Latest news with #Palaniswami-led
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
OPS insists his group is part of NDA
Chennai: Former AIADMK coordinator O Panneerselvam , who leads a splinter group, on Thursday expressed disappointment at not being invited to meet Union minister Amit Shah during his visit to Chennai, when the poll deal with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was finalized. "It saddens us that we were not invited," he told reporters following a two-day meeting with functionaries to discuss election strategies. But Panneerselvam maintained that he was still part of the NDA . He said the views of district functionaries were recorded, and a well-informed decision will be made after gathering views of cadre and public at the district level within the next two weeks. He affirmed his group's continued association with the NDA. "We contested Lok Sabha elections as part of NDA. We are still part of the NDA. There is no difference of opinion in that," he said, while seeking to clarify that he did not seek an appointment with Amit Shah. Regarding the allotment of two leaves symbol by the EC to AIADMK led by Palaniswami, Panneerselvam said it was an interim arrangement since the Erode bypoll. Asked whether he would accept the Palaniswami-led NDA, Panneerselvam said he would not like to reply to hypothetical questions. He added that his group was focussed on securing the rights of cadre, as laid down by party founder M G Ramachandran in the party bylaws, to ensure that even a cadre can become party general-secretary.
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pollachi sexual assault case: Tamil Nadu politicians play shame-and-blame game
CHENNAI: Amid messages from political parties hailing the verdict of the Coimbatore Mahila Court in the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, the DMK and the AIADMK sparred over who should hang their 'head in shame' about the appalling crime that shook the conscience of Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin in his post on X said, 'Justice is done for a heinous crime committed by criminals, including an AIADMK functionary.' Taking a dig at the previous AIADMK regime, the CM said, 'Let the 'sirs' who tried to safeguard the gang of culprits, also comprising an AIADMK man, hang their heads in shame!' In response, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said it was the previous AIADMK government that arrested the accused and ordered a CBI investigation. Asking the CM to not take credit for the verdict, the leader of the opposition reiterated his party's allegation that the ruling DMK tried to protect the accused in the 2024 Anna University sexual assault case. 'The AIADMK will expose the DMK when Palaniswami-led government comes to power in 2026. Then, it is certain that the DMK will hang its head in shame,' the party said in an 'X' post.
Hindustan Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
TN CM, AIADMK hail Pollachi case verdict
Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and main opposition AIADMK on Tuesday welcomed a local court sentencing nine men to life imprisonment till death in the sensational Pollachi sexual assault and extortion case. The Coimbatore Mahila Court, which convicted and sentenced the nine, also ordered compensation of ₹85 lakh to the women victims. "Justice has been served for the atrocities committed by the wicked criminals including the AIADMK functionary," the Chief Minister said reacting to the verdict. A former AIADMK functionary was among the nine persons convicted. He was sacked from the party following his arrest earlier. In a post on the social media platform, Stalin said "those sirs who tried to protect the guilty in the AIADMK should feel ashamed." Hailing the judgment, the AIADMK said the government under former Chief Minister and Edappadi K Palaniswami had transferred the Pollachi sexual assault case to the CBI for an impartial enquiry, and as a result, due justice has been delivered today. Accusing the DMK of doing politics on the case, the party alleged in a post on 'X' that the ruling dispensation leaked the details of the Anna University college student who was sexually assaulted on the varsity campus last year. "We demanded a CBI probe to ensure justice for the woman student. But, this Stalin model DMK government opposed it. Who is the DMK trying to shield," the party asked. In the Pollachi case, the AIADMK government was the reason behind the arrest of the criminals who now got severe punishment, the party said. "The AIADMK will expose the DMK when Palaniswami-led party comes to power in 2026. Then, it is certain that the DMK will hang its head in shame," it claimed. Actor-politician and TVK leader Vijay too welcomed the verdict and said the ruling would give solace to the victims, who faced the case with courage and ensured that the criminals were punished. Vijay demanded that fast-track courts should be set up to expeditiously conduct trial of sexual harassment or assault cases against women and judgment should be delivered within 90 days. All India Democratic Women's Association state committee member S Rajalakshmi and CPI Puducherry unit, besides expelled AIADMK leader V K Sasikala hailed the Mahila Court's verdict.
