Latest news with #Nagendran
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Gold trail leads to revival of ‘cash-for-votes' case against Tamil Nadu BJP chief
Tamil Nadu's CB-CID has revived a high-profile cash-for-votes case involving state BJP president and Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagendran. Citing the money trail and call data records, the agency has formally placed on record an alleged link between top BJP leaders and the seizure in April 2024 of Rs 3.98 crore cash, allegedly meant to bribe voters. The case, once dismissed as 'dead' by the BJP leadership, has gained new traction with the arrest of a key accused, who police said admitted to converting gold into cash — tightening the probe around Nagendran's inner circle. The deepening scandal has led to fears in the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP that Nagendran could face arrest ahead of next year's Assembly election in the state. According to court documents, investigators arrested a man named Sooraj on June 30 for allegedly exchanging Rs 97.92 lakh in cash after selling a 1.5-kg gold bar. The CB-CID told the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai that Sooraj was approached by Vignesh, the driver of BJP's industrial wing president Govardhan, allegedly to facilitate the transaction. The agency alleged that call record analysis confirmed the involvement of Govardhan, BJP treasurer S R Sekhar, and state general secretary (organisation) Kesava Vinayakan in the distribution effort. Police suspect the money was intended to be funnelled to voters in Tirunelveli in support of Nagendran, who contested and lost the parliamentary seat in 2024. The court granted Sooraj bail on July 10, noting that the offences listed under Sections 171(C), 171(E), 171(F), and 188 of the Indian Penal Code are bailable. The case originated on April 6, 2024, when a flying squad of the Election Commission and Tambaram police seized Rs 3.98 crore in Rs 500 notes from three men aboard the Nellai Express. The trio — S Sathish, S Perumal, and S Naveen — claimed the cash was to be distributed to voters on Nagendran's instructions. Sathish, identified as the manager of a Chennai hotel allegedly owned by Nagendran, was in possession of the BJP leader's identity card and other documents, according to officials. Although the case was initially handled by Tambaram police, it was transferred to the CB-CID's Metro wing in April. Since then, the agency has summoned multiple BJP leaders, including Nagendran, for questioning. While Nagendran has denied any connection to the seized cash, CB-CID investigators have maintained that the money trail and testimonies point to a coordinated effort involving top state BJP leaders.
Deccan Herald
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Palaniswami launches AIADMK's 2026 Tamil Nadu election campaign with BJP leaders in tow
Nagendran, the newly appointed chief of the TN BJP, and Murugan, who hails from the western region and is now the party's Dalit face, joined Palaniswami atop his specially designed bus.
NDTV
07-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
15 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Return From Iran, Efforts On To Rescue Others
Chennai: A group of 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were stranded in Iran following the Iran-Israel war have returned safely to Chennai. They were received at the Chennai airport by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who later addressed the media regarding the rescue efforts. Nagendran explained that the fishermen, hailing from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari regions, had travelled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, due to rising conflict in the region, they were unable to continue working and expressed their desire to return home. "Upon receiving information about their situation, I immediately contacted the Minister of External Affairs. Emergency food supplies were arranged for the stranded fishermen on one of the islands. Efforts are also underway to rescue more fishermen from another island," Nagendran said. Since direct flights from Iran were not feasible, the fishermen were brought to Dubai by ship and, from there, flown to Delhi, eventually reaching Chennai. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the rescue. The Tamil Nadu BJP funded the entire operation. Ajith, a fisherman from Uvari, expressed gratitude to the BJP for bringing them back. "Due to war tensions, we couldn't work and were struggling even for food. We reached out to Nainar Nagendran, and he arranged for our return," he said. Anto, another fisherman, recalled, "We went to Iran in February, but the situation became tense and we couldn't go fishing for two months. We informed the BJP leadership, and they made arrangements for food and shelter. Tamil Nadu government officials did not reach out to us at all. All 15 of us from our group are now back, though another group on a different island is still stranded." Mani from Tirunelveli shared the hardships they faced: "The war zone was intense. We needed GPS equipment to fish, but it wasn't provided. Our boat owner offered no help. We remained stranded on the boat since June 13. No one came to rescue us except Nainar Nagendran, who responded within a week of our plea. We haven't received any wages, and the trauma remains. Seeing my wife and children will help me recover. He saved us like a god." The Tamil Nadu BJP has promised to continue rescue efforts to bring back the remaining fishermen from Iran. Nagendran also commented on actor Vijay's recent statement about not aligning with any party. "While Vijay now says he prefers to stand alone, the common goal between us and Vijay is that DMK should not remain in power. I had suggested unity based on that shared view," he stated. "Ever since the BJP and AIADMK reunited under the NDA alliance, DMK leaders have been visibly anxious. That's why they push the 'B-team' narrative. They said the same about TVK Chief Vijay and MNM Chief Kamal Haasan. Now Kamal is with the DMK, even an MP under their banner," he added. Nagendran reaffirmed that with 10 months still to go before the Assembly elections, political strategies may evolve, and alliances could shift.
India Gazette
07-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
15 fishermen returned from Iran, efforts on to rescue others, says Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nagendran
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], July 7 (ANI): A group of 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were stranded in Iran following the Iran-Israel war have returned safely to Chennai. They were received at the Chennai airport by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who later addressed the media regarding the rescue efforts. Nagendran explained that the fishermen, hailing from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari regions, had travelled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, due to rising conflict in the region, they were unable to continue working and expressed their desire to return home. 'Upon receiving information about their situation, I immediately contacted the Minister of External Affairs. Emergency food supplies were arranged for the stranded fishermen on one of the islands. Efforts are also underway to rescue more fishermen from another island,' Nagendran said. Since direct flights from Iran were not feasible, the fishermen were brought to Dubai by ship and, from there, flown to Delhi, eventually reaching Chennai. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the rescue. The Tamil Nadu BJP funded the entire operation. Ajith, a fisherman from Uvari, expressed gratitude to the BJP for bringing them back. 'Due to war tensions, we couldn't work and were struggling even for food. We reached out to Nainar Nagendran, and he arranged for our return,' he said. Anto, another fisherman, recalled, 'We went to Iran in February, but the situation became tense and we couldn't go fishing for two months. We informed the BJP leadership, and they made arrangements for food and shelter. Tamil Nadu government officials did not reach out to us at all. All 15 of us from our group are now back, though another group on a different island is still stranded.' Mani from Tirunelveli shared the hardships they faced: 'The war zone was intense. We needed GPS equipment to fish, but it wasn't provided. Our boat owner offered no help. We remained stranded on the boat since June 13. No one came to rescue us except Nainar Nagendran, who responded within a week of our plea. We haven't received any wages, and the trauma remains. Seeing my wife and children will help me recover. He saved us like a god.' The Tamil Nadu BJP has promised to continue rescue efforts to bring back the remaining fishermen from Iran. Nagendran also commented on actor Vijay's recent statement about not aligning with any party. 'While Vijay now says he prefers to stand alone, the common goal between us and Vijay is that DMK should not remain in power. I had suggested unity based on that shared view,' he stated. 'Ever since the BJP and AIADMK reunited under the NDA alliance, DMK leaders have been visibly anxious. That's why they push the 'B-team' narrative. They said the same about TVK Chief Vijay and MNM Chief Kamal Haasan. Now Kamal is with the DMK, even an MP under their banner,' he added. Nagendran reaffirmed that with 10 months still to go before the Assembly elections, political strategies may evolve, and alliances could shift. (ANI)
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
15 fishermen returned from Iran, efforts on to rescue others, says Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nagendran
CHENNAI: A group of 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were stranded in Iran following the Iran-Israel war have returned safely to Chennai. They were received at the Chennai airport by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who later addressed the media regarding the rescue efforts. Nagendran explained that the fishermen, hailing from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari regions, had travelled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, due to rising conflict in the region, they were unable to continue working and expressed their desire to return home. "Upon receiving information about their situation, I immediately contacted the Minister of External Affairs. Emergency food supplies were arranged for the stranded fishermen on one of the islands. Efforts are also underway to rescue more fishermen from another island," Nagendran said. S ince direct flights from Iran were not feasible, the fishermen were brought to Dubai by ship and, from there, flown to Delhi, eventually reaching Chennai. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the rescue. The Tamil Nadu BJP funded the entire operation. Ajith, a fisherman from Uvari, expressed gratitude to the BJP for bringing them back. "Due to war tensions, we couldn't work and were struggling even for food. We reached out to Nainar Nagendran, and he arranged for our return," he said. Anto, another fisherman, recalled, "We went to Iran in February, but the situation became tense and we couldn't go fishing for two months. We informed the BJP leadership, and they made arrangements for food and shelter. Tamil Nadu government officials did not reach out to us at all. All 15 of us from our group are now back, though another group on a different island is still stranded." Mfrom Tirunelveli shared the hardships they faced: "The war zone was intense. We needed GPS equipment to fish, but it wasn't provided. Our boat owner offered no help. We remained stranded on the boat since June 13. No one came to rescue us except Nainar Nagendran, who responded within a week of our plea. We haven't received any wages, and the trauma remains. Seeing my wife and children will help me recover. He saved us like a god. " The Tamil Nadu BJP has promised to continue rescue efforts to bring back the remaining fishermen from Iran. Nagendran also commented on actor Vijay's recent statement about not aligning with any party. "While Vijay now says he prefers to stand alone, the common goal between us and Vijay is that DMK should not remain in power. I had suggested unity based on that shared view," he stated. "Ever since the BJP and AIADMK reunited under the NDA alliance, DMK leaders have been visibly anxious. That's why they push the 'B-team' narrative. They said the same about TVK Chief Vijay and MNM Chief Kamal Haasan. Now Kamal is with the DMK, even an MP under their banner," he added. Nagendran reaffirmed that with 10 months still to go before the Assembly elections, political strategies may evolve, and alliances could shift.
