BJP and 2004–2013 with Congress).

It resurfaced more aggressively in 2021 once DMK came to power in TN, with the disappointment that with the BJP becoming a party in pole position, the chances of becoming part of the central dispensation have been dim. Apart from the outbursts of Udayanidhi, son and minister in the TN government, Sanatana Dharma is like dengue, and it must be eradicated with no traces or “2G” A Raja calling Hinduism is like HIV and leprosy, DMK MP Senthil Kumar’s speech in Lok Sabha that disparaged MP, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan voters as the people who belonged to the cow-mutra states to the latest outburst of “BSNL resources swindling” Dayanidhi, who stated that UP and Bihar people have been cleaning the toilets in TN.

Calling North Indians “beda-biters” is another disparaging remark from the recent past. The above instances are only the tip of the iceberg.
DMK is not naïve enough to understand that its outbursts not only dents the chances of Congress in the states of MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, HP, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Karnataka but also dents the chances of Samajwadi Party in UP, JDU and RJD in Bihar, TMC in West Bengal, AAP in Delhi and Punjab, and Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra.

Congress is an insignificant partner in TN in the DMK alliance, and even if the INDI alliance breaks the alliance with DMK in TN, except for a couple of percentage points of vote share owned by Congress, DMK’s alliance’s core support base along with other small alliance partners may remain intact.

The core support base of the DMK’s alliance is made up of Abrahamic voters. Although Muslims and Christians constitute 5.9% and 6.1% of the total population in TN as per the 2011 census, the actual population of Christians may be about 14% as sizable Scheduled Caste members practice Christianity but have been mentioning their religion as Hinduism in records to enjoy reservation benefits and hence accounted as Hindus in the census.

Although SC Christians form the single largest caste block in Christianity, the intermediate castes (who enjoy backward class status) have never allowed them in various Christian forums and clergy positions. Despite this, SC Christians support DMK along with intermediate-caste Christians.

With this 20% vote share as the basis, DMK’s core supporters of 10% and the vote share of alliance partners of about 3% from CPI, CPM, VCK, and other small parties, about 50% of the TN government employees and their families supporting DMK, which forms about 4% of the vote share in TN (Earlier, about 80%–90% of the TN government employees supported DMK; with the TN government failing to implement the poll promise of introducing the old pension scheme, DMK lost a significant vote base of the TN government employees), the alliance would get about 35% of the votes, even without Congress.

The vote-cutters take away about 15% of the total votes in TN. With no alliance between AIADMK and BJP, DMK is extremely confident that it could get most of the seats in the first-past-the-post system by securing 35% of the total votes in TN. Either AIADMK or BJP should get more than 35% of the vote to push DMK to the second position. Even though 65% of the total voters may not vote for the DMK alliance, there may be no consolidation of votes against the DMK in the absence of a bipolar contest.

All these outbursts by DMK have been aimed at consolidating their established vote bank and not acquiring additional votes. The moot question is: if the INDI alliance fare poorly in the 2024 general elections, it will not have enough numbers to form a government.
Does the DMK not know that in such a scenario, the DMK has no chance of being a part of the ruling dispensation at the center? Even before the December 2023 elections for five state assembly elections, DMK knew that there were fewer prospects for the INDI alliance to get a majority in the 2024 general elections. It got confirmed with the results of the MP, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh state elections.

What DMK has been adopting is a prisoner’s dilemma, a game theory in economics. When the two members of a criminal gang are arrested, police know that they don’t have evidence to convict the pair of their criminal activities. However, they knew that the pair had committed the crime and wanted to sentence them.

Both the prisoners are in different cells and have no communication with each other, and hence they are not aware of the Faustian bargain the police planned. As per the Faustian bargain, if the first prisoner gives testimony against the second one and the second one does not give testimony against the first prisoner, the first prisoner will get a sentence, and vice versa.
If both do not give testimony against each other, both will be released. If both give testimony against each other, both will be sentenced.

Unlike the Faustian bargain of the two prisoners, there is no disconnect in communication between DMK and other INDI parties. DMK has been resorting to Faustian bargaining by resorting to outbursts (equivalent to giving testimony against other alliance parties of the INDI alliance) that will affect the prospects of others in the alliance, including Congress.
This has been done in the hope that Congress will not resort to outbursts against DMK, as Congress believes till now that the benefit in terms of seats that it can win from TN in alliance with DMK outweighs the seats it would gain in the direct contest against the BJP in other states, even when it kicks out DMK from the alliance.

However, this is not a two-prisoner’s dilemma; rather, it is a multi-prisoner’s dilemma. Congress may not resort to testimony against DMK, but other parties, which are at the receiving end, may give testimony against DMK and save their face. The recent retort of Tejaswi Yadav of RJD is an example. It is to be seen whether the INDI alliance may remain as the alliance of 26 parties or become an alliance between Congress and DMK, with others parting ways citing one or another excuse in the months leading to the 2024 general elections.

Ramakrishnan T S is the author is a political and public policy expert

Irresponsible statements are best avoided

December 28, 2023, 6:20 am

What has come upon Farooq Abdullah? For that matter, what has come upon the politicians from the DMK? Why do they think that making irresponsible statements is the right way to establish their political relevance? Some DMK politicians have cultivated the habit of putting both their feet in the mouth whenever they open it. First it was the attack on Sanatan Dharma by none other than M.K. Stalin’s son, DMK heir and Tamil Nadu minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who equated the religion followed by Hindus with malaria and dengue.

Then it was DMK MP, M. Mohamed Abdulla who was seen arguing in Parliament recently that the abrogation of Article 370 was an attack on federalism—and this in spite of the Supreme Court upholding the abrogation. And now a video—supposedly from 2019—has surfaced of senior DMK politician and ex Union minister Dayanidhi Maran, trying to prove Tamil superiority by saying that the people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh come to Tamil Nadu to clean toilets. Even before the controversy over Maran’s statement ended, Farooq Abdullah, as if missing all the limelight, jumped into the ring to predict a Gaza like situation in Jammu and Kashmir if India does not normalise relations with Pakistan. It is a different matter that Abdullah has been predicting doom and gloom for India for ever with regard to Article 370—in vain. Even then, shouldn’t he be more responsible in his utterances?

Gaza is witnessing a war—a military onslaught. It is being bombed by Israeli jets. Civilian death toll is mounting. Gaza strip has turned into rubble. It’s a full-blown humanitarian crisis, which the Hamas terrorists brought upon Gaza by launching the most heinous attack on Israel on 7 October. What’s happening in the Israel-Hamas war is a fate that should not befall any land. For a Kashmiri politician, who has been Chief Minister and is even now a representative of J&K in Indian Parliament, to predict a future where his own land turns into Gaza is problematic. Unless of course scare-mongering is his intention. Looking back, such was the fear created by politicians like Abdullah that Kashmir would burn if anyone even thought of abrogating Article 370, that successive governments did not dare to touch the Article even though it was a temporary provision in the Constitution. When Article 370 was abrogated on 5 August 2019, Kashmir did not burn. In the last four and a half years, mass unrest in Kashmir and oppression by the Indian authorities have existed only in the imagination of foreign op-ed writers and the disinformation system that feeds them. Moreover, India does not bomb its own people, however much the provocation or the cost in terms of human lives—historically, neither in Jammu and Kashmir, nor in the insurgency prone areas of middle India and the Northeast.

So what is Abdullah hinting at, that the Pakistan military establishment will increase its terrorist activities in J&K unless and until India starts speaking to Pakistan? India is clear that terror and talks cannot go hand in hand. Whenever India has extended its hand of friendship towards Pakistan, the latter has backstabbed it, either through war—Kargil—or by escalating terrorist activities. Talks are no guarantee that terrorism will stop. Also, India is in a different league, where peace with Pakistan is desirable, but not imperative. India’s economic prosperity does not depend on its relations with a bankrupt and broken country like Pakistan; it’s rather the other way round. The days of hyphenating India and Pakistan are long gone. Only the delusional in Pakistan believe in their importance in India’s scheme of things. No wonder Farooq Abdullah seems to be caught in a time warp when he starts advocating an India-Pakistan dialogue.

After decades of unrest and turmoil, the people of J&K are finally coming to the mainstream, and thus experiencing the constitutional rights enjoyed by Indian citizens, as well as the perks of development that come with it. Shouldn’t normalisation be given a chance for the good of the people? Shouldn’t Farooq Abdullah be strengthening that process, instead of coming across as unhappy with what is happening in the valley? Surely, personal good can take a back seat in the face of greater public good.

As for the DMK leaders, why do they feel the need to insult? Why will political leaders occupying responsible positions feel the need to use divisive rhetoric and stoke regional chauvinism? Their statements are making the political discourse in the country hit the nadir, apart from having the potential to cause strife and discord at the ground level. Are these statements a sign of their political insecurity? If governance is poor, if people are unhappy, regional “pride” will not save a political party from decimation during elections.

Hence, the shriller the DMK leaders get in highlighting the so-called North-South divide or the Dravidian identity, questions will rise if they are losing their grip on their turf.
The bottom line is, speech—any speech—has to be carved with care. By bringing their insecurities to the fore, these politicians are lowering the dignity of the country’s political space.
Joyeeta Basu

India News Manch 2023: Rakesh Sinha addressed the issues of North and South India, advising DMK leaders

December 14, 2023, 7:17 pm

Like every year, this year too, India News is organizing the country’s largest political platform. This event is taking place at the NDMC Convention Center in Delhi. The program, which began yesterday, i.e., Wednesday, December 13, is on its second day today. It is noteworthy that this three-day program will continue until Friday, December 15, 2023, where the arrival of many dignitaries has taken place. Today, on this stage, Rajya Sabha Dr. Rakesh Sinha arrived. During this time, he discussed the verdict of the Allahabad Court.

Attempting to erase Indian culture:

He said that worshiping Lord Rama does not mean abandoning the temples of Lord Shiva and Krishna. He mentioned that the damage inflicted on India’s heritage was not only on temples but also an attempt to eradicate culture and temples. He stated that temples have existed in India for thousands of years before Islam came. In this context, it is essential to understand when and how an Eidgah came up next to a temple.

The eternal tradition is prevalent worldwide:

While discussing Kashmir, he said that there was an attempt to separate India from its territory. In Kashmir, 41 thousand people were killed. They understand the meaning of Sanatan. Sanatan means Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and Smritis. It means that which is eternal but not stationary. India’s Sanatan tradition has flourished throughout the world.

There will never be a division between North and South:

Addressing the ongoing disputes between the North and South, he mentioned that Shankaracharya was born in Kerala and devoted his life to Kedarnath. He established four dhams in India, originating from the South. What he did for India’s cultural heritage is incomparable. Whether it’s the son of Chidambaram Sahib or Stalin, everything may come to an end, but North and South will not be divided. He emphasized that DMK leaders should know that the origin of the Tamil language is also from the Sanskrit language.

India News Manch 2023: Acharya Pramod claims ‘DMK’ stands for dengue, malaria and ‘kode’

December 13, 2023, 12:44 pm

India News, as every year, has organized the country’s largest political forum. This event is taking place at the NDMC Convention Centre in Delhi. It commenced today, on December 13, and will continue until December 15, 2023. On the stage, prominent figures from the country engaged in candid discussions with pointed questions. Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam is among the key speakers at the India News Forum. He openly addressed questions on topics ranging from traditional values to current politics in a straightforward manner.

Why does Acharya show the mirror to Congress?

Responding to questions posed about showcasing the mirror to Congress, Acharya Pramod Krishnam remarked that being involved in politics does not always mean consistently speaking lies. He stated that this is a paradox in today’s politics. He mentioned that politics in the past was different, but now it has turned into a politics of comfort and ease.

DMK means Dengue, Malaria, and ‘Kode’ (leprosy)

Responding to questions about Sanatan, Acharya Pramod asserted that no one has a monopoly on Sanatan. What is true is what is eternal. Addressing further questions and commenting on Stalin, Acharya mentioned that defining Dengue, Malaria, and Kode (leprosy in Hindi) , a Congress leader said it is abbreviated as DMK. This is why DMK finds itself in its current situation. However, speaking the truth is the form of Sanatan.

Acharya Remarks on Satire about His Party

Responding to questions about the future of the Congress party, Acharya Pramod stated that he repeatedly mentions the need to change the party’s old faces to win elections. He said, “If we change the old faces of the party, we can win elections.” He also made an appeal to his party not to go against Lord Ram and to refrain from discussing caste divisions within the party. He emphasized that addressing these issues is crucial for the Congress to rise in politics.

Odisha: IT department obtains Rs 351 cr from Boudh Distilleries linked to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu

December 11, 2023, 5:51 pm

The Income Tax department has conducted searches on Boudh Distillery Private Limited, an Odisha-based company, and has so far uncovered a cash haul of Rs 351 crore. According to sources, the business is connected to Dheeraj Sahu, a Congress MP for the Rajya Sabha. The sources state that searches are still in progress. On December 6, the search was launched, encompassing 25 locations throughout Jharkhand and Odisha. In the meantime, the 176 bags of currency had been counted, and the IT department had deposited the appropriate amount in the government treasury.

Earlier in the day, the currency counting of 176 bags was completed after Income Tax raided properties connected to Dheeraj Sahu, The Income Tax department will deposit all the seized cash at the same bank in Balangir bank following the official procedure on Monday.
During the Income Tax raids at properties connected to Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu, huge stacks of currency notes were seized. According to sources the amount of cash recovered was in excess of Rs 300 crore.
Union Minister Amit Shah also criticised the Congress and members of the INDIA bloc for remaining silent on the raids
“I am very surprised. After independence, such a large amount of cash has been seized from an MP’s house. Crores of rupees have been recovered but the whole INDIA alliance is silent on this corruption. I understand Congress is silent as corruption is in their nature but JDU, RJD, DMK, and SP all are sitting silently…Now I understand why a campaign was run against PM Modi that agencies are being misused.

Premises linked to Tamil Nadu Minister EV Velu raided for fourth consecutive day in a row

November 6, 2023, 12:50 pm

For the fourth day in a row, income tax raids took place in the Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, offices of Minister of Public Works and Highways, EV Velu. The places where the searches were carried out were purportedly connected to the Minister. The IT Department had earlier conducted searches at four locations in the Karur district in relation to a suspected tax evasion case. Previous searches took place at businessman Suresh’s office in Gandhipuram area and at his residence in KVP Nagar, as well as at the home of Padma, the late DMK leader Vasugi Murugesan’s sister.

As per the sources, the I-T officers also conducted searches at EV Velu’s son Kamban’s residence in Thiruvannamalai. Kamban currently serves as the Director of Arunai Medical College and Hospital in Thiruvannamalai.
The raids at Kamban’s residence have been underway since Friday night, as per the sources.
IT raids were also conducted across various locations in Tamil Nadu related to contractors and suppliers of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) in relation to providing equipment.

Approximately ten locations in Chennai were raided last week, including India Private Limited and Radha Engineering Works Private Limited.

BJP vs. DMK: Clash over interpretation of Udhayanidhi’s remarks escalates, MK Stalin clarifies

September 7, 2023, 4:01 pm

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has come to the defense of his son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who recently faced controversy over his remarks about the discriminatory principles associated with Sanatan Dharma. In a statement issued on Thursday, CM Stalin clarified that Udhayanidhi’s comments were not intended to offend any religious beliefs but rather aimed at highlighting issues of discrimination against scheduled castes, tribals, and women.

Stalin accused pro-BJP forces of creating a “false narrative” against Udhayanidhi, who serves as the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs in the Tamil Nadu government. He asserted that the intention behind his son’s comments was to shed light on oppressive principles within Sanatan Dharma, emphasizing that there was no call for the “genocide” of people with Sanatan thoughts, as alleged by some.

“He (Udhayanidhi) expressed his views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against scheduled castes, tribals, and women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious beliefs. Pro-BJP forces are unable to tolerate his stance against oppressive principles and have spread a false narrative, alleging that ‘Udhayanidhi called for the genocide of people with Sanatan thoughts,'” Stalin said in his statement.

On Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's 'Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated', Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin says "He expressed his views on Sanatan principles that discriminate against Scheduled Castes, Tribals, and Women, with no intention to offend any religion or religious… pic.twitter.com/pq2GP0esRp

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2023

Stalin went on to criticize the social media campaigns initiated by the BJP, which he claimed had widely circulated the falsehood that Udhayanidhi had advocated for the eradication of Sanatan Dharma. He clarified that his son never used the word “genocide” in either Tamil or English while making his remarks.

The controversy began when BJP IT department head Amit Malviya took to social media, claiming that Udhayanidhi’s statement, “Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated,” amounted to a call for the “genocide” of the 80 percent of the population that follows it.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin, and a minister in the DMK Govt, has linked Sanatana Dharma to malaria and dengue… He is of the opinion that it must be eradicated and not merely opposed. In short, he is calling for genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who… pic.twitter.com/4G8TmdheFo

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 2, 2023

This episode highlights the ongoing political tensions and polarization in Tamil Nadu, with the ruling DMK and the opposition BJP clashing over differing interpretations of Udhayanidhi’s comments. As the controversy rages on, it remains to be seen how it will impact the political landscape in the state

Tamil Nadu: DMK supporters put up posters questioning Governor Ravi in Chennai

June 30, 2023, 11:42 am

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) supporters put up wall posters in Chennai on friday, questioning Governor RN Ravi and stating that there are Union Ministers who are still in the cabinet despite having multiple cases filed against them.
The posters were placed near the DMK headquarters in Teynampet, Chennai, at Anna Arivalayam.
The posters list the cases against BJP-led union government ministers and state that Ravi will write to Delhi to remove them from the union cabinet. This comes after Governor Ravi on Thursday decided to keep the dismissal order of the jailed DMK leader and state minister V Senthil Balaji in abeyance for the time being, sources said.
“Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi keeps the dismissal order of Minister V Senthil Balaji in abeyance. He will take the advice of the Attorney General on this matter,” they said.
Previously, the Governor dismissed Balaji from the Council of Ministers, days after his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had said the state government would challenge the governor’s decision legally. Speaking to reporters, Stalin said, “Governor doesn’t have the right (to dismiss a sitting minister) and we will face this legally.
“In an official release, Raj Bhavan said, “Minister V Senthil Balaji is facing serious criminal proceedings in a number of corruption cases including taking cash for jobs and money laundering…Under these circumstances, Governor has dismissed him from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.”
Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14 in a cash-for-jobs scam. He was later admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after he complained of chest pains. He was allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice. Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy stated on thursday that Governor RN Ravi made the ethically correct move by expelling DMK leader Senthil Balaji from the State Council of Ministers.

TN: Annamalai hits out at CM Stalin over BJP leader death

April 28, 2023, 2:03 pm

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai on Friday hit out at Chief Minister MK Stalin over the death of BJP leader PPG Shankar and said that the CM is not able to maintain law and order in the state.

Taking to Twitter, Annamalai said, “I was very shocked to hear the news that Valarpuram Panchayat Council President and BJP list team state treasurer PPG Shankar has been hacked to death by anti-social elements. The chief minister who has the police in his hands is not able to maintain law and order, he is deceiving the public by pretending to be the number 1 chief minister.” He further said that the police, which is supposed to protect the life and property of the people, has been turned into a “propaganda department of the ruling party”.

“It is clear from the daily crime incidents that law and order is not under control under the DMK regime”, he added.He demanded strict action against the culprits and also said that delaying the same would invite protests across the state.

“I warn that the culprits should be found immediately and strict action should be taken and if such crimes continue, there will be protests across the state”, Annamalai said.

According to the police, BJP SC/ST wing state treasurer and Valarpuram panchayat president PPG Shankar was hacked to death by a gang on the outskirts of Chennai on Thursday night.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief releases ‘DMK Files’ claim of exposing all scams of stalin govt

April 14, 2023, 2:13 pm

Tamil Nadu BJP state presindent K Annamalai on Friday released ‘DMK Files’ alleging DMK top ministers and CM MK Stalin’s family members of having unaccounted assets.

While addressing the mediapersons, Annamalai said, “We have released DMK files part 1 today. It is going to be a series throughout the year. We have only disclosed the direct assets, their shareholdings in a company and the valuation of the properties they own.” He added, “We haven’t gone beyond it. The most concerning question is, how is DMK becoming part of the largest money laundering business worldwide.”
He stated, “We want to reflect the true vision of PM Modi, that we’re a party which takes up issues that matters to the public.”

“We’re starting a ‘Padyatra’ to expose DMK scams from the first week of June, our party leaders will walk across Tamil Nadu,” Annamalai said.
“Not only DMK scams, but we will oppose scams by all parties. I will open up everything to the Tamil Nadu people. Let’s see who the Tamil Nadu people are going to vote for. This is a fight against corruption and not just our fight against one party. I will not stop here.” he further stated.

He added, “My land, my people. We are starting a Yatra to expose all these DMK scams to people. Each BJP cadre would go to this Yatra. This Yatra will begin in the first week of June. You all should participate in this Yatra.”

On April 4, K Annamalai lashed out at the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over his remarks regarding social justice.The state BJP chief pointed out that the DMK government had objected to the reservation for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

Criminal defamation complaint against Krishnamurthy by TN Governor over hate speech.

January 19, 2023, 4:31 pm

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi filed a criminal defamation complaint against DMK’s suspended leader Shivaji Krishnamurthy for his hate speech against the Governor. The complaint has been filed in the PSJ court by the City Public Prosecutor after the state government sanctioned it.

On 14^th January, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu suspended Krishnamurthy from all his posts, and the primary party membership for using ‘abusive and derogatory’ language against Governor R.N. Ravi. Addressing an event last week, Krishnamurthy said, “If the Governor refuses to utter the name of Ambedkar in his Assembly speech, do I not have the right to assault him?” Krishnamurthy said.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi is to arrive Delhi on 13 January

January 12, 2023, 4:15 pm

Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi is to arrive in Delhi on Thursday. This is RN Ravi’s sudden visit to the national capital. Earlier in the day DMK delegation met President Droupadi Murmu and submitted a file on the governor issues in the state.

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.

Chennai: Two DMK youth wing supporters allegedly harassed woman police personnel, arrested

January 2, 2023, 10:17 am

Two DMK Youth Wing members were arrested after they allegedly harassed a woman police personnel during a public event the DMK political party sponsored in Chennai, according to sources.

Speaking for TN Health, Ma Subramanian, and DMK MP Kanimozhi were also present at the meeting.

Although the two suspects were also arrested by the Virugambakkam police, no charge has been filed.

The leader of the Tamil Nadu BJP, Annamalai, tweeted about this occurrence as well.

Disgraceful state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. Governance is in deep slumber.

Two DMK Youth wing functionaries molested a police constable on protection duty in a public meeting in which MP Smt @KanimozhiDMK avargal participated. (1/2)
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) January 2, 2023

Annamalai stated in a tweet, “Disgraceful state of affairs in Tamil Nadu. Governance is in deep slumber. Two DMK Youth wing functionaries molested a police constable on protection duty in a public meeting in which MP Smt Kanimozhi avargal participated”.

He also added, “What’s more disgusting is that the DMK men ganged up and stopped police from arresting those two individuals. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu as usual, continues to be a silent spectator to this”.

Centre step-motherly towards Tamil refugees; CAA arbitrary: DMK to SC

November 30, 2022, 1:14 pm

According to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) the Citizenship (amendment) Act of 2019 is “arbitrary” as it only considers religious minorities from three countries while it has kept Sri Lankan Tamils staying in India as refugees.
The central administration “categorically avoided talking about the situation facing the Tamil refugees. Due to Respondent No. 1’s (Centre) stepmotherly treatment of the Tamil refugees, they now live in constant fear of deportation and have no certainty of their future “said the affidavit that DMK submitted. The DMK claimed that the CAA is “arbitrary” because it only applies to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and only six religious communities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian Communities), specifically excluding Islam.
DMK filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, it has challenged the CAA in its plea. DMK said that even while considering religious minorities, the Tamils of Indian origin who are presently staying in India after they fled from Sri Lanka due to persecution are considered as refugees by the Centre.
The plea termed the Act ‘against Tamil race’ and keeps out the similarly placed Tamils who are residing in Tamil Nadu from the purview of the Act.
“The impugned Act ignores the reality that for several decades Tamil refugees who have settled in Tamil Nadu are deprived with fundamental rights and other rights due to non-citizenship and due to non-naturalisation and the impugned Act does not provide for any reasons to exclude them,” stated the affidavit filed by organising secretary RS Bharati, the governing party of Tamil Nadu.
It further added, “Being stateless, they have been denied of employment in the government services or in organised private sectors, the right to hold property, right to vote, enjoyment of government benefits received by the citizens and others despite there being an agreement for the same.”
Due to such an ambiguity, they are forced to stay in camps where they are often exploited having no prospects of security in future, said the DMK in its affidavit.

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.