Latest news with #MDMK
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Denial of Rajya Sabha seat to Vaiko won't affect alliance, says Durai Vaiko
MDMK principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko on Friday said the 'denial' of a Rajya Sabha seat to MDMK general secretary Vaiko [though there was no formal agreement with the DMK on this] had hurt the party cadre and office-bearers, but it would have no bearing on the DMK-led alliance (of which the party is a constituent) in the State. Addressing journalists in Tiruchi, Mr. Durai Vaiko said the party cadre, office-bearers, and well wishers, who were disappointed over the Rajya Sabha seat, expressed concern on various platforms, including social media. 'Mr. Vaiko, in his 61 years of public life, was held in high regard by the people and State and national leaders, including many Prime Ministers. He was at the forefront in protecting the interest of Tamils and Tamil Nadu. Many wanted him to be renominated to the Rajya Sabha to raise his voice for the Tamils. Though the cadres were disappointed, the MDMK would get over it in the interest of the State,' he added. To a question, Mr. Durai Vaiko said the MDMK was allotted a Lok Sabha seat and a Rajya Sabha seat during the seat allocation negotiation with the DMK in 2019. It was allotted a Lok Sabha seat in 2024 and, according to him, the DMK leadership had said a Rajya Sabha seat would be allotted at an appropriate time. When the MDMK insisted on a formal announcement, the DMK leaders had assured the party that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin would take a favourable stand, especially when it came to Mr. Vaiko's nomination, he alleged. When asked whether it would lead to the break up of the DMK-led alliance in the State in the run up to the Assembly election, Mr. Durai Vaiko said it would not have any bearing on the alliance. Mr. Vaiko was offered a Cabinet berth at the Centre thrice. But, he declined the offers as he was not after posts or positions. Hence, the alliance would continue in the interest of the State, he said. Condemns 'Hindi imposition' Meanwhile, in a statement, Mr. Durai Vaiko condemned the All India Radio for broadcasting Hindi programmes on its 102.1 FM station in Tiruchi in the nights. While Tamil programmes were broadcast between 5.50 a.m. and 11 p.m., the FM station switched over to Hindi programmes from 11 p.m. It was nothing but an attempt to impose Hindi in the State, he said
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Unhappy, but we will move on: Durai Vaiko on RS seat snub
Trichy: MDMK principal secretary Durai Vaiko has expressed disappointment at party chief and his father, Vaiko , not being renominated as Rajya Sabha MP. However, he said at a press conference in Trichy on Friday that the party has chosen to move on for the larger interest of Tamil Nadu and well-being of the DMK-led alliance. Stating that Vaiko is the brand and identity of MDMK, Durai said they hope the DMK would compensate them for the 'disappointment' by treating MDMK with 'dignity' in seat allocation for the ensuing assembly election. "Post is not a matter for our leader (Vaiko) as he rejected opportunities not once but thrice in the past to become a Union cabinet minister. We believed that DMK would fulfill the assurance given to us as part of the alliance, by allocating a Rajya Sabha seat. Now, we feel disappointed and sad, but we choose to move on for the alliance to stay intact," Durai Vaiko said. The MP said that when MDMK joined the DMK alliance in 2019 along with Communists and VCK, they were promised one Lok Sabha seat and one Rajya Sabha seat. As Vaiko developed cardiac issues back then, he was urged to become a Rajya Sabha MP due to his health conditions. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, MDMK's key functionaries demanded a Rajya Sabha seat again, but as there was more than a year left in the existing RS term, MDMK believed that DMK would certainly allocate them an RS seat later, he said.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Councillor alleges corruption in Tirunelveli corporation, demands removal of commissioner
TIRUNELVELI: Tirunelveli Corporation council meeting on Thursday turned chaotic after MDMK councillor J Sangeetha staged a walkout, demanding the removal of Commissioner Dr N O Sukhaputra, blaming the latter for allegedly enabling corruption. During the meeting, chaired by Mayor G Ramakrishnan in the presence of Deputy Mayor K R Raju and the commissioner, Sangeetha alleged that a few temporary employees, with no official links to the corporation, have been executing office-related works, including computer operations. "All corporation works are routed only through these individuals, resulting in rampant corruption. When I questioned this, the commissioner began targeting me with retaliatory actions," she said, before walking out of the session, demanding his removal. The situation escalated after several DMK councillors, including M Sudha of Ward 29, also criticised the administration, claiming that no developmental works have taken place in their wards since the mayor assumed office. "Last month, Rs 10 lakh was announced as special funds for each ward, but the resolution is being passed only now. By the time the works begin, the Assembly elections will be announced," said Sudha. Many ruling party councillors joined in voicing their frustration over delays and a lack of transparency. M Revathi, zonal head of Thachanallur, alleged that her zone was ignored in the allotment of the newly procured three backhoe loaders. The deputy mayor, Raju, responded that he was unaware of the purchase of the machines. "Neither the mayor nor the commissioner shares any information with me," he said. Refuting all the allegations, the commissioner told the council that a complaint against Sangeetha was already under investigation. He also alleged that he had received offensive text messages from her phone. "Those messages are also a part of the ongoing inquiry," he said. Several officials stood up in protest, defending the commissioner. Mayor Ramakrishnan said that councillors must not bring unrelated matters into the meeting and warned them of stern action. Statue for historian As part of the meeting, several resolutions were passed, including one to instal a life-size statue of historian Tho Paramasivan near the District Central Library and another to increase the deposit fee for underground drainage connections. While the meeting was in progress, social activist R Siraj staged a sit-in protest with polluted Thamirabarani river water, alleging that sewage had been mixed into the drinking water supplied to the residents.
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Alliance with DMK-led front based on shared principles, not on seats: Durai Vaiko
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) MP Durai Vaiko on Friday said that the party's alliance with the ruling DMK-led front is based on shared principles against communal forces and not to bargain for more seats in Assembly and Parliamentary elections. Interacting with media persons here, he said that MDMK joined DMK-led front, now INDIA bloc, seven years ago with shared principles of not allowing communal forces, especially BJP to get foothold in Tamil Nadu. The importance of the alliance assumes significance in the present scenario as minorities are facing threats from communal forces especially in non-BJP ruling States. 'As we [MDMK] step into the eighth year in the alliance, our alliance is to oppose communal forces, which have a strong foothold in northern States where threats to minorities are visible. Shared principles have brought us together,' he said. Asked about Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi over a reported farewell accorded to Vice-Chancellor of Periyar University R. Jagannathan, who has been facing corruption charges, Mr. Vaiko said that Mr. Ravi has been acting against the State government and working as an agent of Centre (Union government) since he assumed office as Governor in the State. Tamil Nadu Governor's action was not only against his Constitutional responsibilities but also against social justice, he added. Appreciating the ruling DMK's four years of achievements, the Tiruchi MP said that DMK assumed power in May 2021 when the State was reeling under a second wave of COVID-19 with deep financial constraints. In the following years, the State government also faced non-cooperation from the Centre in disbursal of funds, new schemes for Tamil Nadu and refusal by Governor Mr. Ravi to assent to bills by the State Assembly. 'Despite these constraints, Tamil Nadu has secured 9.67% GDP growth rate in 2024, highest among States in the country. The State also attracted over Rs 10 lakh crore investments from abroad. All this has to be welcomed,' he said.
The Hindu
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Councillors seek intervention of Stalin in fulfilling residents' demand to rename key roads
: A section of councillors in Chennai has sought the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to rename certain roads in the city. On Thursday, MDMK councillor S. Jeevan submitted an online representation to the Chief Minister's office, demanding that Triplicane High Road be renamed after Oviya Perunthagai Venugopal Sarma, the artist who created the universally accepted portrait of Tiruvalluvar. 'Oviya Perunthagai Venugopal Sarma painted the portrait of Tiruvalluvar — free from caste or religious bias and firmly rooted in Dravidian ideology — after doing meticulous research on Tirukkural. He lived near Triplicane High Road, on Besant Road. Despite my repeated appeals to rename Triplicane High Road in his honour, there has been no response from the Chennai Corporation Council,' Mr. Jeevan said. 'Both Anna and Kalaignar had deep admiration for the artist and his invaluable contribution to Dravidian art and culture,' he added. DMK councillor T.V. Shemmozhi sought the installation of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's statue on Anna Nagar Second Avenue and the renaming of the stretch after Dravidian stalwart Perasiriyar K. Anbazhagan, who inculcated the younger generation with ideals of rationalism, based on extensive research of Tirukkural and other literary works. 'Thousands of young IAS aspirants, preparing for the civil services examination, throng the important stretch of Anna Nagar Second Avenue, because of the presence of a large number of coaching centres in the area. The renaming of the road will inspire the younger generation to learn about the great leaders of Dravidian ideology, which is crucial for peace, harmony, modernisation, growth and development of India,' Mr. Shemmozhi said. AIADMK councillor J. John said: 'Many roads in Korattur are named after a particular caste of people who lived in the area several centuries ago. Now, residents of all castes live here in peace and harmony without social discrimination. So we request the State government to rename such roads after leaders who promoted social harmony,' Mr. John said. The Council refused to permit the councillors to speak, whenever they tried to bring up the need for renaming the roads, claiming that the government had to take a decision, he said.
