Latest news with #Bharathi
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
DMK, TNCC and CPI laud SC's decision to stay ED's probe into Tasmac
CHENNAI: DMK organising secretary R S Bharathi accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of acting like a blackmailing organisation and welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay the central agency's probe into the alleged Tasmac scam. Bharathi was reacting to the SC's order on Thursday at the party headquarters. Chief Minister M K Stalin was also present there, for the launch of a book titled 'Ulagengum Kalaignar'. After the book launch, Stalin held brief discussions with party functionaries regarding the preparations for the party's general council meeting set to take place in Madurai on June 1. Later, Bharathi told reporters, 'Forgetting that many cases related to Tasmac have been pending for a long time, BJP leaders have made it a habit to speak out and use the ED just to have news published, targeting the DMK. The SC's stay on the ED probe is a crushing blow to them.' He also alleged that the ED has become a 'blackmailing agency' referring to the corruption charges filed against ED officials in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. DMK spokesperson and advocate Saravanan Annadurai said the ED had aggregated over 40 FIRs filed by the DVAC since 2014 solely to establish jurisdiction, as the agency can intervene only in cases involving irregularities exceeding `40 lakh. 'Now the SC has tamed the ED,' he added. Speaking to reporters at the TNCC headquarters in Sathyamoorthi Bhavan on Thursday, TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai welcomed the SC's recent observations in the ED versus Tasmac case, calling them 'historic.' Quoting the apex court, he said, 'The ED is violating the Constitution and crossing all limits.' He pointed out that, of the 193 cases registered by the ED in the past 11 years, only two have ended in convictions. 'Who will answer for the suffering of the other 191 families,' he asked. In a press statement, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan also highlighted the apex court's observation against the ED, adding that the CPI welcomes the SC's observation that the ED has degraded into a political tool.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Supreme Court order a big blow to the BJP, says DMK
DMK organisation secretary R.S. Bharathi on Thursday said the BJP-led Union government should stop using the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) at its whim, in the wake of the Supreme Court's [interim] order [and oral observations] indicting the investigating agency. Speaking to reporters, he recalled the Supreme Court's observation that 'the Enforcement Directorate is crossing all limits and violating the federal concept of governance.' The Court also stayed the money laundering probe against the Tamil Nadu-run liquor retailer TASMAC over alleged corruption in the grant of wine shop licences. Mr. Bharathi contended the Supreme Court's order had only proved that the ED was functioning like a blackmailing organisation. He pointed out an ED official had already been arrested in Kerala in a ₹2 crore bribery case, and another officer was caught accepting money from a doctor in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. He alleged the BJP government was using the ED to tarnish the image of the DMK government ahead of the elections, which are just 'seven months' away. 'It is unable to digest the winning combination of the DMK and its allies. Though many cases have been pending against TASMAC for years, the BJP government targets only the DMK government,' he claimed. 'The Supreme Court's order has come as a severe blow to the BJP government,' he added.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Fishermen want to continue fishing in Cooum estuary
Following incidents of small FRP boats being prevented from fishing in the Cooum river estuary, fishermen of various hamlets, including Maattankuppam and Ayodhyakuppam have urged the Indian Coast Guard and Navy to permit them to take up fishing in the area. Community leader Kabaddi Maran said that on last Friday, a boat belonging to Maattankuppam was towed by a grey-coloured boat belonging to one of the forces. 'This is the prawn season, and they grow well in estuaries since there is a confluence of salt and fresh waters. It is not fair on the part of the Armed forces to capture our boats,' he said. Since the annual fishing ban is on along the east coast, traditional fishermen take up fishing activity near the shore in small FRP boats. 'This is not the first time that a boat was towed by the Navy or the Coast Guard. There have been previous incidents too. We are Indians and have every right to fish in the estuary. The fishermen go for fishing in groups and in the daytime. If the Armed forces personnel have doubts, they can ask for ID cards or check with the Fisheries department,' said K. Bharathi, another community leader. A source in the Fisheries department said that they had written to the ICG Commandant in Chennai and asked them to address the issue. 'We want to ensure the safety and rights of the fishermen.'
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
DMK hails SC's stay on ED probe in TASMAC case
Chennai: The DMK on Thursday celebrated the Supreme Court's decision to stay the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) probe into the alleged TASMAC scam, calling it a major vindication of the party's position. Speaking to reporters at the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, party organising secretary R. S. Bharathi said, "The Supreme Court's ruling exposed the Centre's attempt to weaponise the ED to malign the Tamil Nadu government." "The BJP cannot digest the DMK's consistent electoral victories in Tamil Nadu. That is why they are using the ED to defame our regime," Bharathi said. Bharathi pointed out that around 44 First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed in connection with TASMAC, the state-run liquor distribution body. "Yet, only a few selectively chosen FIRs were used by the ED to conduct raids. This shows that the intention was not to investigate but to create a negative perception about the DMK," he said. Referring to the Supreme Court's observations, Bharathi claimed the Apex Court had criticised the ED for functioning like a "blackmailing institution" in several parts of the country. "The court's order is not just a relief for Tamil Nadu, but also a strong message against the arbitrary actions of the ED," he added. He further asserted that the verdict is a legal endorsement of the DMK government's stand and legal efforts against the ED's overreach. "The court has dealt a hammer blow to the ED's politically motivated actions. This is a significant win for federalism and democracy," Bharathi said. The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, had stayed the ED's probe into alleged money laundering involving TASMAC, questioning the agency's jurisdiction and motives. The judgment has sparked sharp political reactions, with the DMK framing it as a triumph against "authoritarian interference" by the Centre.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
EPS echoes BJP's WhatsApp university info: DMK's RS Bharathi
CHENNAI: DMK organising secretary RS Bharathi criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, accusing him of making baseless allegations against the state government to shield the union government, which has failed to release Rs 617 crore meant for private schools in Tamil Nadu under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. In a statement, Bharathi alleged that the union government is displeased with Tamil Nadu's educational achievements such as high gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education and the rising pass percentage among SC/ST students in school public exams. He claimed this irritation is reflected in the refusal to release Rs 2,152 crore under Samagra Shiksha scheme, because the state has not yielded to the centre's pressure to implement the three-language formula. Bharathi also added that the union government, in an apparent attempt to undermine the state and jeopardise the educational aspirations of Tamil Nadu's students, has been deliberately delaying the release of Rs 617 crore owed to private schools under RTE, despite the state's chief secretary writing a letter in this regard. Bharathi accused Planiswami of lacking the courage to question the union government, and choosing to direct his criticism at the state government. 'The statement made by Palaniswami is based on misinformation circulated through WhatsApp promoted by the BJP,' Bharathi alleged.
