Latest news with #CPI-M
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
When VS Achuthanandan's ultimatum prompted Mammootty to backtrack on Rs 2 crore Coca-Cola ad deal: ‘He can't do both'
Celebrities becoming brand ambassadors for soft drink companies is nothing new, especially in India. From Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar and Ranbir Kapoor to Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Mahesh Babu and Yash, the list is very long. Hence, when he received an offer from soft drink manufacturer giant Coca-Cola in the early 2000s to become its face in South India, it might not have taken Malayalam megastar Mammootty long to agree to the lucrative deal. However, he soon realised that he had made an impetuous mistake, mainly since the company was embroiled in the Plachimada legal battle. But by then, the controversy had escalated significantly, with even Marxist party strongman VS Achuthanandan, the then Leader of the Opposition (LoP), issuing an ultimatum to the actor. For the unversed, Mammootty has been serving as the chairman of Malayalam Communications Ltd, which runs the television channels Kairali TV, Kairali News, and Kairali We, since the time it was established in 2000. Kairali Channel group is backed by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which was at the forefront of the Plachimada struggle, and CPI-M leader VS Achuthanandan was one of the leading proponents of the anti-Coca-Cola plant movement that spread across Kerala like wildfire. After Mammootty signed a deal, reportedly worth Rs 2 crore (Rs 20 million), with the Coca-Cola company, many stepped forward denouncing the megastar's move. Both Plachimada activists and CPI-M leaders and workers came down heavily on him for accepting the offer while they were all protesting against the plant that severely damaged local water sources in the village of Plachimada, Palakkad district. Soon after his decision courted controversy, Mammootty pointed out that the product was not banned in the country and claimed that 'it is, after all, a good drink'. He reportedly told media persons, 'When I accept the offer, I will seek a guarantee that Coke does not overexploit groundwater as alleged and whatever water it uses is replaced or that it finds alternative sources without dipping into the common person's sources of drinking water. Also, there is no bar on the channel (Kairali) accepting Coke advertisements.' Responding to reporters' queries regarding Mammootty's decision to collaborate with Coca-Cola, VS Achuthanandan was quoted as saying by Madhyamam, 'He can't do both. Either Mammootty can continue as the chairman of Kairali, or he can become the ambassador of Coca-Cola.' Talking to Rediff, VS said back then, 'I think Mammootty should not take up the advertising deal because everyone knows how companies like Coca Cola have left the people of a village dry.' According to the protestors, the plant had been depleting groundwater, leading to drying up of water resources in the area and eventually resulting in a drought. However, with VS — known for his strong stances on anti-corruption, environmentalism and land rights — making both his and the party's position unequivocally clear, Mammootty soon withdrew his decision. Given that the party strongman, who passed away on July 21, consistently took unwavering positions on matters concerning public welfare, the megastar knew more than well that reversing his decision was the only plausible solution here. The Plachimada Coca-Cola plant was eventually closed forever.
NDTV
16-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
'No Pardon, It's A Crime': Brother Of Yemeni Man Killed By Kerala Nurse
New Delhi: Abdelfattah Mehdi, brother of Talal Abdo Mehdi, who was allegedly murdered by Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya in 2017, has asserted that there can be no pardon for the crime. He said that Nimisha Priya has to be executed. Abdelfattah also expressed firmly the family's deep displeasure in the manner in which the Indian media has been "distorting things to portray the convicted as a victim". Incidentally, Nimisha Priya was to be executed on Wednesday, but following the lengthy period of multipronged negotiations, her execution has been kept in abeyance. Numerous efforts from several quarters, which included full support of the Indian government, besides agencies based in Saudi Arabia and religious intervention from the Grand Mufti, Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, who reportedly reached out to a friend in Yemen's Shoora Council to help mediate, all led to the decision of deferring the execution until further orders. State CPI-M secretary M. V. Govindan on Wednesday morning met Musliyar, and negotiations are underway. "Musliyar has told me that the execution has been kept in abeyance, and there are more aspects which are being discussed. He said people are engaged in talks with authorities in Yemen and also the family who has to give the pardon," said Govindan. Meanwhile, the biggest relief that has come is that the execution has been kept in abeyance until further orders. It's the family of the victim that can pardon Nimisha Priya. However, with a difference of opinion surfacing in the family, the religious people involved in the negotiations, besides officials, are trying their best to resolve the issue. The biggest hurdle now seems to be making the family understand the tragedy, and once that's done, the 'blood money' will be handed over. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the next part of the negotiation will centre around the 'blood money' that will be given. For the unversed, 'blood money' is monetary compensation to the family of the person killed in exchange for forgiveness. It is an accepted practice under Sharia law. Kerala billionaire M A Yusuf Ali has expressed his willingness to chip in with whatever financial support is needed. The efforts of the Indian government have been vital, and all eyes are on the negotiations, which are underway in full earnestness. Priya is currently lodged in a jail in Yemen, facing the death penalty for the alleged murder of her former business partner Mehdi, in 2017. Since the announcement of the execution date, politicians across party lines in Kerala have appealed to the Union government and the President for urgent intervention. Priya moved to Yemen in 2008 to support her family and initially worked as a nurse before opening her clinic. In 2017, following a dispute with Mehdi -- her business partner -- she allegedly administered sedatives to him in a bid to retrieve her confiscated passport. However, the sedatives proved fatal. She was arrested while attempting to flee the country and was convicted of murder in 2018. A death sentence was handed down in 2020 and upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. However, the court allowed the possibility of clemency through a blood money arrangement.
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kerala defers black magic legislation, but reaffirms commitment to regulate harmful practices
Kochi: The CPI-M government, on Tuesday, told the Kerala High Court that it is committed to regulate harmful practices carried out under the guise of supernatural and magical acts, even after deferring a proposed legislation on the issue. This was submitted before the division bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji when it was considering a PIL filed by a popular rationalist organisation seeking enactment and implementation of 'The Kerala Prevention of Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices, Sorcery and Black Magic Bill, 2019'. Previously, the court had expressed its discontent with the state Cabinet resolving to not proceed with the Bill. But in the counter affidavit filed by the state on Tuesday, it highlighted that though the proposed legislation has been deferred, the state government has no intention to step away from the subject matter as the subject is under active consideration of the state. It also told the court that the reason the state Cabinet decided to withdraw from the agenda is due to complex legal and constitutional issues. It further said that in absence of specific statute, the existing legal framework is also adequately equipped to address the issue. According to the state, criminal acts committed under the veil of magical or supernatural practices have been prosecuted under these existing statutes. The court, however, has sought further clarification on two specific points -- a brief explanation of the legal and constitutional complexities that led to the withdrawal of the proposed legislation and the details of prosecutions in the last five years involving cases arising from magical or supernatural practices under the general laws. The court emphasised that if these offences have indeed been effectively handled under the current legal framework, the state must provide a documented record of such cases. The state government in its affidavit reiterates that the formulation of special legislation remains under active governmental review. The court has directed that the next affidavit filed by the state should specify by when this "active consideration" is expected to conclude and indicate the timeline for a final decision on the matter and posted the case for August 5.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Suvendu Adhikari urges grassroots push ahead of 2026 West Bengal polls
Kolkata: In run upto to 2026 assembly polls, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday emphasized on the need of booth-level strengthening and door-to door outreach, instead of overwhelming dependence on social media, and Hindu vote rekindling across the state. Adhikari said in 2021, 68% Hindus voted and BJP will have to increase it to 80%, in order to bridge the 4-5% gap to victory. Adhikari said that 50 lakhs members have been added since October 27. Among them, 50,000 were adult members. 'Yet we have not met the target,' he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo In a detailed description on how the booth level workers and youth , who directly work for the party, at the grassroot levels, were tortured and harassed, Adhikari said, 'After 2021 polls, one lakh BJP workers became homeless while 57 BJP activists became martyrs. It was due to the impact of post-poll violence which followed the 2021 assembly polls.' However, the organizational network was rebuilt after that in the last several months. 'BJP's primary membership drive was done with photos of the candidates and all electronic data,' Adhikari pointed out. Live Events Guiding the party workers about the state-wide outreach, Adhikari said, 'The party's work and activities should not be Kolkata-centric. It should spread from Digha to Darjeeling. Common people should be part of it. Local level workers and party activists should be more active. Hindu population should be part of the drive,' Suvendu Adhiakri said. Adhikari said that Malda, Murshidabad to Maheshtala, women's safety has been at stake. "Women's safety is at stake in Bengal and women and daughter's safety is at stake," Adhikari said. Adhikari gave a call to oust the Mamata Banerjee government and said in last elections 68% Hindus voted for BJP and it should be increased to 80 percent. 'We have formed governments in Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan and kept our promises in those states. We will keep such promises if voted to power in this state,' Adhikari said, adding that BJP had lost 12 seats due to cross voting by the CPI-M in 2024.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
West Bengal CPI(M) leaders meet family of girl killed in Kaliganj bomb explosion
Leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), including the party's State secretary Md. Salim, on Saturday met the family of the girl who was killed in the Kaliganj bomb explosion on June 23. Mr. Salim was accompanied by Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) State president Meenakshi Mukherjee, who met the family members. They have proclaimed their allegiance to the CPI(M). Election to the Kaliganj Assembly seat was held on June 19, and on June 23, before the results were declared, a crude bomb hurled at the house of Tammana Khatun, 9, took her life. The police have claimed that the bombs were hurled from celebratory processions. The by-election saw the Trinamool Congress candidate, Alfa Ahmed, winning the election with a margin of over 50,000 votes. Speaking at a public gathering, Mr. Salim questioned why the area had not been sanitised, and all bombs and ammunition removed, during the elections. 'I ask the local police here — there are so many police here today because we are here. Where were you when this incident happened? The authorities — SDO (Sub Divisional Magistrate), DM (District Magistrate), IC (Inspector-in-Charge) — their job is to maintain law and order in the State, following the Constitution, and conducting fair elections. They have failed massively. We are asking for a proper investigation,' the CPI(M) State secretary said. Those who threw bombs during celebratory processions were criminals, and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government was promoting such elements, Ms. Mukherjee said. Khatun's family members said they were targeted because they were supporters of the CPI(M). The police have arrested five persons in connection with the incident. On Saturday, four more persons were arrested, taking the number of those arrested to nine. Among those arrested on Saturday were were local Trinamool leaders Gawal Sheikh, and his son Bimal Sheikh. Khatun's mother, Sabina Yasmin, has identified Mr. Sheikh as the prime accused. 'Gawal is the main mastermind here. The bomb attack happened on his orders. But there are people above him as well — the police should investigate that, too. If he is interrogated, the police will learn everything,' Ms. Yasmin said Criminals do not belong to any political party, the TMC's Krishnanagar organisational district chairman Rukbanur Rahman said. 'It doesn't matter which party someone supports. The horrific incident that occurred should be met with exemplary punishment. As a party, we demand that from the police,' Mr. Rahman said.
