Page 2 - Dmk

DMK MP A Raja summoned in disproportionate assets case worth Rs 5.53 cr

A special court here on Wednesday summoned DMK Lok Sabha MP A Raja to appear in person in connection with the disproportionate assets case. The case is related to the 2015 disproportionate assets case in which the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) chargesheet indicted Raja, now representing the Nilgiris parliamentary constituency. As per the chargesheet filed against Raja in August 2022, as a Union minister in 2007 he had allegedly granted infrastructure status to a Gurugram-based real-estate firm to build a hotel in Kancheepuram district in exchange for money. The chargesheet alleged that the real-estate firm routed the payment of Rs 4.56 crore to Raja through a company named Kovai Shelters Private Limited belonging to a close aide of the former Union minister. Raja's relatives are also the directors of the firm. The CBI had charged him with amassing assets worth Rs 5.53 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income. The case was transferred to a special court that

Performance high on BJP's agenda in Tamil Nadu for 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Faced with a crucial ideological battle against the ruling DMK, a disunited AIADMK frantically engrossed in leadership tussle as ally, and few disgruntled elements within the party, BJP Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai hopes to cruise through political choppy waters to ensure the lotus blooms in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He has set the goals high for the party members, mandating them to perform or give way to talented persons, who may be newcomers, a senior leader in the party said. "Annamalai's recent analogy of accommodating new passengers if some passengers get off the bus, is seen as a warning to the party members to perform. Those working against the party's interest or don't show results may not have a place in the party," says M Chakravarthy, state vice president. It is very crucial for the party cadres to sustain the momentum built by Annamalai who has made the BJP a strong force in the state, he said. "The Lok Sabha election and also the 2026 Assembly polls will turn out to

TN's ruling DMK accuses Governor Ravi of having political agenda

The ruling DMK on Saturday alleged that Governor R N Ravi was sent to Tamil Nadu by the Centre with "some agenda," and accused him of "doing politics" over the recent Coimbatore blast. When the Tamil Nadu government recommended probe by the National Investigation Agency into the Coimbatore matter within two days, Ravi claimed "delay" (in handing over the case to NIA) and chances of destruction of evidence due to it," the governing party's Tamil mouthpiece "Murasoli" said in an opinion piece. Now, BJP-ruled Karnataka has handed over probe in the Mengaluru blast to the NIA after a gap of about six days, Murasoli said. Going by Ravi's rule of thumb, would not this "delay" have led to destruction of evidence, the DMK daily wondered. The Coimbatore blast occurred on October 23 and it was handed over to NIA on October 26 by the State government while officials of the national agency joined hands with State police from the next day of the explosion, it said. Seeking to corner Ravi, the ..

Meritocracy & reservations

Has merit become a bad word in India? For India's exceptional human resources to remain in the country, it needs to phase out all caste, community, and income-based reservations

Political parties, some groups seek a review of SC order on EWS quota

Some groups and political parties are seeking a review of the recent Supreme Court order on quotas for EWS

Kanimozhi apologises for DMK spokesperson's remarks on BJP women leaders

DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, sister of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin apologised for remarks made by her party spokesperson against BJP woman leaders Khushbu Sundar, Namitha, Gouthami

Jayalalithaa death case: Troubles continue for V K Sasikala in Tamil Nadu

Though she is banned from contesting elections for another four years, supporters believe that she can be a possible alternative to the DMK in the state

TN taking steps to withstand possible recession: State finance minister

"Governance is akin to playing a game of chess, where you have to plan at least two-three moves ahead. We plan things ahead for next six months as well as two years ahead," he said.

50 BJP women cadres arrested for trying to show black flags to DMK MP Raja

Over 50 BJP cadres, mostly women, were arrested on Saturday for attempting to show black flags to DMK MP A Raja for his alleged remarks against Hindu religion and women, police said. Raja was scheduled to arrive at the airport here this evening and the BJP Women's wing members and a few others assembled at Kalapatti near the airport to show black flags to him. The women cadres with flags raised slogans against the DMK leader and they were arrested, police said. Raja arrived by a flight and was welcomed by DMK cadres and alliance party members. Raja, the DMK deputy general secretary had recently stoked a controversy over his Shudra remark and drew the BJP's ire with the saffron party accusing him of spewing hatred against a community to appease others. Shudras, the Nilgiris MP claimed, were insulted in Manusmrithi and denied equality, education, employment and entry into temples. "You are a Shudra till you remain a Hindu. You are the son of a prostitute till you remain as Shudra.

DMK to launch protest in Tamil Nadu against Centre's 'Hindi imposition'

DMK's youth and students wing has announced a statewide protest in against the recommendation of the parliamentary panel to make Hindi the medium of instruction in central educational institutes

Tamil Nadu guv speaking like RSS: DMK on remarks over Dravidian identity

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi's assertion that the concept of Dravidian covers the people of southern states but it has now become a Tamil identity due to politics of division, was dismissed by the ruling DMK as a statement coming from a "RSS man" and not from one holding a gubernatorial position. The opposition AIADMK, however, endorsed the Governor's view saying the Dravidian origin encompasses the geographical territory of the five states in the south of the country, and that the DMK was indulging in political rhetoric to serve its purpose. Speaking at the inaugural of a two-day programme on 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat - Connecting India' series held at the Raj Bhavan here on Monday, the Governor said India was a name given to the country. "In order to understand this nation, one has to understand Bharat, whose several thousands of years of civilisation gives us pride," he said. "Unfortunately, during British rule, we got divided. Later, we started getting fragmented on political

Industry considers options as Tamil Nadu ordinance bans online gaming

Sector takes hope from High Courts previously overturning such prohibitions by state governments

DMK is playing petty politics, not following cooperative federalism: Nadda

BJP national chief J P Nadda on Friday mounted a scathing attack on the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu accusing it of indulging in petty politics, legitimising corruption and not working in the spirit of cooperative federalism. It was a sorry state of affairs that the leaders of this Dravidian party are playing the blame game whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and his BJP believed in development and upliftment of all sections of people, he claimed. The BJP chief lashed out at DMK's ally, the Congress, saying the party which has been representing Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency (now represented by Karti P Chidambaram) for long, has done precious little for development. Addressing reporters here, Nadda said people from different political parties besides large number of women, youth and from other sections were joining the BJP in support of pro-development policies of the Prime Minister who has a special place in his heart for Tamil Nadu. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi belie

BJP leader files complaint with Om Birla against DMK's Raja on hate speech

A senior Tamil Nadu BJP functionary on Tuesday said he has filed a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against A Raja for his alleged hate speech against Hindus and wanted the DMK MP to be refrained from contesting in future elections. CTR Nirmal Kumar, State President IT and Social Media, wanted action against Raja for his "unethical" act. "Complaint filed as affidavit against @dmk_raja before honorable @loksabhaspeaker under rule 233A(4) conduct of Business In Lok Sabha, for unethical act of hate speech against Hindus, Shri A.Raja should be refrain(ed) from contesting any elections in future," Kumar said in a tweet. He also uploaded the complaint filed with the LS Speaker. Raja, the DMK deputy general secretary had recently stoked a controversy over his Shudra remark and drew the BJP's ire with the saffron party accusing him of spewing hatred against a community to appease others. Shudras, the Nilgiris MP claimed, were insulted in Manusmrithi and denied equality, educati

DMK Deputy General Secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan quits party membership

DMK Deputy General Secretary Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan resigned from her post and the primary membership of the party on Tuesday

Power tariff in Tamil Nadu lower than in other states: Electricity Minister

Power tariff in Tamil Nadu is cheap compared to other States, State Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji said on Friday. The picture would be clear if one compared the tariff paid in 2010 and the revised one and also the tariff in other States, he told reporters here. The previous regime increased the tariff by 64 per cent, whereas the present DMK government hiked only Rs 55 per two months for 63 lakh consumers, he said. As far as the powerloom job working unit owners are concerned, the weavers in Tamil Nadu are getting the cheapest power compared to other States and only 70 paise is increased in the revised tariff, he said adding that they can also compare the rates during the AIADMK period with the present rate, Senthil Balaji said. The revised power tariff of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO) came into effect last Saturday despite opposition by various political parties. The new tariff, approved by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commiss

10 DMK legislators in touch with AIADMK leadership, claims Palaniswami

He also ruled out any possibility of V.K. Sasikala and her nephew T.T.V. Dhinakaran coming back to the party fold, saying that AIADMK cadres do not want them

Political vendetta spoilt prospects on TN desalination plant: Palaniswami

AIADMK leader K Palaniswami on Friday accused the ruling DMK of stalling the desalination project in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu due to political vendetta and sought its immediate revival. Though a foundation stone for the Rs 1,502.72-crore project was laid during his tenure as Chief Minister, the plan could not be implemented because of change in regime, he claimed. Preliminary work for the desalination plant to provide 60 MLD (million litres per day) water daily for 692 rural habitations besides urban areas commenced during the AIADMK rule. But, the project could not be implemented due to the regime change last year, he said. He alleged that the ruling DMK had little concern for the drinking water problem in the district and demanded allocation of funds to recommence the project. The DMK government abandoned the project as it was started by the then AIADMK government, Palaniswami claimed. Villupuram and Kallakurichi districts are most backward, agrarian districts. Already

Welfare schemes help uplift weaker sections, can't be termed freebies: DMK

Welfare schemes provide uplift of weaker sections and cannot be described as "freebies", the DMK has told the Supreme Court. Opposing the plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking action against political parties for promising freebies during elections, the DMK said the petition is "politically motivated" as the petitioner belongs to a political party which was locked in a political battle during Punjab elections at the time of filing this PIL. It alleged the present petition lacks merit and is filed to settle political scores with another rival political party in Punjab. "The yardstick to be applied for classifying a welfare scheme to be a 'freebie' cannot be so rigid that every service provided by the government to its citizens be termed as a freebie. "If such a meaning is applied, it would render all government facilities such as education, healthcare to be freebies, which is unconscionable," submissions filed by senior advocate P Wilson on behalf of DMK, said. The DMK said

Movement of illegal drugs rampant under DMK rule, says AIADMK leader

AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu minister, D Jayakumar said the movement of illegal drugs was rampant during the 14 months of the DMK government