Latest news with #EdappadiK.Palaniswami
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Palaniswami promises protection to traditional fishermen, holds meeting with weavers
Promising protection and a meaningful dialogue with Sri Lankan government through Union government, the interests of fishermen from Tamil Nadu would be accorded priority, AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Thursday. Speaking at an interaction with leaders of fishermen and representatives of weavers, accompanied by former Minister and AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar, Mr. Palaniswami said that the AIADMK, if elected to power in 2026 elections, would certainly take up the issue of fishermen with the Union government. 'I give an assurance that there will be a big change in your lives and we will find a lasting solution,' he said. The country boat fishermen submitted a memorandum to the former Chief Minister, who assured them to look into their grievances. The AIADMK government had not only ordered waiver of crop loans during crisis due to natural calamities, but also helped farmers get ₹540 crore through claims from the insurance companies. The eligible farmers were given three-phase power connection with 24-hour quality electricity, he pointed out. The AIADMK government had desilted tanks and channels under special scheme by earmarking funds. Such was the commitment to stakeholders, Mr. Palaniswami said and wanted the fishermen leaders to think of the situation now. The AIADMK had proposed to establish Cauvery-Gundar water scheme at ₹14,400 crore and preparatory work was commenced then. However, the DMK had put it in cold storage. He promised that the AIADMK would revive the ambitious project and sought the support of farmers. River linking scheme A surplus of 1.24 lakh cusecs of water released from Mettur dam drained into the sea in the last few days. Had the Cauvery-Gundar scheme been implemented, this water could have reached parched regions such as Ramanathapuram district, he said. The weavers' cooperative societies were generating generating in a big way because of innovative schemes launched by them (AIADMK) while he urged the members to think of their present plight. Later, Mr. Palaniswami visited the King Sethupathi palace, where he was received by Muthuramalinga Nagendra Sethupathi and his mother Lakshmi Nachiar. He was taken around the palace and shown the antiques. He paid tributes to the portrait of the late King.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
AIADMK supports State govt.'s efforts on Keeladi issue: Edappadi K. Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday said his party supported the efforts of the State government with regard to archaeological excavations. After visiting Keeladi Museum here, Mr. Palaniswami said he, however, could not comment on the ongoing dialogue between the State and the Central governments on publishing the Keeladi report on the initial phase of excavation conducted by Archaeological Survey of India as he was unclear about what the Centre had asked. The statement was regarding the Centre's direction to ASI archaeologist Amarnath Ramakrishna to revise the report on Keeladi excavation and his subsequent refusal to do so. The former Chief Minister said the archaeological excavations at Keeladi were carried out during the AIADMK regime. 'It was during the AIADMK regime that the Keeladi excavations first began in 2014. The first phase of the study, led by Amarnath Ramakrishnan, started in 2015.' The excavations were conducted in the subsequent years. Above all, it was former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who laid the foundation for a grand museum worth ₹12.5 crore to display the artefacts found then. During the third phase of excavation in 2017-18, as many as 5,820 artefacts were unearthed. Further, in 2018, six samples were sent to a laboratory in Florida, USA, and it was confirmed that the Keeladi civilisation dated back to 6th century BC. 'When I spoke in the Assembly in 2018, I mentioned that the Keeladi study plays a significant role in highlighting our traditional glory. We inaugurated an exhibition of 6,720 archaeological artifacts on the campus of Madurai World Tamil Sangam,' he added. In 2020, some of the artifacts were displayed at Chennai Book Fair, but today, some were politicising Keeladi for gaining political mileage, he further said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Final alliance to be announced closer to polls, says Palaniswami
AIADMK and BJP are part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the BJP is also in alliance with several other parties, said AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami. 'We still have eight more months. Closer to the elections, we will announce the full list of alliance partners,' said told the media in Tiruchi. He welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to withdraw its alleged controversial circular to PACS mandating CIBIL score checks for farm loans, a move he said came only after he submitted a petition to the Prime Minister. 'Whether in power or not, we will continue to speak for the people,' he said. When asked about his remarks on the 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars in the earlier campaigns in the northern districts, said, 'That issue is over. There is no need to create unnecessary confusion among the public. Let us not blow this out of proportion. The Union government has already taken a clear stand on the matter across India.'
The Print
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Why EPS' call for anti-DMK alliance meets only rejection and silence
On 7 July 2025, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) launched a statewide campaign, 'Makkalai Kappom, Thamizhagathai Meetpom' (Let us protect the people, let us reclaim Tamil Nadu), in Coimbatore. Political analysts in Tamil Nadu say the shadow of AIADMK's alliance with the BJP is complicating a potential partnership with the Opposition AIADMK in the state. Chennai: In a bid to forge a formidable anti-DMK alliance for the 2026 assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami extended a public invitation to parties including the ruling DMK allies Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), CPI and CPM, apart from Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and Seeman's Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK)—only to face rejection or silence. But with AIADMK firmly aligned with the BJP in the NDA Alliance, his overtures were met with sharp rejections. Political analyst N. Sathiya Moorthy said that the rejections and the cautious silence were largely due to the AIADMK's association with the BJP, which remains a polarising force in Tamil Nadu's Dravidian-dominated political landscape. 'Although EPS's invitations were strategic, aimed at consolidating anti-DMK forces under AIADMK's leadership, being in alliance with BJP is a barrier for other parties. Although rejections of VCK, CPI and CPI(M) may be because of their long standing understanding with the DMK, the rejections from Seeman's NTK and Vijay's TVK are largely because of the BJP, which they consider as an opponent in the state's political landscape,' N Sathiya Moorthy said. It was on 16 July, during his campaign in Chidambaram, that EPS openly courted the VCK and left parties, pointing to their treatment in the ruling coalition. 'Despite being allies of the ruling party, DMK is not even allowing them to hoist their party flags nor hold their party meetings or conferences,' EPS said referring to VCK, CPI and CPI(M). He also wondered why they were still in the DMK alliance, enduring humiliation. 'We will lay a red carpet to the alliance parties,' EPS said. However, on 17 July, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan rejected the call stating that they are committed to the secular alliance formed under the leadership of DMK. 'We have made it very clear that VCK won't be part of any alliance which has BJP and PMK. EPS's attempt to destabilise us won't work,' Thirumavalavan told the reporters in Chennai. CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan criticised EPS' campaign and said, 'This is nothing but a desperate bid to protect himself and his ally BJP.' Political analysts like Priyan Srinivasan said that the AIADMK leader is losing political dignity by inviting anti-BJP parties. 'As a former Chief Minister and the opposition leader of the state, he should maintain a level of political decorum. Having BJP by his side and inviting all anti-BJP parties does not look good for him politically. It will not only make him uneasy, but also the BJP, which has joined the AIADMK alliance one year before the assembly elections,' Priyan Srinivasan said. However, when asked about the rejection of the DMK allies, EPS said in Cuddalore on 16 July that he was only referring to how they are being treated in the DMK alliance and did not invite them for an alliance. Subsequently, on 22 July, during his campaign in the Delta districts, EPS invited NTK and TVK to join his alliance against the ruling DMK. 'Only a united opposition can topple the Stalin government,' EPS said, while addressing the gathering in Delta districts. However, on 23 July, speaking to the reporters in Villupuram, NTK leader Seeman rejected the call stating that one corrupt party cannot be used to uproot another corrupt party. 'Fire cannot be doused with another fire. Water is needed to put out the fire and we are the water that will douse corruption,' Seeman told the reporters. Vijay's TVK, although not responding directly to EPS' call, posted on its official X handle that their leader would be the people's favourite chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 assembly elections. 'We will create history by delivering a massive victory in 2026 and make Thalapathy Vijay our CM candidate,' the post read. Also read: No coalition govt, alliance only for 2026 polls—EPS contradicts Amit Shah on AIADMK-BJP tie-up PMK, DMDK keep cards close to chest While DMK allies have clearly rejected EPS' call, former AIADMK allies, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) are yet to reveal their stand. On 15 July, while addressing the gathering in Neyveli, EPS said PMK was already in an alliance with the AIADMK. However, on 16 July, in their foundation day message, PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said that the party will be part of the coalition government formed after the 2026 assembly elections. 'PMK is not here to make any party to win the election and rule Tamil Nadu. We should also rule. Only when we are part of the government, will we be able to establish social justice,' he said in his foundation day message to party workers. Since Anbumani Ramadoss's statement came a day after EPS' call, it was assumed to be a demand from the PMK for a coalition government. When asked about it, EPS backtracked and clarified that it was his suggestion that PMK join the alliance. 'I made a statement that PMK might join the alliance. For now, PMK is not in the AIADMK alliance,' he said. When asked about the demand of the PMK, he said that they will think about it after the PMK joins the alliance. In 2021, PMK contested in as many as 23 seats as part of the AIADMK alliance and won in five seats. The DMDK, founded by actor turned politician Vijayakanth, a former ally of AIADMK in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, also kept EPS at arm's length. DMDK has said that the party will announce their stand on an alliance at their public meeting in Cuddalore in January 2026. Political analyst Priya Srinivasan noted that EPS' early push to unite the Opposition makes him appear desperate and weakens his position. 'Alliance is something that is meant to be formed just 50 to 60 days before the election. But, he forged an alliance with BJP a year before the election and called all the parties to join the election. Political parties still have time to weigh their options before joining an alliance. EPS' call for an alliance shows he is not confident of the existing alliance,' he said. Nevertheless, a former AIADMK minister told ThePrint that they forged an alliance with the BJP much earlier to blur the lines between the workers of both the parties. 'The intention was to overcome the differences between workers of both parties on the ground and to work together for the 2026 assembly election,' the former AIADMK minister said. However, political analyst P. Sigamani reiterated what other experts have said—the AIADMK is not getting the desired response because of their early alliance with the BJP. 'They wanted their cadre to work together. But, instead, it is creating more divisions among the workers because of EPS' call for alliance with multiple partners, including those who are traditionally against the national parties, especially BJP,' Sigamani said. On 22 July, EPS reiterated that the AIADMK-BJP alliance will continue intact and will win the election. 'I invite all the like minded parties to join the anti-DMK coalition,' he told the gathering in Thanjavur. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: Why EPS had a change of heart & greenlit AIADMK-BJP alliance talks ahead of Tamil Nadu polls
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
DMK government's failure to take stern action has emboldened criminals: Palaniswami
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, on Friday (July 25, 2025), alleged that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu was completely ruined under the DMK government. The DMK government's failure to take stern action and maintain law and order had emboldened criminals who have no fear of the police, he charged, citing a double murder reported in Avudaiyarkoil in Pudukottai district on Thursday night. Speaking to journalists in Pudukottai, he alleged that murder, robbery, thefts, crimes against children and targeted killings of elderly persons had become a regular feature. Only if criminals feared stern action, crimes would come down. However, that was not the case under the DMK government, Mr. Palaniswami said. There was no respect for honest and upright police officers under the DMK government. The prize given to such honest officers was suspension orders. 'It is not good for a government to take vindictive action against honest officers,' he said. The responsibility of the main Opposition party was to point out the problems and issues faced by the people, but those in power were just dismissing them instead of rectifying. The government was unaware of the problems faced by the people, he said. Asked whether he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tiruchi and Gangaikonda Cholapuram on Sunday (July 27), Mr. Palaniswami said he was not aware of the complete programme of the Prime Minister till now adding that he was yet to receive the official itinerary of Mr. Modi. Replying to a query, Mr. Palaniswami said several schemes launched during the AIADMK regime were withdrawn after the DMK came to power. Steps would be taken to implement them once the AIADMK returned to power. The former Chief Minister said he had so far covered 46 Assembly constituencies and met around 15 lakh people during his 'Makkalai Kaappom' campaign. The reception to his campaign had given him the hope of a huge victory for the AIADMK-led alliance, he said. 'Uruttukalum Thiruttukalum' outreach initiative Earlier, he launched the AIADMK's outreach initiative christened 'Uruttukalum Thiruttukalum' to circulate pamphlets containing a set of promises made by the DMK government in the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections to seek feedback from the people as to whether the promises had been fulfilled and to obtain their rating for the government.
