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Time of India
22 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu won't support third front: CPI
Coimbatore: State CPI secretary R Mutharasan on Saturday said the people of Tamil Nadu wouldn't ever support a third front. "Several alliances may emerge in Tamil Nadu. People will accept only two major alliances. There is no place for a third front. We already tested this under the People's Welfare Front. The political contest in Tamil Nadu is only between two major fronts, and as in the past, the DMK-led alliance will emerge victorious in the 2026 assembly elections," he said. Speaking to reporters here on the day, Mutharasan slammed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami for failing to respond to their political questions, stating it was a reflection of the poor standard of his political discourse. Responding to Palaniswami's allegation that the left parties had received money from the DMK, Mutharasan clarified that in the 2019 elections, all transactions were made transparently through bank accounts for election expenses. "There was no secrecy involved. Palaniswami is speaking as if he uncovered something new." When asked about actor Vijay being declared the chief ministerial candidate by the TVK, Mutharasan responded, "Everyone has the right to dream."
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
DMK allies reject EPS's call to unite, slam AIADMK-BJP ties
CHENNAI: Leaders of DMK's alliance partners – CPI, CPM, and VCK – on Thursday dismissed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's call to join hands, accusing him of political double standards and continuing ties with the BJP. CPI state secretary R Mutharasan accused Palaniswami of misappropriating the CPI's 2021 Assembly poll slogan, 'Save Tamil Nadu'. 'We coined that slogan to warn against the BJP's growing influence in Tamil Nadu through its alliance with the AIADMK. Now, EPS, who is part of that alliance, is using the same slogan. It's ironic,' Mutharasan told reporters in Chennai. Taking exception to EPS's recent remarks in Mettupalayam that the communists have no presence in Tamil Nadu, Mutharasan said, 'A week after saying that, he invites us with a royal welcome. But what he offers is not a welcome - it's a bloodstained carpet. The CPI and the INDIA bloc will not walk that path.' CPM state secretary P Shanmugam echoed the criticism, saying, 'Last week, EPS said communists are invisible. This week, he wants us in his alliance. We see through the web of deceit. The AIADMK is stuck in a pit dug by the RSS and cannot climb out.' Reacting to AIADMK leader's remarks that the DMK-led alliance should be disbanded due to administrative hurdles faced by the VCK, party president Thol Thirumavalavan said, 'We faced such difficulties even during the AIADMK regime. We will not abandon a principled, secular alliance over minor issues.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stalin is using government machinery for political gain, Says Edappadi K Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of misusing government machinery and staff to further his political agenda ahead of the elections. Speaking at a public meeting in Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai district, as part of his 'Urimaiyai Meetpom, Makkalai Kappom' campaign, Mr. Palaniswami criticised the timing and intent behind the 'Ungaludan Stalin' outreach programme, calling it a 'gimmick' designed for votes. 'Just one year before the elections, Mr. Stalin is resorting to gimmicks using government machinery. Government employees are helping him in this campaign,' he alleged, referring to the 'Ungaludan Stalin' scheme. 'This is not how a Chief Minister should function.' Questioning the intent behind the scheme, Mr. Palaniswami said, 'Why is he collecting grievances after four years? The scheme claims to address 46 different issues—Mr. Stalin is indirectly accepting that there are unresolved problems. Why now? This is nothing but a vote-seeking exercise.' He also criticised the ideological inconsistency within the DMK-led alliance. 'Mr. Stalin says his is an ideological alliance. Do VCK or Congress share the same ideology? Every party in their coalition follows different ideologies. Worse, they've compromised their principles for the DMK's sake. People see through it, and alliance leaders should be careful when they face the public.' Responding to Mr. Stalin's criticism on the Katchatheevu issue, Mr. Palaniswami said, 'It was during the tenure of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Tamil Nadu and the Congress government at the Centre that Katchatheevu was ceded. Back then, when they were in power and in alliance, they didn't care about fishermen. Now they are pretending to be their saviours.' On the Chief Minister's recent remark that Mr. Palaniswami is afraid, the AIADMK leader replied, 'I am a farmer. I have nothing to fear. You should fear the TASMAC scam, where ₹10 is taken from every bottle. At least ₹15 crore is looted every day, which amounts to over ₹5,000 crore a year. So, who really has something to fear?' Reasserting AIADMK's record in protecting farmers' interests, Mr. Palaniswami said it was his government that declared the delta region a protected agricultural zone. 'No one, not even Mr. Stalin, can take away people's land here. That is our achievement,' he said. Referring to the allegations of M. Sundaresan, DSP of the Prohibition Enforcement Wing in Mayiladuthurai, that he was being harassed by seniors, Mr Palaniswami said under the DMK honest and decorated officers are being ill-treated. He condemned the taking away of the DSP's official vehicle. 'If this is how law enforcement officers are treated, how can they effectively curb the spread of illicit liquor and other addictive substances,' he asked.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Kamaraj couldn't sleep without AC': Tiruchi Siva's claim has Congress fuming, ally DMK in damage control
At a DMK public meeting in Perambur 15 July, Siva purportedly said Karunanidhi told him that Kamaraj would not be able to sleep without an air conditioner owing to his skin allergy. While Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K. Selvaperunthagai and Congress MP Jothimani condemned the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Rajya Sabha MP for his comments, Opposition AIADMK and BJP latched on to his statement to drive a wedge between the two parties. Chennai: DMK MP Tiruchi Siva's claim that former chief minister K. Karunanidhi once told him that Congress stalwart K. Kamaraj would get an allergy if he did not sleep in an air-conditioned room has sparked unease between INDIA bloc allies Congress and DMK. In a social media video, Siva could be heard purportedly saying, 'When I was around 23 or 24, Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) would take me in his car and recount some events. Some people would question why he was telling these things to a young kid. But he knew I would speak about them in public meetings and convey them effectively to people.' 'He would tell me many such stories. One day, he told me this, 'Kamarajar has organised condemnation meetings all over Tamil Nadu against electricity shortage. Kamarajar would get an allergy if he didn't have air conditioning'. So, he (Karunanidhi) ordered that all the visitors' bungalows where he stayed be equipped with air conditioning,' Siva said in the public meeting at Perambur. Siva's statements sparked a backlash as many saw it as a distortion of Kamaraj's legacy and simplicity. Former BJP president K. Annamalai said it was not a surprise that the DMK is attempting to disgrace great leader Kamaraj. 'Even when Kamaraj was alive, the late DMK leader Mr. Karunanidhi criticised him with derogatory words, and the nation knows it,' he said in a post on X on Thursday. Speaking to the reporters on Thursday, he also questioned if the Congress is ready to leave the DMK-led alliance in the state. 'Why is the Congress still silent after the DMK is making factually incorrect statements about K Kamarajar. Is the Congress ready to leave the DMK alliance? Is the Congress prepared to contest the elections alone to save its dignity,' he asked while speaking to reporters in Chennai Thursday. Condemning Siva, Congress MP Jothimani said such false claims and narratives were used to target the Congress stalwart during his active political career too. 'The whole world knows how Kamaraj lived and how much he had at the time of his death,' she told reporters in Karur Wednesday evening. In a post on X, she said Siva's remark was contrary to the truth. 'As a chief minister, he stayed in government guest houses, and if it was too hot, he would sleep under a tree on a cot. He was a simple man who even told his security personnel to rest and was accustomed to sleeping alone. The claim by brother Thiru Tiruchi Siva that Kamarajar would not sleep without an air-conditioned room is entirely contrary to the truth,' she said. She added that Siva's statement must be seen as a continuation of the myths propagated in the past with political malice against the leader. The DMK has often criticised the Congress stalwart through cartoons and remarks. Siva's comments, coming on the day Kamaraj's 123rd birth anniversary was celebrated across the state, have reignited tensions between the DMK and its ally Congress. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin stepped in soon and asked his cadres to not give any room to 'evil-minded people' to stir trouble in the alliance and revel in it. 'Let us all unite and work to fulfill the dreams of the great leader (K. Kamaraj) who dedicated his entire life to building social justice and secular harmony! Let us avoid pointless debates!' he said in a post on X on Thursday. He also recalled how rationalist Periyar alias E.V. Ramasamy once praised Kamaraj as a 'true Tamilian'. 'Peraringar Anna (former chief minister C. N. Annadurai) was the one who decided not to field a candidate against the great leader in the Gudiyatham byelection. When the great leader passed away, Tamil leader Kalaignar stood like a son, in making arrangements for the final respects, establishing a memorial and declaring his birthday as education development day,' Stalin recalled in his post on X. Siva also issued a clarification Wednesday night, saying he speaks passionately and emotionally about Kamaraj. 'There is a growing debate assuming that I spoke in a manner that tarnished the reputation of the great leader Kamarajar. Many are aware that even when I speak about leaders from opposition, I criticise them with decorum,' he said, asking people not to make his speech a subject of further debate. 'It is my usual practice to speak passionately and emotionally on various platforms about Kamarajar, who opened the eyes of people through education and served a guiding light for India by enabling children from poor households to attend school through the midday meal scheme,' he said. Also Read: Eyeing larger share of pie in seat-sharing talks, allies keep pressure on DMK ahead of TN polls Opposition gets fodder Opposition AIADMK criticised the Congress for 'not condemning' Siva enough for his remarks. 'Congress leaders should exhibit more spine in condemning. No true Congressmen would accept such a remark against the Congress stalwart and a man who is known for his simplicity,' AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told ThePrint. Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan expressed pain over Siva's comments and condemned him and his party DMK. 'Kamaraj is known for his simplicity and integrity. He is a role model for politicians in the state. His tenure in the state is regarded as the golden period,' Vasan said in a statement Thursday. Meanwhile, actor-turned politician Vijay's TVK demanded a public apology from Siva for his 'false allegations'. 'Kamaraj is our ideological leader and he is a symbol of honesty and simplicity. Siva should seek a public apology. The TNCC will stay silent, but the TVK will not if our ideological leaders are targeted,' K. Arunraj, the TVK General Secretary said in a statement Thursday. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: PMK foundation day overshadowed by father-son feud as Anbumani Ramadoss pitches for share in TN govt
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
VCK Chief Thol Thirumavalan Apologises For Controversial Same-Sex Love Remark After Backlash
The controversy erupted after Thirumavalan described same-sex love as 'perversion', garnering strong condemnation from queer activists Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol Thirumavalan has issued a public apology following backlash from the LGBTQ+ community and activists over his comments on same-sex relationships. The controversy erupted after Thirumavalan described same-sex love as 'perversion", a remark that has since drawn widespread criticism, even from within his own political circle. Thirumavalan made the controversial statement during an interaction with media on July 3, where he suggested that same-sex love is unnatural and goes against societal norms. His comments quickly garnered strong condemnation from queer activists, who termed his words regressive and harmful. In response to the public outcry, Thirumavalan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his regret, clarifying that his words were misconstrued and apologising for any offense caused. The initial remarks were condemned by several LGBTQ+ activists who questioned Thirumavalan's understanding of same-sex love and its significance for individuals in the community. Prominent activists across Tamil Nadu argued that his language perpetuated stigma against queer individuals and set back the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. In a joint statement, the Tamil Nadu Queer Collective (TNQC) demanded that Thirumavalan be held accountable for his words. 'This is not just an insensitive remark. It's a reflection of the deep-rooted homophobia still prevalent in mainstream political discourse. We demand a clear stand from Thirumavalan on his support for LGBTQ+ rights," the group said. The sentiment was echoed by several political commentators who criticised Thirumavalan, a leader from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-aligned alliance, for making regressive statements that ran counter to the progressive ideals that his party and the broader Dravidian movement are known for. The Apology In his apology, Thirumavalan expressed that his remarks were intended to reflect personal views, but he also acknowledged the importance of respecting individual freedoms. His decision to apologise came after discussions with party leaders and allies, who advised him to take a more inclusive stance on such sensitive issues. While some activists and party members welcomed the apology, others remain skeptical, questioning whether Thirumavalan's words were a result of political pressure or a genuine change in perspective. 'An apology is one thing, but we need sustained actions in support of the rights of marginalized communities. One apology doesn't change centuries of societal discrimination," said an LGBTQ+ advocate who preferred to remain anonymous. The comment and subsequent apology have sparked a debate within the Tamil Nadu political scene, particularly within the DMK-led alliance. While some have voiced support for Thirumavalan's apology, others see it as a reflection of the broader struggle within political parties to reconcile traditional values with the growing demands for LGBTQ+ rights. Political analyst K Rajendran noted that leaders in Tamil Nadu, including those in the DMK coalition, have been increasingly caught between promoting progressive social policies and holding onto regional cultural values that may not always align with inclusivity. 'Thirumavalan's apology may have been an attempt to assuage anger, but it raises deeper questions about how politicians truly view marginalised communities," he remarked. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
