AIADMK workers maintain low profile

AIADMK workers maintain low profile

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:10.04.2021

AIADMK partymen have been maintaining a low profile, resigned to the long wait for the assembly election results. In the last three days, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami chose to remain mostly indoors in Salem, meeting only a few ministers andcandidates, sources said, adding he was down with acute laryngitis. In an unprecedented move, the party took on the bureaucracy, urging the election commission on Thursday to transfer four senior police officers from the western region, alleging they sided with the opposition DMK during the election.

“The CM is disappointed that grassroot workers did not work as hard as expected in the run-up to the polls. Many functionaries did not campaign like they used to when Amma (J Jayalalithaa) was there. Her presence intimidated many,” said a senior leader. Palaniswami is scheduled to return to Chennai on Saturday evening, after his visit to Theni to condole the death of deputy CM O Panneerselvam’s mother-in-law. Leaders are expected to visit the CM at his Greenways Road residence. Meanwhile, Palaniswami took his second dose of Covid vaccination at the Salem government hospital and urged people to follow Covid norms and the standard operating procedures.

Revenue minister R B Udhayakumar said AIADMK cadres were in an upbeat mood, confident that the party would form a government for the third consecutive term. “It is history repeating itself. In 1977, the DMK went about organising a victory function. But MGR (AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran) won the assembly election that year,” said the minister.

A section in the AIADMK, however, say that the DMK’s anti-BJP narrative in the final stages of the campaign may have influenced the “swinging voters” and the AIADMK leadership failed to counter it effectively.

(With inputs from Padmini Sivarajah)

‘Is Modi aware of graft in AIADMK?’

BAND WAGON

‘Is Modi aware of graft in AIADMK?’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

31.03.2021 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is speaking about eradicating corruption, should read the complaints of alleged corruption indulged in by AIADMK ministers which were forwarded to the governor, DMK president M K Stalin said. He was campaigning in Tenkasi and Virudhunagar districts on Tuesday.

At Alangulam in Tenkasi, Stalin accused the PM of lying. He ridiculed Modi for raising the hands of CM Palaniswami and deputy CM O Panneerselvam while saying that corruption would be eradicated. At Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district, he said Modi has stated that there would be no safety for women if the DMK and Congress came to power. “Are you aware of the horrific Pollachi incident and the incident where a woman IPS officer had lodged sexual harassment complaint against the special DGP of the state,” he asked the PM.

He also asked whether Modi bothered to resolve the issues of farmers striking in Delhi for hundreds of days by speaking to their representatives. Referring to the resolutions passed by Kerala and West Bengal assemblies against the Centre, Stalin said CM Palaniswami, who refers to himself as a farmer, has not passed such a resolution in the TN assembly. He claimed that BJP will continue to score a ‘zero’ in this election as well.

In his campaigns, Stalin said, he usually appeals to the people to vote for the DMK and its alliance candidates. But, in Rajapalayam, he said he is requesting the people not to vote for minister for milk and dairy development K T Rajenthra Bhalaji.

There’s no permanent CM, says OPS

There’s no permanent CM, says OPS

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

25.03.2021 

The divisions within the AIADMK came into the open when deputy chief minister and AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam asserted that there was no “dual leadership” in the party nor “a permanent chief minister”. The AIADMK leader said he had a lot of respect for former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s closeaide V K Sasikala and that he remained a loyal friend to her nephew and AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran.

“The administration is run by a single leadership. And, there is no dual leadership in the party. He (EPS) steers the government and I extend support to him. Similarly, I am the coordinator of the party and he supports me. This is our mutual relationship,” Panneerselvam said in an interview to a Tamil television channel telecast on Tuesday.

Panneerselvam’s remarks come against the backdrop of a caste backlash in the mukkulathor-dominated Bodinayakkanur constituency where he is contesting as the AIADMK candidate. The Edappadi K Palaniswami government had announced internal reservation for the vanniyar community within the 20% MBC quota minutes before the Election Commission issued the poll notification for the April 6 assembly election. The mukkulathor caste is a sub-sect of the thevar community to which both Sasikala and OPS belong.

But Panneerselvam’s pro-Sasikala remarks have upset the EPS camp that has stoutly opposed her reinduction into the party as well as a merger of the AIADMK and AMMK. “EPS was quite upset and met OPS at a private hotel in Salem on Wednesday morning and was closeted with him for 15 minutes,” said a source privy to the meeting. “EPS requested OPS to refrain from making statements that may jeopardize the electoral prospects of the party. The leaders also discussed election strategies,” said the source. Panneerselvam reached Salem on Tuesday night to campaign in Salem and Edappadi, while Palaniswami took a break from electioneering on Tuesday and was at his Salem residence. EPS is the AIADMK’s candidate in Edappadi.

In the interview, Panneerselvam said he had “no suspicion about Sasikala in Jayalalithaa’s death” nor did he have anything against her. The AIADMK, he said, could consider taking her back on humanitarian basis, if she accepted the “present set-up” of the party.

“OPS has expressed his views going by his conscience. He is known to speak responsibly after giving much thought. If he says something it must be true only,” AIADMK spokesman Kovai K Selvaraj said. A section, however, feels the comments were unwarranted when the party is fighting a tough poll battle.

“Today, he (EPS) is the chief minister. No one knows who will become CM after him. Only those who possess qualification and ability will get an opportunity,” OPS said in the interview.

INSTANT FEEDBACK: Following his deputy O Panneerselvam’s remarks on Tuesday, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami met with OPS in a hotel in Salem on Wednesday and urged him to refrain from making such comments

IN THE INTERVIEW, PANNEERSELVAM SAID HE HAD “NO SUSPICION ABOUT SASIKALA IN JAYALALITHAA’S DEATH” NOR DID HE HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST HER. THE AIADMK, HE SAID, COULD CONSIDER TAKING HER BACK ON HUMANITARIAN BASIS, IF SHE ACCEPTED THE PRESENT PARTY SET-UP

Use of Aadhaar data by BJP to woo voters: HC seeks EC report

Use of Aadhaar data by BJP to woo voters: HC seeks EC report

Chennai:26.03.2021 

The Madras high court on Wednesday chided the Election Commission over its failure to probe complaints about the Puducherry unit of the BJP illegally accessing Aadhaar data and using it to reach voters in the Union territory and asked it to file a report by March 26, reports Sureshkumar K.

“A matter of serious concern has been reported by the petitioner that a prominent political party has access to personal records of citizens to undertake a political campaign. It will not do for the ECI to say cyber crimes division is conducting an investigation. When the commission is up and about in all other matters and asserts its primacy and authority, it has to look into this allegation immediately and with the degree of seriousness that it deserves,” a bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said.

‘952 groups created using Aadhaar data’

AAnand, president of the Democratic Youth Foundation of India’s Puducherry unit, said in his petition that local BJP candidates had obtained the mobile phone numbers of voters that are linked with Aadhaar and were using them to create WhatsApp groups in their respective constituencies for campaigning.

“Multiple WhatsApp groups have been formed in the Union territory using the same phone number specifically targeting voters in respective booths and constituencies through messages,” said advocate M N Sumathy, who is representing the petitioner.

When the petitioner tried to reach the administrator of one such group, he came to know there were 952 WhatsApp groups created with voter details obtained from Aadhaar data, Sumathy added.

The petitioner also said that voters have been receiving calls from the BJP seeking votes with accurate details such as names, election booths and constituencies from which they will be voting.

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK candidate impresses voters by washing cloths to indicate manifesto assurance

Tamil Nadu polls: AIADMK candidate impresses voters by washing cloths to indicate manifesto assurance

Kathiravan is AIADMK’s Nagapattinam town secretary. The 50-year-old candidate contests his first assembly elections after being rewarded with a ticket for his active party work.

Published: 22nd March 2021 09:34 PM |

AIADMK's Nagapattinam candidate T Kathjravan canvasses votes by washing clothes in public near Nagore on Monday. (Photo | EPS)

By Express News Service

NAGAPATTINAM: AIADMK’s candidate for Nagapattinam assembly constituency made heads turn on Monday as he washed clothes of a woman in public while he was canvassing votes in the public.

T Kathjravan, prominently known as Thanga Kathiravan, AIADMK’s candidate for Nagapattinam assembly constituency, made quite a buzz when he went canvassing votes near Nagore Monday. As he and other party functionaries were canvassing votes door-to-door in Vandipettai, he saw a woman washing the clothes of her family members. Kathjravan approached the woman and offered to wash a few clothes. After initial reluctance and awkwardness, the woman gave a few cloths.

Kathiravan sat down and washed them for a few minutes. He also washed a few vessels kept next to him. The residents were awed and impressed by the stunt the Kathjravan pulled on the spot.

When TNIE sought why he chose to wash clothes where he had went for canvassing, Kathjravan said, “Our Amma’s government will give washing machines as assured once it comes to power again. Women and homemakers may never have to hurt their hands when they get their washing machines. The government would take care of it. I washed clothes just to indicate and prove my point.”

Kathiravan is AIADMK’s Nagapattinam town secretary. The 50-year-old candidate contests his first assembly elections after being rewarded with a ticket for his active party work.

DMK files plea against ministers

DMK files plea against ministers

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

17.03.2021 

The DMK has filed petitions to the state chief electoral officer (CEO) against state health minister C Vijayabaskar and former minister Natham R Viswanathan for violating the model code of conduct and demanded strict action against them.

DMK’s organising secretary R S Bharathi stated that the health minister has been continuously posting his election campaigns and field visits in the official website - http:/stopcorona.tn.gov.in that was maintained by the Tamil Nadu government. In another petition, he stated that former minister Viswanathan and his supporters were trying to bribe the voters and also attached the photographs to support their claims.

He also urged the CEO to take appropriate action against a website - http:/mutturpullifordmk.com/for spreading untruthful contents against the party and their party chief M K Stalin.

He said it was in violation of the MCC and requested the CEO to remove the untruthful contents from the website and prohibit it.

பல்லாவரம் வேட்பாளர்களுக்கு மக்கள் அறிவிப்பு

பல்லாவரம் வேட்பாளர்களுக்கு மக்கள் அறிவிப்பு

Added : மார் 16, 2021 06:03

குரோம்பேட்டை - பல்லாவரம் தொகுதியில் உள்ள முக்கிய பிரச்னைகளுக்கு தீர்வு காண்பதாக, உறுதியளிக்கும் வேட்பாளரை ஆதரிக்கப்போவதாக, அப்பகுதி மக்கள் அறிவித்துள்ளனர்.வெற்றி பெறும் வேட்பாளர், பாதாள சாக்கடை உள்ளிட்ட முக்கிய பிரச்னைகள் குறித்து சிறப்பு கவனம் செலுத்தி விசாரிக்க வேண்டும் என தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். பல்லாவரம் தொகுதியில், தி.மு.க., - இ.கருணாநிதி, அ.தி.மு.க., - சிட்லப்பாக்கம் ராஜேந்திரன், தே.மு.தி.க., - முருகேசன், மக்கள் நீதி மய்யம் - செந்தில் ஆறுமுகம் ஆகியோர் போட்டியிடுகின்றனர்.இவர்கள், தொகுதியில் உள்ள நலச்சங்கத்தினரை சந்தித்து, ஆதரவு திரட்டி வருகின்றனர். அ.தி.மு.க., வேட்பாளரான சிட்லப்பாக்கம் ராஜேந்திரன், நேற்று முன்தினம், குரோம்பேட்டை மக்கள் விழிப்புணர்வு மையத்தின் நிர்வாகிகளை சந்தித்து, ஆதரவு திரட்டினார்.அப்போது, விழிப்புணர்வு மையத்தினர், எட்டு கோரிக்கைகளை முன்வைத்தனர். பல்லாவரம் நகராட்சியை, சென்னை மாநகராட்சியுடன் இணைக்க வேண்டும் நீர்நிலைகளை காப்பாற்றி, சீரமைக்க வேண்டும் சாலை ஆக்கிரமிப்புகளை அகற்ற வேண்டும் குப்பைக்கு வரி வசூலிப்பதை கைவிட வேண்டும்குரோம்பேட்டை அரசு மருத்துவமனையின் தரத்தை உயர்த்த வேண்டும்பல்லாவரம் நகராட்சி பாதாள சாக்கடை திட்ட ஊழல் குறித்து விசாரிக்க வேண்டும் உள்ளிட்ட கோரிக்கைகளை முன்வைத்தனர். இதைக்கேட்ட, சிட்லப்பாக்கம் ராஜேந்திரன், வெற்றி பெற்றவுடன், கோரிக்கைகளை நிறைவேற்றுவதாக உறுதியளித்தார். இதே கோரிக்கைகளை, பிற கட்சிகளை சேர்ந்த வேட்பாளர்களிடமும் முன்வைத்துள்ளனர்.

AIADMK rolls out 'high cost' promises to woo women, students, unemployed youth

AIADMK rolls out 'high cost' promises to woo women, students, unemployed youth

Taking forward the promise of freebies further, the party has promised a washing machine to each rice card holder.

Published: 14th March 2021 09:52 PM 

By T Muruganandham

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The ruling AIADMK which has vowed to retain power for a record third consecutive term, on Sunday rolled out ‘high cost’ electoral promises to all sections of the society especially the women, students and unemployed youth.

Taking forward the promise of freebies further, the party has promised a washing machine to each rice card holder. Also, the key promises aimed at lessening the financial burden of the common man include provision of six gas cylinders per year free of cost.

AIADMK top brass Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam released the manifesto which has 163 promises, at the party headquarters in the presence of senior leaders of the party.

The manifesto has reiterated a key promise already made by Palaniswami but may have a paradigm shift in the reservation system in the State: Steps will be taken to conduct caste-wise census to ensure the development of people of all communities in accordance with their proportionate population. This follows the complaints that the government has allocated 10.5 percent reservation to the Vanniyar community alone and other communities might be affected by this move.

The major promises for women include Rs.1,500 per month assistance for women, Cable TV connection free of cost, washing machines and solar-power cooking stove for all family card-holders to ease the work burden of the women, 50 percent reduction in bus fare for women who travel in city buses and increasing maternity leave for women government employees to one year.

The promises for students include waiver of educational loans availed by by students, 2GB free data for college students throughout the year, subsidy for buying two wheelers to girl students who are studying in colleges, extension of nutritious noon meal schemes to the standards IX, X, XI and XII and provision of 200 ml of milk to all students from Anganwadi to Higher Secondary courses. A high-quality training centre would be established in each district to encourage the students who wish to take examinations like UPSC, NEET, IIT-JEE and TNPSC.

The promises aimed at wooing unemployed youth include government employment for one person from families who have no government employee till now and starting IT Parks in every district to generate more employment opportunities, establishing a separate university for skill development, allocation of Rs.3,500 crore for skill development training, doubling the monthly assistance being given to unemployed youth and provision of start-up loans for young entrepreneurs who wish to launch their business ventures.

Asked how the State government would get the financial requirements that are needed for implementing electoral promises like providing washing machines etc., since already the government is facing financial crunch, Palaniswami quipped: "Did you pose the same question to the DMK? We have fulfilled our promises made in 2011 and 2016. Similarly, we will fulfil the present promises too by increasing the financial resources of the government.

Some of the common promises both DMK and AIADMK have made include MSP for banana, turmeric, tapioca, millets, etc; subsidy for buying auto rickshaws, loan facility for unemployed youth to start their business ventures; monthly calculation of electricity bill; enhancing the maternity leave for women government employees to 12 months and supply of milk for school students.

Under the Amma House Scheme, for those who are not possessing their own houses, the government will buy lands in rural areas and build concrete houses. In urban areas, multi-storey residential quarters will be built in government lands.

Under the Kula Vilakku Scheme, Rs.1,500 will be paid into the bank accounts of housewives of all family cardholders with a view to attain economic equality; in families which have only men, the amount will be credited to the bank accounts of the head of the family.

The AIADMK has promised that all essential commodities supplied through ration shops will be delivered at the doorsteps of the cardholders. DMDK founder Vijayakanth mooted this idea and made it his election promise many years ago.

Aiming at helping the farmers, the AIADMK manifesto promised that farmers will be given Rs.7,500 as agricultural subsidy while ensuring Minimum Support Price for turmeric, onion, tapioca, paddy, sugarcane, banana and millets. The Central government will be urged to provide MSP to paddy on par with wheat. Also considering the production cost for paddy and sugarcane, the State government’s incentive for them would be increased. Also, with a view devise schemes for making agriculture a profit making profession, State Agricultural Authority will be formed. A new scheme for providing agricultural equipment like tractors, bulldozers etc., on rent will be started. To encourage improving arid lands as agricultural lands, an agricultural research centre will be started in association with Israel universities. To improve the rural economy, the Animal Husbandry Board will be launched.

Asked about his views on the DMK's election manifesto, Palaniswami said: "The DMK has given as electoral promises the schemes which I announced already and started implementing already. For example, the crop loan waiver for farmers, waiver of gold jewel loans availed by the poor, waiver of loans of women's Self Help Groups and three phase power supply for farmers.

On the electoral promise of the DMK that separate courts would be set up to hear corruption cases, the Chief Minister said "It is the DMK which is known for engaging in corrupt deeds. Till now, corruption cases against 13 former Ministers are pending before the courts. Let the DMK face them first. They have been deferring the cases by getting more and more hearings.

Responding to a question on the Arumugasamy Commission, Palaniswami said, "DMK leaders M Karunanidhi and his son were responsible for the death of Amma (J Jayalalithaa) since the DMK has challenged the court verdict which acquitted her in cases. People of the State know well why Amma died. The Almighty and Amma's soul will punish them.

திருவாரூரில் இன்று ஸ்டாலின் பிரசாரம்

திருவாரூரில் இன்று ஸ்டாலின் பிரசாரம்

Added : மார் 14, 2021 23:56

சென்னை; தி.மு.க., தலைவர் ஸ்டாலின், இன்று தேர்தல் பிரசாரத்தை, திருவாரூரில் துவக்குகிறார்.

தி.மு.க., தலைமை அறிக்கை: தி.மு.க., மற்றும் கூட்டணி வேட்பாளர்களை ஆதரித்து, கட்சி தலைவர் ஸ்டாலின், இன்று, கருணாநிதி பிறந்த மண்ணான, திருவாரூர் தெற்கு ரத வீதியில் பிரசார பயணத்தை துவக்குகிறார். திருவாரூர், மன்னார்குடி, நன்னிலம் ஆகிய மூன்று தொகுதிகளில் போட்டியிடும், தி.மு.க., வேட்பாளர்களை ஆதரித்து, பிரசாரம் செய்கிறார்.இவ்வாறு, அறிக்கையில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.

'கூர்மையான போர்க்கருவி' தி.மு.க., தொண்டர்களுக்கு ஸ்டாலின் எழுதிய கடிதம்: தி.மு.க., தேர்தல் அறிக்கை என்பது, பொதுமக்களின் மனதில் ஆழமாகப் பதிந்து விட்ட கதாநாயகன்; தொண்டர்களின் கையில் ஒரு பெரும் போர்க்கருவி. ஜனநாயக அறப்போர்க்களத்தில், கூர்மையான அந்தப் போர்க்கருவியை முழுவீச்சோடு பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும் என, கட்சித் தொண்டர்கள் ஒவ்வொருவரிடமும் கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறேன்.

ஒவ்வொரு வாக்காளரையும் சந்தித்து, கட்சியின் தேர்தல் அறிக்கையில் உள்ள வற்றை தெளிவு படுத்துங்கள். இவை, வெறும் வாக்குறுதிகள் அல்ல; வருங்கால தமிழகத்தின் வளர்ச்சிக்கான வரைவு ஆவணம்; ஒப்பந்தப் பத்திரம் என்பதை எடுத்துக் கூறி, 234 தொகுதிகளிலும் முழுமையாக வெல்வோம்.இவ்வாறு அவர் கூறியுள்ளார்.

AIADMK plays freebie card to retain power

AIADMK plays freebie card to retain power

Offers Govt Jobs, Free Gas; To Shut Liquor Shops

D.Govardan@timesgroup.com

15.03.2021 

The ruling AIADMK on Sunday dangled several free offers, from houses to washing machines, and loan waivers, if voted back to power. The party manifesto was released by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam at the party headquarters in Chennai on Sunday evening.

The AIADMK and its rival DMK have been competing with each other to offer welfare schemes, jobs and free housing. The DMK manifesto, released on Saturday, was replete with sops, targeting women and youth. According to the final electoral roll, female voters are marginally higher at 3.18 crore against 3.08 crore male voters.

Trying to match the DMK, the AIADMK reiterated its plan to pay ₹1,500 for housewives every month and deliver six LPG domestic cylinders free of cost. It also offered 50% concession in bus fares for women travelling in town buses. The party had announced this on International Women’s Day.

Leading the slew of freebies offered by the AIADMK was the Amma Housing scheme, which will provide free houses to the homeless. While in the rural areas, the government will buy housing sites and build concrete houses for free, in urban areas it will construct residential apartments for the homeless on government land.

It has promised a government job to at least one member of every household. The DMK had promised 75% jobs to Tamils in the state. Promising free washing machines and solar stoves for all BPL families, the AIADMK has offered free cable TV service to all households.

“People have largely benefited from this government. While those affected by natural disasters have been compensated, ‘kudimaramathu’ work to cleanse waterways helped save every drop of water,” Palaniswami told reporters.

Farmers will be paid ₹7,500 a year as sustenance allowance. Fixing MSPs for cash crops, subsidized loan to buy farm equipment have been promised. The party, which has already waived crop loans, offered to clear education loans of students, a promise made by the DMK too. It said 2GB free data will be given to students throughout the year.

“The socially-deprived people, who continue to struggle to make both ends meet, have to be taken care of by the government by offering such gadgets to socially elevate them. Unfortunately, washing machines need running water and offering them free in a state where piped water supply remains a dream for a large majority of households, seems a bit of an aberration,” an AIADMK insider, who did not want to be named, told TOI.

“Waiving of education loans was roughly estimated to be around ₹4,000 crore ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections,” another source in the ruling party said. But a senior DMK leader had estimated that the “education loan” waiver would cost the exchequer around ₹10,000 crore.

The AIADMK has also promised to lower petrol and diesel prices and has offered to shut Tasmac liquor outlets in a phased manner.

சொல் நாகரிகம்: அவரல்லவோ பெருந்தலைவர்

DINAMALAR

சொல் நாகரிகம்: அவரல்லவோ பெருந்தலைவர்

Added : மார் 13, 2021 00:14

திருப்பூர் ராயபுரத்தில், முக்கோண பார்க் அருகேயுள்ள மைதானம். அப்போது, அது பெரிய மைதானம். இப்போது, அங்கே பிள்ளையார் கோவில் வந்து விட்டது. அந்தக் காலத்தில், தேர்தல் கூட்டங்கள் எல்லாம், அந்த மைதானத்தில் தான் நடக்கும்.தேர்தல்களம் சூடு பிடித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தது. அன்று மாலை, அங்கு பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜ் பேசப்போகிறார் என்ற செய்தி, எல்லா இடங்களிலும் பரவியிருந்தது. காமராஜ் பேச்சைக் கேட்க, பெருந்திரளான மக்கள் அங்கே கூடியிருந்தனர். நான், திருப்பூர் சிக்கண்ணா கல்லுாரியில், பி.ஏ., தமிழ் இளங்கலை படித்துக் கொண்டிருந்தேன். மாணவர்கள் மத்தியில், காமராஜுக்கு அளவற்ற செல்வாக்கிருந்த காலகட்டம் அது.ஏராளமான மாணவர்கள், கூட்டத்தினரிடையே நெருக்கியடித்து அமர்ந்திருந்தோம்.

நானும், நண்பர்களும் வெகுநேரத்திற்கு முன்னரே, அங்கு போய் இடம்பிடித்து, முன்வரிசையில் தரையில் அமர்ந்திருந்தோம்.தமிழக அரசியல் வானில், நல்லவர்கள் மதிக்கும் நட்சத்திரமாக, காமராஜ் ஒளி வீசிக் கொண்டிருந்தார். தீபம் நா.பார்த்தசாரதி, 'கல்கி' வார இதழில், காமராஜையே, ராமராஜ் என்ற பெயரில் ஒரு பாத்திரமாக்கி, 'சத்தியவெள்ளம்' என்ற நாவலை தொடராக எழுதிக் கொண்டிருந்தார். காமராஜ் வாழ்ந்த காலத்திலேயே எழுதப்பட்ட நாவல் அது.நா.பா., ஜெயகாந்தன், சோ, குமரி அனந்தன் என பலர், காமராஜ் அணியில் மேடைகளில் பேசிக் கொண்டிருந்தனர். அன்று காமராஜும், அவருக்கு முன்பாக குமரி அனந்தனும் பேசுவதாக ஏற்பாடு.காமராஜ் இன்னும் வரவில்லை. ஆனால், குமரி அனந்தன் வந்து மேடையேறி விட்டார்; பின், பேசத் தொடங்கினார். காமராஜுக்காகக் காத்திருந்த கூட்டம், குமரி அனந்தனின் சொக்க வைக்கும் சுந்தரத் தமிழில் மயங்கி, அவர் பேச்சை ஊன்றிக் கேட்டுக் கொண்டிருந்தது.

'ஏழைகளின் இல்லங்களை தேடி நடக்கும் கால்கள் எவருடைய கால்கள்? அவை பெருந்தலைவரின் கால்கள்! ஏழைகளின் துயரத்தை மாற்றக் குரல் கொடுக்கும் வாய் யாருடைய வாய்? அது, பெருந்தலைவரின் வாய்!' என்றெல்லாம், குமரி அனந்தன் அடுக்கினார்.கணீரென்ற குரல்; திருத்தமான உச்சரிப்பு; உணர்வு பூர்வமான பேச்சு. அவரது ஒவ்வொரு வாக்கியத்திற்கும், கைதட்டல் விண்ணைப் பிளந்தது.அப்போது, காமராஜ் காரில் அங்கு வந்து சேர்ந்தார். மக்கள் வெள்ளம், 'பெருந்தலைவர் வாழ்க!' என, உரத்துக் குரல்கொடுக்க, அவர் மேடையேறினார். கறுப்பு நிறம்; ஒளிவீசும் விழிகள்; முழங்கால் வரை நீண்ட கைகள். அவரிடம் மக்கள் மனங்களை அள்ளிக் கொள்ளும் ஏதோ ஒரு மாய வசீகரம் இருந்தது. அவர் மேடையில் அமர்ந்ததும், அனைவரும் அவரையே கண்கொட்டாமல் பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தோம்.காமராஜின் வருகையை ஒட்டி, சிறிய இடைவேளை விட்ட குமரி அனந்தன், மீண்டும் பேச்சை தொடர்ந்தார்: 'ஏழைகளின் துயரத்தை கண்டு கண்ணீர் சிந்தும் கண்கள் எவருடைய கண்கள்? அவை பெருந்தலைவரின் கண்கள்!...'காமராஜ் நடுவே குறுக்கிட்டு, 'போதும்ணேன்' என்றார். தன்னை புகழ்வதைக் கேட்க அவருக்குப் பிடிக்கவில்லை. அத்தகைய பண்பாடு அவருடையது.தலைவரின் ஆணைக்கு உடனடியாகக் கட்டுப்படுவதை, உயர்ந்த கலாசாரமாகக் கொண்டிருந்த குமரி அனந்தன், உடனே பேச்சை முடித்து அமர்ந்தார். அடுத்து காமராஜ் பேச எழுந்தார்.

உட்கார்ந்திருந்த போதே, உயரமாகத் தெரிந்த அவர், எழுந்து நின்ற போது, இன்னும் உயரமாகத் தெரிந்தார். அவர் மிக உயர்ந்த மனிதர் என்பது உண்மை தான் என்பதை, அவர் பேச்சும் நிரூபித்தது.அடுக்கு மொழியில்லை; அலங்கார வார்த்தைகள் இல்லை. எதிர் கட்சியினரை திட்டி ஒரு சொல் கிடையாது. ஒரு கிராமத்து மனிதர் உரையாடுவது போல பேசினார். உதட்டிலிருந்து பேசாமல், இதயத்திலிருந்து பேசினார். நெஞ்சைத் தொடும் பனியன்களை தயாரிக்கும், திருப்பூர் மக்களின் நெஞ்சைத் தொட்ட பேச்சு அது.தங்கள் கட்சி என்னென்ன செய்வதாகச் சொல்கிறது என்பதை விவரித்தார். எதிர்க் கட்சியினர் சொல்வதையும், தாங்கள் சொல்வதையும் ஒப்பிட்டுச் சீர்துாக்கிப் பார்க்குமாறு மக்களை கேட்டுக் கொண்டார். எந்தக் கட்சி, நாட்டுக்கு நல்லது செய்யும் என்று தோன்றுகிறதோ, அதற்கே ஓட்டளிக்கும்படி கூறினார். தன் கட்சிக்கு ஓட்டளியுங்கள் என, நேரடியாக அவர் கேட்கவே இல்லை.'எதிர்க்கட்சிக் காரங்க, என்ன வெள்ளைக்காரங்களா? அவங்களும் நம்ம இந்தியர்கள் தானேண்ணேன்.

யார் ஆட்சிக்கு வந்தாலும், மக்கள் நல்லாருக்கணும். அதுதான் முக்கியம்ணேன்! அவங்கவங்க மனச்சாட்சிப் படித்தான் எல்லோரும் எப்பவும் இயங்கணும்!' என்று சொல்லி, கைகூப்பி விடைபெற்றார். அவருக்குப், 'பெருந்தலைவர்' என்ற பட்டம்தான், எவ்வளவு பொருத்தமானது!அனைவரும் பிரமிப்போடு, அவரையே பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருக்க மக்களில் ஒருவராக மேடையேறிய அவர், மக்களில் ஒருவராகவே மேடையிலிருந்து இறங்கி காரில் ஏறிச் சென்றார்.சொல் நாகரிகம் என்றால், அவருடையதல்லவா சொல் நாகரிகம்! மாற்றுக் கட்சியினரை வாய்க்கு வந்தபடி விமர்சிக்கும் இன்றைய மேடைப் பேச்சுகளை கேட்கும் போது, அன்றைய காமராஜின் பேச்சு நெஞ்சில் நிழலாடுகிறது. காமராஜின் உயரம், காலம் செல்லச் செல்ல அதிகமாகிக் கொண்டே போகிறது.திருப்பூர் கிருஷ்ணன் -ஆசிரியர், அமுதசுரபி மாத இதழ்.

Politics not business for me, says Kamal at city campaign

CAMPAIGN TRAIL KAMAL HAASAN

Politics not business for me, says Kamal at city campaign

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 04.03.2021 

Seeking to claim the legacy of M G Ramachandran, actor Kamal Haasan on Wednesday began his campaign trail from Alandur, earlier Parangimalai constituency which sent MGR to the assembly first in 1967.

“It was from here that part of MGR’s political journey began. I am happy that my journey also starts from here,” Kamal told amid a sea of supporters at Madanandhapuram near Porur.

Earlier in the day, the MNM chief released the party’s agenda for women and youth welfare and sports development at his party office in Alwarpet, after which he took the metro to reach Alandur.

Outside the Alandur metro station, cadres gathered in numbers to mark the beginning of the campaign trail.

Along the trail along the suburbs, the matinee idolturned-politician kept those gathered engaged with promises of a honest government.

Apart from the cadres, several turned up to catch a glimpse of Kamal Haasan, whom they were used to witnessing in the silver screen.

“I came to see Kamal in person. Though I couldn’t get close to him, I am happy that I was part of a historic event,” said G Pavithra, 46, of Thiruvottiyur, who accompanied an MNM cadre.

Kamal, while addressing the public at several locations, stated that he was delighted to see MNM’s support growing exponentially and wooed women and youth with promises of monetary compensation for household work and employment for youth. “Time for change has come. However dark it gets, torchlight will show the way,” Kamal said.

The campaign trail concluded at Mangollai in Mylapore where Kamal, in a short speech, took a dig at the ruling AIADMK government and the BJP stressing to the audience that neither he nor the future of Tamil Nadu was for sale. “Some are trying to buy votes. I am not a trader, nor is politics a business for me,” Kamal said

CHOOSING THE RIGHT START: MNM chief Kamal Haasan began his campaign trail at Alandur, earlier Parangimalai constituency from where MGR was elected to the assembly first. The campaign drew a sea of people and led to traffic snarls at Kathipara

Kalam’s advisor joins MNM, made V-P

Chennai:

V Ponraj, who was the scientific advisor of late President A P J Abdul Kalam, joined actor Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) on Wednesday. After introducing Ponraj at a meeting in Alwarpet, party president Kamal Haasan announced that Ponraj would serve as MNM’s vice-president along with Dr R Mahendran. “I was ready to work with anyone who will make Abdul Kalam’s vision for the country a reality. When the call came from Kamal, I decided to join the party. I am confident of ensuring Kalam’s vision under the able leadership of Kamal Haasan,” Ponraj said. Ponraj said the party he had started — Abdul Kalam Vision India Party — could not even be registered due to hurdles posed by the BJP government. TNN

Sasikala quits politics, urges ‘Jaya followers’ to ensure DMK defeat

Sasikala quits politics, urges ‘Jaya followers’ to ensure DMK defeat

But AMMK Will Fight Poll, Declares TTV

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.03.2021 

In a development that may come as a shot in the arm for the ruling AIADMK, V K Sasikala, the close-aide of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, on Wednesday announced her decision to quit politics. “I have decided to step aside from politics to ensure that the golden rule of Amma (Jayalalithaa) prevails, I am praying hard to my sister whom I consider as god and every god I know,” Sasikala said in a two-page emotional statement. The announcement came on a day when the ruling AIADMK led by chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam ruled out any tie-up with Sasikala and her nephew T T V Dhinakaran. The BJP, meanwhile, made it clear that it would not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK.

Sasikala urged the “true followers of Jayalalithaa” to stay united and work for the continuance of the golden rule of former chief ministers M G Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa. Jayalalithaa’s wish was to see the party rule the state for more than 100 years, Sasikala said. “Cadres will have to work hard to prevent the evil force DMK from returning to power and ensure that the golden rule of Amma prevails,” she said, thanking party workers and well-wishers.

Seat talks tough task for AIADMK, DMK

Though filing nominations for the TN assembly polls is just10 days away, the AIADMK and the DMK camps seem to have made little headway in clinching a deal with potential allies. While the national parties — the BJP in the AIADMK camp and the Congress on the DMK side — took time off from the seat-sharing talks on Wednesday, smaller parties in both the camps, too, preferred to act tough. While the DMDK upped its ante on the AIADMK side, MDMK has convened a meeting of its high-level committee on Saturday to discuss DMK’s offer of a few seats. Another DMK ally, the VCK, too, was in no mood to return to the discussion table with the DMK. P 7

Sasikala’s decision aimed at uniting Jayalalithaa’s loyalists, says TTV

Reacting to Sasikala’s decision, AIADMK deputy coordinator K P Munusamy said he was happy to note that Sasikala remained loyal to Jayalalithaa. “But it is Dhinakaran, who is creating hurdles for the continuation of Jayalalithaa’s government in Tamil Nadu,” Munusamy said.

Dhinakaran said while his aunt’s decision saddened him, it was aimed at uniting Jayalalithaa’sloyalists.“Shewasworried that Amma’s followers were not united,” the AMMK leader said after a meeting with his aunt at her T Nagar residence. On February 8, while returning to Chennai, Sasikala told reporters that she would return to active politics.

“I urged her to try and do what she wanted (help Jayalalithaa’s government to return to power) by being inside and not by keeping away from politics. That’s why there was a delay in her releasing the statement,” Dhinakaran told reporters.

In her statement on Wednesday, Sasikala didn’t name the AIADMK or AMMK. “I am not hankering after any position, title or power. I will remain grateful to beloved cadres of Puratchi Thalaivi (revolutionary leader) and the people of Tamil Nadu,” she said.

Sasikala was released from Bengaluru prison in January after a four-year imprisonment in a disproportionate assets case. She was hospitalized for Covid-19.Afterherreleasefrom hospital and a two-week isolationperiod,shesetoutonalong journey by road on February 8 and reached Chennai the following day. “She was the one who ensured the continuation of Amma’s (Jayalalithaa’s) government by getting the MLAs to elect the present chief minister,” Dhinakaran said.

Dhinakaran said AMMK would go ahead and contest the assembly election. “Talks to form an alliance are on. We will announce it in due course . Meanwhile, the party will announce the candidate list on March 10,” Dhinakaran said, adding that he would contest the polls.

TNCCpresident K S Alagiri said Sasikala had “escaped the trap laid by BJP”, which wanted to take control of AIADMK by creating internal trouble. “Sasikala had enough experience in understanding politics and governance, having spent several years assisting Jayalalithaa. But she lacked the stature of a tall leader,” Alagiri said.

No more govt ads in newspapers, TV: TN to HC

No more govt ads in newspapers, TV: TN to HC

Sureshkumar.K@timesgroup.com

Chennai:23.02.2021 

The Tamil Nadu government will not issue advertisements in newspapers and televisions any more, as all such advertisements had been stopped since February 18, the government informed the Madras high court on Monday.

The submission was made by advocate-general Vijay Narayan, in response to a plea by the opposition DMK taking exception to the AIADMK government spending crores of rupees of public funds ‘to lure voters’ through advertisements in almost all television channels and newspapers.

“The advertisements were issued only to showcase the performance of the state government for the past four years. All such activities will be stopped once the Election Commission Of India (ECI) notifies election for the state,” advocate-general Vijay Narayan said. Actually, the matter has become infructuous since the government has stopped issuing such advertisements from Thursday, he added.

Earlier, representing DMK, senior advocate P Wilson said, free and fair elections and purity in elections are basic features of the constitution. The chief minister of the state is indulging in advertising in all TV channels, newspapers and all websites commercial internet sites pampering and projecting him for the past two months.

On October 7, 2016 ECI issued directions to all political parties to resist from indulging in such acts and clarified that it would attract freezing of election symbols. DMK has made representation citing violation of the direction in January and February 2021 but so far, the ECI has not taken any action, Wilson said. To this, the first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said these are the advantages of being a ruling party and DMK would also get the advantage once it comes to power.

Senior advocate G Rajagopal, appearing for the ECI, submitted that the commission had called for remarks from AIADMK and was awaiting reply. He further sought time for filing a status report. Granting time till March 2, the bench adjourned the hearing.

DMK submits 2nd petition to guv against CM, mins

DMK submits 2nd petition to guv against CM, mins

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:20.02.2021

The DMK, on Friday, submitted yet another petition to governor Banwarilal Purohit, levelling corruption charges against chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and several of his cabinet colleagues. This is the second petition the party is submitting to the governor against the CM and ministers in the last two months.

DMK general secretary S Duraimurugan, after submitting the 38-page petition to Purohit, told mediapersons that charges were levelled against ministers K C Karuppannan, K T Rajenthra Bhalaji, P Thangamani and S P Velumani and Anthiyur MLA K R Rajakrishnan. “We will not have to give one more petition to the governor as this government will not be there for long,” said Duraimurugan, expressing unhappiness over the governor not acting on the earlier petition submitted by the party. The first petition was submitted to governor by DMK president M K Stalin on December 27. Duraimurugan said when the DMK delegation comprising himself and senior leaders T R Baalu and R S Bharathi asked Purohit about the action taken on the first petition, the governor said he had forwarded it to the Union ministry of home affairs. However, governor added that he would take suitable action as per the powers vested with him, said Duraimurugan.

The DMK, in the first petition, had levelled charges against the CM, his deputy O Panneerselvam and ministers S P Velumani, P Thangamani, D Jayakumar, R B Udhayakumar and C Vijayabaskar.

BJP: Stalin cheating people of Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur:

BJP’s Tamil Nadu in-charge C T Ravi on Friday accused DMK president M K Stalin of ‘cheating’ the people in the name of Dravidianism. The BJP leader sought to project their party as a “friend of people of Tamil Nadu” and the Congress and DMK as enemies. In this regard, he referred to the ban on jallikattu by the Congress government, backed by the DMK, and its revocation by the BJP-led Union government. TNN

Many AIADMK ministers will end up in jail: Stalin

Many AIADMK ministers will end up in jail: Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Trichy/Ariyalur:16.02.2021 

The AIADMK was misleading people by its poll promises made during 2011 and 2016 assembly elections, said DMK leader M K Stalin in Pudukottai district on Monday. Stalin also alleged that chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was committing irregularities in floating tenders for big projects. He was addressing the party’s ‘Ungal Ooril Stalin’ campaign at Thirumayam in Pudukottai and Kollapuram near Ariyalur. He said the 10-year rule of the AIADMK had pushed back the state by 50 years and the DMK would reverse it and set the state on a growth trajectory, if elected to power.

Recalling the AIADMK’s election manifesto for the 2011 assembly polls, he said it made a series of promises to farmers, from starting a second green revolution, increasing farmers’ income by twoto-three-fold, free agriculture equipment, minimum support price for crops such as sugarcane and setting up drip irrigation free of cost. But the promises were not fulfilled, he said. Similarly, its promises in 2016, such as supply of free cell phones to ration card holders, waiver of education loans, free Wi-Fi at public places, Amma bank cards and one litreof milk at ₹25were notimplemented.

Stalin said the first six years of the AIADMK rule in the state went in handling the disproportionate assets case against former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Then, the incumbent chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami spent the next four years trying to retain his post. “They have no time to think about people but claim that Tamil Nadu is progressing. The progress is only for the state ministers who indulge in corruption,” he said. Many of the ruling party ministers would be put behind bars on corruption charges if the DMK was voted to power, he said. Claiming that health minister C Vijaya Baskar hid the data of Covid-19 infected people and deaths in the state, Stalin accused him of mismanaging the fight against the pandemic by not taking early steps to contain the spread of the virus, leading to many deaths. At the campaign for the four assembly segments in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts at Kollapuram, he alleged that the chief minister was floating tenders in a hurry for projects that would take three to four years to finish.

DMK’s scams still not forgotten: OPS

Chennai:

Hours after DMK chief MK Stalin announced on Sunday that the party's second list of charges against the ruling AIADMK was ready, AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam said evil forces cannot prevent the sprouting of two leaves again. In a series of tweets on Sunday night, Panneerselvam said, “Never forget that the people of Tamil Nadu joined hands with us to remove the stained DMK government and pack you (Stalin) home. People are aware that corruption and the DMK are no different.” OPS alleged that the DMK was the only party in the political history of India that was dissolved for corruption, and the party was known for several scams, including 2G scam, Veernam scam and a pesticide scam, bringing shame to the country and Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK coordinator said that Stalin was daydreaming that people have forgotten about the DMK’s scams. TNN

TN govt sanctions case against Stalin

TN govt sanctions case against Stalin

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:13.02.2021 

The AIADMK government has sanctioned a defamation case against DMK president M K Stalin for having levelled corruption charges against fisheries minister D Jayakumar.

In his party’s Makkal Grama Sabha meeting at Royapuram in Chennai last month, the DMK leader had alleged several irregularities in procurement of walkie-talkies for fishermen and accused Jayakumar of “causing loss to the tune of ₹30 crore to the exchequer”.

Incidentally, the DMK had mentioned it in its 98-page ‘corruption petition’ to governor Banwarilal Purohit, seeking DVAC probe against Jayakumar.

The DMK had said there was evidence of corruption, abuse and misuse of official power to favour a private company. An order issued by the public department on Wednesday said the defamatory speech was intended to malign the reputation of the minister in the discharge of his public functions.

“On a perusal of the said speech, it is found that it has imputations, which are per se defamatory against the minister. The defamatory speech is not only devoid of truth and good faith, but it has been intentionally made against the interest of the public good,” the order said, sanctioning the city public prosecutor, Chennai, to lodge a complaint against the DMK president.

The order said the government was satisfied that it was expedient and necessary that Stalin should be prosecuted in a court of law for an offence under section 499 of the Indian Penal Code punishable under section 500 of the said code.

DANCE of DEMOCRACY

DANCE of DEMOCRACY

‘Will shift to to old pension scheme’

Stalin Vows To Waive All Edu Loans

Bosco.Dominique@timesgroup.com

Villupuram: 13.02.2021 

DMK president M K Stalin has promised to scrap the new pension scheme and migrate to the old one for the benefit of government servants if his party is voted to power in the ensuing assembly polls. He also reiterated his earlier promise to waive all educational loans availed by students in the state. He was interacting with people after receiving petitions from them in Villupuram district during the third phase of his election campaign, 'Ungal thoguthiyil Stalin' (Stalin in your constituency) on Friday. He questioned the AIADMK government for failing to take stern action against the contractor after a check dam across Pennaiaru River in the district collapsed within a month of construction and sought to drive home the point that corruption was rampant in the AIADMK.

He claimed that all the welfare schemes of the current AIADMK government were introduced and successfully executed by the previous DMK government led by former chief minister M Karunanidhi. But chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami was making false claims and creating a mirage that the AIADMK government had introduced those welfare schemes, he said, and went on to list out the schemes launched by the previous DMK government that were replicated by the current AIADMK government after renaming them. He accused the ruling AIADMK of using the government's exchequer to spread lies by placing advertisements in media that Tamil Nadu was marching along the path of victory. He claimed that the government had been replicating his ideas and announcing projects and schemes. "The chief minister did not have any idea of launching a toll-free helpline to redress the grievances of the people for the past four and-a-half years, but launched the toll-free number only after I started receiving the grievances from the public," he said.

Stalin said Palaniswami claimed people can air their grievances using their mobile phones from any part of the state using the toll-free number, forgetting that the AIADMK failed to honour its poll promise of providing mobile phones free of cost to the people of Tamil Nadu.

CM Edappadi K Palaniswami launched the toll-free number only after I started receiving the grievances from the public

M K Stalin | DMK PRESIDENT

Sasi isolates herself, no visitors for a week

Sasi isolates herself, no visitors for a week

Ilavarasi To Stay With Her At T Nagar

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.02.2021 

After a 24-hour trip from Bengaluru, and a grand reception en route, former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s confidante V K Sasikala, who has recovered from Covid-19 recently, has sought to isolate herself for another week. Her co-convict in the disproportionate assets case and sister-in-law, J Ilavarasi would give her company in a house on Habibullah Road in T Nagar in Chennai, sources said.

Her supporters have been gathering near the residence ever since she arrived in the city at 6.30am on Tuesday. Save for a few AMMK officebearers, who met her upon her arrival, no party cadre or functionary had been given audience until Wednesday. Sasikala had a word of praise for AMMK functionaries, when Dhinakaran introduced his loyalists to her for arranging a grand reception. “She has been advised rest for now. She may meet visitors from next week,” said a source. Her legal team is eagerly awaiting a call from her in case she wanted to discuss the next course of action regarding matters relating to the AIADMK.

On Wednesday, Nagercoil former AIADMK MLA A Nanjil Murugesan, who claimed to be a Sasikala supporter, met her aides. “It was she who recommended my name twice to Amma (Jayalalithaa) to contest from Nagercoil. Only she can lead the AIADMK. All those who speak against her are ungrateful and will fall at her feet soon,” Murugesan told TOI. The AIADMK had expelled Murugesan from the primary membership of the party, after he was booked under POCSO.

Ilavarasi’s daughter, Krishnapriya is staying in an adjoining house. The Habibullah Road residence is a property of Anjaneya Printers Private Limited, in which Krishnapriya is one of the directors. After the Income Tax department attached Sasikala’s nine-ground property opposite to Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden, where construction was going on until a few months ago, the family chose the T Nagar house, considering her plan to return to active politics.

Jayalalithaa’s assistants, drivers and security guards in Poes Garden, K T Karthikeyan, M Iyyappan, C Kannan, Rajan Pradhan and Bhim Thapa, remain with her in T Nagar. “They continued to be her staff even after she left for Bengaluru prison,” said a source. Jayalalithaa’s cook Rajammal is being taken care of by Sasikala, sources said.

GRAND HOMECOMING: V K Sasikala at Ramavaram Gardens to garland the statue of MGR in Chennai on Tuesday

Modi has developed habit of lying: CM

Modi has developed habit of lying: CM

Saibal.Gupta@timesgroup.com

Kolkata: 09.02.2021 

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday charged PM Narendra Modi with having “developed the habit of telling lies” and asserted that “Gujarat would not be able to rule Bengal”.

“I will be back. Some may harbour doubts but I will be back (in office),” Banerjee told MLAs during this assembly’s final session before the polls.

PM Modi, while speaking at a political programme in Haldia on Sunday, accused the Bengal government of not sharing with the Centre the farmers’ database for PM Kisan Nidhi benefits. “Modiji has developed the habit of telling lies,” Banerjee said in her response to Modi’s allegations. “Our database will not match the central government’s. Our criterion is different from theirs. We provide financial assistance to even farmers who own a cottah of land. But the Centre’s criterion for availing this scheme is a minimum of two acres of land. We have asked them to send their database so that we can verify it. So far 22 lakh farmers have registered for this programme. They have sent us a list of only 6 lakh farmers; we have already verified 2.5 lakh,” Banerjee said.

CM Banerjee greets MLAs on Monday, the last day of the assembly

Didi: We will come back with a huge mandate

Mamata Banerjee then spoke of the PM’s advance relief of Rs 1,000 crore during the Amphan disaster. “The PM came once after Amphan and announced an advance of Rs 1,000 crore. But the money came from our disaster management fund. We spent more than Rs 2,452 crore on this,” she said.

Banerjee mocked the BJPled Centre’s new-found love for Bengal and said she had never come across such a “cruel and heartless government” in her life. “They are suddenly in love with Bengal now that elections are approaching. They have even started speaking in Bengali. They are talking of Vivekananda and Rabindranath Tagore. They are even saying Tagore was born in Santiniketan,” Banerjee said, having a dig at the BJP’s repeated slip-ups regarding Bengal’s icons.

“Let them bring a thousand people but Gujarat will not be able to rule Bengal. We will come back with a huge mandate,” she said, referring to the BJP’s plans to fly in a host of leaders from other states, including Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

A small section of “about 1%” might have indulged in irregularities during Amphan relief distribution, Banerjee said. “But 99% did their work diligently,” she added.

Banerjee also spoke of the huge response to the Duare Sarkar scheme. “We have distributed 18 lakh caste certificates, 15 lakh old-age and widow pensions,” she said.