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Tamil Nadu Congress invites DMDK to join INDIA bloc amid rift with AIADMK

Tamil Nadu Congress invites DMDK to join INDIA bloc amid rift with AIADMK

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai on Tuesday invited Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to join the INDIA bloc led by the DMK in Tamil Nadu.
This has come amid signs of discontent brewing in the DMDK camp over being 'sidelined' by the AIADMK, especially in the recent Rajya Sabha seat allocation.
DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakant recently expressed disappointment over the AIADMK's alleged failure to honour a 'pre-poll assurance' to allot a Rajya Sabha seat to her party. The DMDK was part of the AIADMK-led alliance during the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Responding to a query on Premalatha's public gratitude to the DMK for passing a condolence resolution in honour of DMDK founder Vijayakant at its recent general council meeting, Selvaperunthagai said, 'This is my personal opinion, but I believe DMDK should align with the INDIA bloc under DMK's leadership. We welcome them wholeheartedly.'
The TNCC chief's invitation is seen as a political signal at a time when the DMDK is reassessing its future. It may be noted that Premalatha also paid tribute to DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on his 102nd birth anniversary. Recalling Karunanidhi's contributions to Tamil Nadu and the Tamil language, she also remembered his personal relationship with Vijayakant, saying, 'Kalaignar graciously presided over our wedding. The bond between him and Captain was deep and unforgettable.'
Political signalling
'This is my personal opinion, but I believe the DMDK should align with the INDIA bloc under DMK's leadership. We welcome them wholeheartedly,' TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai said on Tuesday. The invitation is seen as a political signal at a time when the DMDK is reassessing its future. Premalatha also paid tribute to M Karunanidhi on his birth anniversary
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There should not be targeted attempt to eliminate voice of some citizens, especially from deprived parts of India: Amartya Sen on SIR
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The Hindu

time23 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

There should not be targeted attempt to eliminate voice of some citizens, especially from deprived parts of India: Amartya Sen on SIR

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Tata stocks lose over Rs 8 lakh crore in 11 months. Is it time to revisit your portfolio allocations?

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Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 Live: Key bills on agenda as Houses resume today amid Opposition uproar over Bihar SIR
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Hindustan Times

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Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 Live: Key bills on agenda as Houses resume today amid Opposition uproar over Bihar SIR

Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Mansukh Mandaviya, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jyotiraditya Scindia and other MPs in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Parliament monsoon session live: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resume proceedings on Thursday amid uproar from the Opposition INDIA bloc demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. However, the Union government has rejected the demand, citing the matter is sub judice before the Supreme More Union minister Kiren Rijiju said in the House on Wednesday, 'We all know that the matter of SIR is under the consideration of the Supreme Court. The matter raised by the opposition is clearly sub judice, so a discussion on this issue cannot be held in this House.' He invoked Rule 186 and Rule 352 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to support the BJP-led government's stand. Rijiju further stated that the Election Commission of India, being an autonomous constitutional body, could not be subjected to House discussions on its functioning. A similar ruling had been given a day earlier in the Rajya Sabha by deputy chairman Harivansh Singh. The row over Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) intensifies after the poll body released the draft voter roll data from Bihar's SIR exercise, excluding over 65 lakh voter enumeration forms. This triggered criticism from the Opposition, who accused the ECI of acting under pressure from the BJP-led central government. In an adjournment notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary, Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged large-scale deletions and 'unjustified inclusions' in the draft rolls. The demand to debate the issue has led to frequent adjournments in both Houses of Parliament this session. Key bills and legislative business in Parliament today As per the Lok Sabha agenda, several important items are scheduled for discussion and passage today: 1. Manipur GST Ordinance: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present an explanatory statement justifying the urgency behind promulgating the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. 2. Anti-doping law changes: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will move amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 for House approval. 3. Sports governance overhaul: Mandaviya will also introduce the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aimed at reforming the administration of sports bodies in India. 4. SC/ST reports: BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste will table the fourth report of the committee on SC/ST welfare, focusing on reservations in services and housing by the DDA. 5. Education and inclusion: TDP MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao will present a report assessing the role of universities and autonomous institutions like IITs, IIMs, and central universities in socio-economic development and reservation implementation. 6. Defence standing committee reports: BJP MPs Radha Mohan Singh and Virendra Singh will submit reports on the government's response to past recommendations concerning the Defence Ministry's budget for 2024-25. Marking a significant day on Wednesday, Parliament passed two maritime sector bills in one day—a first for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Lok Sabha cleared the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024.

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