Panneerselvam shifts stance, condemns BJP over Samagra Shiksha funds controversy
'Citing this [the non-acceptance of the State government to the Union government's conditions] as the reason for not providing the funds will not only affect the education of students, but also teachers. This action of the Central government is against the Right to Education Act and federalism,' Mr. Panneerselvam said in a statement, adding that the non-acceptance was a matter between the two governments. The ADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee leader urged the Centre to release around ₹2,151.59 crore to the State under the scheme.
From ally to 'uncertain' partner
Ever since Mr. Panneerselvam rebelled against the AIADMK's former interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala in February 2017, he had been known as a staunch ally of the BJP. When he and the present general secretary of the party Edappadi K. Palaniswami came together six months later, he had publicly credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the reunion. In 2019, when Mr. Modi filed his nomination papers in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Mr. Panneerselvam was among those who were there to greet him.
Five years later, the former Chief Minister, who held the portfolio of Finance in the State government for about 10 years, contested as an Independent in the Ramaathapuram Lok Sabha seat unsuccessfully as part of the BJP-led alliance. But the AIADMK had faced the election only with the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and SDPI.
After the Dravidian major revived its alliance with the national party in April this year, Mr. Panneerselvam's position became uncertain in view of a 'hands-off' approach of the BJP towards him, as Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah made it clear that 'we will not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK,' when asked about the former Chief Minister's space in the alliance.
The former Chief Minister had sought an audience with the Prime Minister during his latest trip to Tamil Nadu but no meeting took place between the two leaders, even though Mr. Palaniswami, along with his colleagues, met Mr. Modi at the Tiruchi airport on Saturday (July 26) night.
On Mr. Panneerselvam's further course of action, Panruti S. Ramachandran, former Minister who has been an advisor to the former Chief Minister's camp, told The Hindu on Tuesday afternoon that 'when there is no place for him in the alliance, there is no point in continuing there.'
Would the BJP not approach Mr. Panneerselvam again and take him back into its fold? 'There is no possibility, because Mr. Palaniswami is there in the alliance,' replied Mr. Ramachandran, adding that 'there is no way out for him [the Committee coordinator] than finding his own way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Stalin, Palaniswami, leaders pay tributes to late freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other leaders paid tributes to late freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai on his death anniversary on Sunday. Mr. Stalin and his Cabinet colleagues paid floral tributes to a portrait and statue of the late freedom fighter in Chennai on Sunday. He also hailed the late freedom fighter's action against the colonial British during the country's freedom struggle. Mr. Palaniswami paid tributes to the portrait of the late freedom fighter. Former Minister C. Ponnaiyan led his party functionaries in paying floral tributes to the portrait of the late freedom fighter in Chennai.
The Hindu
4 minutes ago
- The Hindu
DMK govt. failed to enact law against caste killings, alleges Tamilisai
BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Sunday said the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu had failed to enact a law against caste-hatred induced murders, despite being in power for the fifth time. Speaking to mediapersons in Chennai, Dr. Tamilisai alleged, 'Even after ruling the State for so many years, it is a shame that the DMK government has not been able to uphold social justice and enact a law against caste-hatred-induced murders.' She said the people of Tamil Nadu were struggling every day to make a living and ensure their safety. Referring to the launch of the 'Ungaludan Stalin' camps, she said though health camps were being conducted as a part of the initiative, the condition of government hospitals remained poor. Dr. Tamilisai also claimed the Union government had been supporting Tamil Nadu's development, but Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had made it a norm to blame the Centre. 'The Chief Minister should understand that a confrontational attitude with the Centre is not good. Had Kalaignar [M. Karunanidhi] been alive, he would have maintained a cordial relationship with the Centre despite ideological differences.' On the exit of the former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam-led camp from the National Democratic Alliance, she said, 'It is my opinion that he could have handled his political moves more patiently.'
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Deoghar's Shravani mela deserves national status, says BJP MP
Dumka: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari paid offerings at the Baidyanathdham temple in Deoghar late on Saturday. He arrived here after walking over 100 km for three days from Sultanganj in Bihar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Tiwari said that he would strive to ensure national status for the Shravani Mela, which is one of the largest religious congregations in the country. Godda BJP MP Nishikant Dubey received Tiwari at Godiyari and accompanied him till the Babadham temple. "It is after 30 years that I undertook the kanwar yatra from Sultanganj to Deoghar to pay offerings at the Babadham temple during the auspicious Shravani. This event has become more popular, as evident from the rising number of devotees, necessitating national status for the month-long religious event for wider arrangements," Tiwari said.
