Latest news with #Stalin-led
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AIADMK vs ruling DMK over Anna University verdict: Opposition asks ‘who saved sir'; MK Stalin responds
A Chennai Mahila Court's verdict on Monday in the Anna University sexual assault case, which sentenced the convict to life imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years without remission, has triggered a war of words between Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK and the main Opposition party, AIADMK. The court found Gnanasekaran, a DMK supporter, guilty of sexually assaulting a second-year student on the university campus in December last year. Mahila Court Judge M Rajalakshmi, who convicted him on May 28, handed down sentences under 11 separate charges and imposed a fine of ₹90,000. AIADMK leader and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami accused chief minister MK Stalin and his government of trying to shield another individual allegedly linked to the incident, reportedly referred to only as 'Sir' in the FIR. In a post on 'X', the LoP reacted strongly to the verdict, 'In this case, the Stalin-led DMK government undertook numerous covert actions to protect the accused, DMK's Gnanasekaran,' Palaniswami wrote in Tamil. He added, 'Defying all such efforts, through continuous struggle–from public forums to social media–AIADMK has succeeded in ensuring punishment for one of the accused in this case.' Palaniswami welcomed the verdict. However, he questioned the investigation's integrity, citing the 'unexplained reference' to "Sir" in the FIR. 'Who is that, SIR? Who is the SIR mentioned in the FIR? Why was that SIR ruled out during the investigation? Why did the DMK government rush to conclude this case with only Gnanasekaran being named guilty? Who saved SIR?' Palaniswami's post read. In a sharp dig at the opposition, Tamil Nadu CM accused them of 'merely pretending to care about women's safety," adding that the probe was conducted in such a manner that the High Court had praised it. MK Stalin's post in Tamil said, 'The case concluded within just five months and resulted in a severe sentence for the perpetrator. Now that the verdict has been delivered, the Women's Court itself has commended the police for their excellent handling of the case.' He further accused the Opposition leaders of 'politicising' the incident, saying, 'The attempts by a few narrow-minded individuals to seek political gain even in an injustice suffered by a young woman have been completely shattered by this outcome, ' Stalin added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Anna University rape case: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin's response to AIADMK's 'who is that sir' question
NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted on Monday after the Anna University rape convict was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the opposition AIADMK intensifying its attack on the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government—demanding answers about the identity of the individual referred to as 'sir' in the FIR and questioning why he was excluded from the investigation. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, without taking any names, reacted noting that the court commended the "excellent performance of the police in this case." Opposition leader E Palanisami also accused of making "behind-the-scenes efforts" to shield Gananesekaran, the rape convict. "In this case, the Stalin-led DMK government made numerous behind-the-scenes efforts to shield the convict, DMK's Gnanasekaran," Palaniswami said in a post on X. "That's why we still ask the question: #WhoIsThatSIR—a question seeking full justice. Who is the "SIR" mentioned in the FIR? Why was he ruled out during the investigation? Why did the DMK government rush to conclude this case by pinning the blame solely on Gnanasekaran? #WhoProtectedSIR? These questions won't remain unanswered for long. Once @AIADMKOfficial returns to power, every truth will come to light. Even if Mr Stalin wishes otherwise, no "SIR" can be protected by any power," he added. Reacting to this, Stalin said, "During the trial, we have completed the Chennai student's case fairly and expeditiously in just five months, and secured a severe punishment for the culprit, much to the praise of the High Court itself. The women's court has also come forward to praise the police for their excellent performance in this case, as the verdict has been announced. This has put to shame the thoughts of some people with limited intelligence who would seek political gain even from the injustice done to a young woman. " BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also hit out at Stalin government questioning how could the state government take credit for it. "He has been convicted. There should be no relaxation in his punishment. I want to mention two things- the legal process has been fast, but I don't know how the Stalin government can take credit for it. If they are taking credit for this, then who will take responsibility for the incident?" she said. Last year, a second-year student at Anna University was sexually assaulted on campus. Following an investigation, Chennai Police arrested Gnanasekaran in connection with the incident. A Mahila Court in Chennai awarded the convict a life sentence for a minimum period of 30 years without remission and a fine of Rs 90,000.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Nagercoil Corporation's drinking water tax, deposit hike draws flak
Following the footsteps of Tirunelveli Corporation, the urban civic body of Nagercoil has also resolved to steeply hike the water tax only to draw the public ire and stiff resistance from the politicians affiliated to the AIADMK and the BJP. In the council meeting held here on Tuesday, the Corporation decided to increase the drinking water connection deposit and the monthly tax based on the plinth area of the houses or the commercial establishments. The AIADMK and the BJP councillors walked out of the council meeting in protest. Kanniyakumari MLA and former minister N. Thalavai Sundaram of AIADMK has criticised the Corporation's decision to upwardly revise the water tax and the deposits for getting drinking water connection He said in a statement that residents of the newly annexed areas like Thengampudhur in Kanniyakumari Assembly constituency and Aalur in Colachel Assembly segment would also have to pay this hiked tax and the deposit even though no project for giving drinking water connections to the residents had been implemented in these two areas under the AMRUT scheme. Terming the Corporation's decision as 'anti-people', Mr. Thalavai Sundaram said the Stalin-led Tamil Nadu Government, after 'torturing the public' by hiking power tariff, property tax, vacant land tax etc., had landed another punch on the face of the public in the form of water tax increase. As per the Nagercoil Corporation's decision, ₹5,000 would be collected as deposit from a house built with the plinth area of 600 square feet and this amount would be ₹10,000 for government offices, commercial establishments, factories and the educational institutions. When the plinth area goes up to 601 and 1,200 the deposit would be ₹7,500 and ₹15,000 respectively for houses and other non-residential establishments. And, the deposit would be ₹10,000 for houses and ₹20,000 for other structures (from 1,201 sq ft to 1,800 ₹12,000 for houses and ₹25,000 for other structures (from 1,801 sq ft to 2,400 The monthly drinking water tax has also been revised. While ₹120 a month will be collected for 10,000 litres of water a month from the houses, others will have to pay ₹360 a month. For every 1,000 litre over the 10,000 litre, ₹18 will be collected and this amount will be ₹54 for other non-residential establishments. This amount will increase based on the plinth area of the property from ₹140 a month (600 for houses to ₹180 a month (2,400 And, the amount to be collected for every 1,000 litre water consumed over the 10,000 litres will attract more tax ranging up to ₹27 per every 1,000 litre. 'The resolution passed by the Nagercoil Corporation on Tuesday will also compel those who have already paid the deposit to give the revised deposit amount. The people, who have been hit hard by inflation and the unprecedented hike in other taxes and tariff, will put an end to this atrocity very soon,' Mr. Thalavai Sundaram said.
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
AIADMK nod to panel conditions led to property tax hike, says TN minister Nehru
CHENNAI: Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru has alleged the annual revision of property tax in the state stems from the AIADMK government's acceptance of a stringent condition imposed by the 15th Finance Commission. Nehru was responding to a statement from former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami condemning the DMK government for its decision to increase property taxes in village panchayats across the state from the financial year 2025-26. Taking a dig at CM Stalin, Palaniswami said unlike former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who offered free electricity to huts, the Stalin-led government has been burdening the rural poor further with steep tax hikes. Nehru, in his response, said Palaniswami had agreed to link property tax revisions with the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) during his tenure, which has now resulted in the present system of annual hikes. 'Out of selfish motives, Palaniswami signed the condition laid down by the finance commission and that decision has led to the current situation,' Nehru said. He also warned failure to adhere to this condition could result in the Union Government withholding grants worth `4,36,361 crore meant for urban local bodies for the period 2021-26, along with funds under the Swachh Bharat and AMRUT 2.0 schemes. Palaniswami, in his statement, had said the Stalin-led DMK government has already increased property taxes more than twice in municipalities and municipal corporations since coming to power in 2021. Now, he alleged, the government has extended this burden to rural areas.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Union govt should stop misusing ED, says DMK
(You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Supreme Court staying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe against state-run liquor retailer Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation TASMAC ) is a "big blow" to the BJP's efforts to use the central probe agency to cast a shadow on the DMK's growing popularity, senior DMK leader RS Bharathi said on Thursday."The Union government should stop misusing ED at least after this," the former MP said while addressing reporters. "In Tamil Nadu, the Stalin-led DMK government that assumed office in 2021 has been gaining popularity and the chief minister's stature has been rising. Unable to digest this and the DMK alliance's electoral triumph after 2021, the ED was used to malign the party and the BJP leaders used to make all kinds of charges," he comments came after the SC stayed the money laundering probe against TASMAC over alleged corruption in grant of wine shop licences. He added that the party welcomed the decision while highlighting that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the ED has been used against non-BJP ruled states. He went on to say that the recent searches undertaken by ED were timed "seven-eight months" ahead of the state elections in Tamil Nadu. Further, he alleged that the ED has become a "blackmailing organisation."
