Madurai Kamaraj varsity V-C to resign over health issues

MADURAI: Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) Vice-chancellor J Kumar is set to resign, citing health issues. Kumar assumed office on April 1, 2022, and his tenure is for a period of three years. Even though he has 11 months before his tenure ends, Kumar reportedly wishes to retire before. According to sources, MKU has been facing a financial crisis for over four years. Every month, officials face challenges in obtaining funds from the higher education department. Over 6,000 audit objections prevented the university from getting grants from the state government, accumulated over 15 years during the former VCs tenure. The higher education department has also imposed conditions, including restructuring salaries, reassigning administrative designations in accordance with the ministerial staff and cancelling inappropriate appointments, among others. Even though Kumar tried to implement the conditions, the administrative staff approached the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court and got an interim stay. The court later ordered not to restructure the salaries or reassign the designations. Since the higher education department did not disburse funds to release the salaries as per the court orders, Kumar has decided to resign, sources said. Speaking to TNIE , Kumar said that plans to submit a resignation letter within two weeks, citing his health condition. There is no rule to submit my resignation. However, I have to discharge my responsibilities to the convener committee, he said.

Tamil Nadu: Court convicts Nirmala Devi in Madurai Kamaraj university sex racket case

VIRUDHUNAGAR: The Fast Track Mahila Court in Srivilliputhur on Monday convicted Nirmala Devi, the prime accused in the 2018 case involving a bid to lure female college students into giving sexual favours to Madurai Kamaraj university officials in exchange for marks and financial support. The high-profile case came to light after an audio clip purportedly of the former Devanga Arts college assistant professor attempting to lure the female students was circulated online. After the case became linked to the office of then Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Raj Bhavan refuted allegations of his involvement. While Nirmala Devi was convicted, the court acquitted the other two accused, former MKU assistant professor V Murugan and former MKU research scholar S Karuppasamy. Judge T Bagavathi Ammal said the quantum of punishment will be pronounced on Tuesday (April 30). According to sources, she was convicted under five sections, including sections of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Nirmala Devi, who was teaching at Devanga Arts college in Aruppukottai, was arrested by Aruppukottai Town police on April 16, 2018 under Sections 370 and 511 of the IPC and 67 of the IT Act following a complaint from the colleges secretary Ramasamy, stating that four female students had complained to him that Nirmala tried to engage them to provide sexual favors to MKU officials in return for marks and financial support. The case was transferred to CB-CID within days and Sections of 9 of Immoral Traffic Act and 4 of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act were also included. During the investigation, Murugan and Karuppasamy were also alleged to be involved in the crime and were arrested. TN to appeal against acquittal of two accused Governor Purohit, who addressed a press conference to refute the allegations against him, also set up a one-man committee led by retired IAS officer R Santhanam to probe the matter and file a report to him. Trial in the Fast Track Mahila court began in 2018. On Friday, the court adjourned the judgment to Monday as Nirmala wasnt present due to health issues. After the judge pronounced the verdict on Monday, Nirmala was arrested and remanded in Madurai Central Prison. Addressing reporters, the special public prosecutor M Chandrasekaran said the state would appeal against the acquittal of Murugan and Karuppasamy. He added that witnesses from MKU had turned hostile. One-man panel Former governor Banwarilal Purohit also set up a one-man committee to probe the matter and file a report to him

Tamil Nadu teacher held guilty in sexual favours case

Six years after an audio clip wherein Nirmala Devi, then an assistant professor at a Tamil Nadu college, was found luring girl students to offer sexual favours to senior officials went viral, she was convicted by Srivilliputhur Mahila Court on Monday. Two other individuals accused in the case, namely V Murugan, who is an assistant professor at Madurai Kamaraj University.

Politicians Start Taking Summer Breaks

Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin, along with his immediate family members, left Chennai by a special flight to Madurai en route to Kodaikanal for a week-long holiday after a hectic campaign schedule in the run up to the April 19 elections in the State to elect 39 members to the Lok Sabha. Many other leaders, including BJP State President K Annamalai, are also taking breaks as Tamil Nadu has completed the Lok Sabha election process in the first phase of polling itself and is on a long wait for the results that would be out only after June 4. The present eerie silence in the political arena with party leaders and functionaries keeping their fingers crossed for the results to be announced after all the seven phases of polling is completed all over the country and the government finding its hands tied due to the Model Code of Conduct still in force has given an opportunity for many to look for the break with their families. Annamalai, who started visiting temples soon after the polling was over, besides taking up campaign in Karnataka, is now planning a family holiday in Kodaikanal, the same salubrious hill station that the Chief Minister has also chosen. But his party is likely to assign him campaign duties in other States next. Sources said that DMK MP, Kanmozhi Karunanidhi, who contested the elections from her Thoothukudi constituency once again, may also travel to Singapore, where her husband lives, in the interregnum between the polling and the counting of votes. Many other leaders of the DMK are also planning to escape from the scorching heat in Chennai to cooler destinations like Ooty and Kodaikanal. Soon they will be all off to such destinations. Some leaders of the DMK, as the grapevine has it, are even taking their families to Maldives in the next few days as they had exhausted themselves working long hours during the three week campaign that preceded the polling in the State. Many top leaders of the ruling party, besides peeved by the soaring temperature in Chennai, feel that they have not much to do now as most of the party activities have come to a standstill and whatever work was left would resume only after the results were out and the new government formed. Though the top leaders of the State BJP too would like to take a summer break and get away from the scorching heat, it is said that they had been assigned election duties in various States that are going to polls in the coming phases of voting. The leaders from Tamil Nadu would be canvassing votes for the BJP among the Tamil speaking populations in the different States and hence they were all gearing up to take up those assignments for the party. Since most of the key political leaders in the State feel that they might have key roles to play once the results are out by June 4 and the new government is formed in Delhi, they want to be back in their turf to meet the demands of the situation before June but fully recharged by the holiday break.

Drones banned within two-km radius of Madurai Medical College

Centre to deploy CISF cover at ED offices amid growing security concerns

NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the recent attacks on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and also based on a recent threat assessment report issued by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to permanently deploy personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the ED's offices across the country to provide security cover, officials said on Monday. The officials said that initial deployment of personnel of the paramilitary force would focus on select cities, including Mumbai, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ranchi, Raipur and Kochi. A senior MHA official said, High-level deliberations are going on in the Ministry to extend the CISF cover to ED offices in other states, reflecting a comprehensive approach to enhance security measures in and around the agencys premises. The agency maintains a robust pan-India presence, operating from 21 zonal and 18 sub-zonal offices spanning 40 cities across five regions - west, east, central, south and north. The headquarters located on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in Delhi already has CISF protection. Officials said the urgency to step up security arrangements at ED offices was felt following the incident on January 5 this year when a mob attacked a team of ED officers from the Kolkata unit in West Bengals Sandeshkhali. Three officers were injured in the attack. This incident served as a stark reminder of the risks faced by officials of the enforcement agency in carrying out their duties. Earlier, on December 1 and 2 last year, Tamil Nadus Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) arrested an ED officer Ankit Tiwari for extortion and then raided the agencys sub-zonal office in Madurai. The agency filed a complaint with the state police chief alleging that sensitive documents from its office were stolen. Later, the Intelligence Bureau submitted a threat assessment report to the MHA about the security needs for the agencys personnel and its establishments across the country, the officials said, adding that following this the ministry sent a note to the CISF to draw up a plan for regular deployment. The CISF is the only paramilitary force deployed at central government establishments on a cost-reimbursement basis. During the past 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, the ED has registered an average of 500 cases every year under various provisions of the the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The cases involved political personalities and also high net worth private individuals. The ED on its part, however, argues that of the total over 5,100 PMLA cases registered in the last 10 years, only about 2-3% are linked to politicians. The agency has attached properties worth Rs 1.21 lakh crore and arrested 755 people in the last 10 years, compared to Rs 5,086 crore worth attachments and 29 arrests during the 10 years of the UPAs rule.

CM MK Stalin reaches Kodaikanal with family for summer vacation

MADURAI/DINDIGUL: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin along with his family members including his wife reached Kodaikanal for six days summer vacation. CM and his family members landed in Madurai by a special flight from Chennai at 9 am on Monday. As it was his personal visit, visitors and party functionaries were not allowed to meet him. Over 200 police were deployed in Madurai airport in view of the CM's arrival. Stalin along with his family members reached Kodaikanal via Batlagundu road and will be staying in The Tamara Resort in St. Marys Road in Kodaikanal. Around 1500 police have been deployed in order to provide security to him and his family. Flying of drones and balloons have already been prohibited in the district till May 4. The chief minister is expected to stay in Kodaikanal till May 4. While the CM was leaving in front of the Madurai Airport, BJP functionary Shankar Pandian tried to give a petition along with a ganja pack to Stalin. However, police prevented and detained him before he was taken to Avaniyapuram police station for inquiry. In his petition, S Sankar Pandi allegedly said that there is widespread drug usage in the state, all types of drugs which are prohibited by the international level are also available in the state. Due to this, youths including girl students, children, and daily wage labourers are easily addicted. This addiction of drugs indirectly increases the crime against women and children, thereby increasing social crimes. He urged Chief Minister Stalin to make efforts to prevent the drug usage and supply in Tamil Nadu.

Former Tamil Nadu Asst Prof Nirmala Devi convicted in luring students for sexual favours case

VIRUDHUNAGAR: A private college's former Assistant Professor Nirmala Devi, the primary accused involved in luring students into giving sexual favours for higher officials at the Madurai Kamaraj University in 2018, was convicted by the Fast Track Mahila court in Srivilliputhur on Monday. The other two accused involved in the case including MKU Assistant professor Murugan and research student Karupasamy were acquitted of their charges for lack of evidence. According to the sources, Nirmala was convicted under five sections including the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Following the request made by her counsel to make arguments regarding the conviction, Judge T Bagavathi Ammal said that the conviction details including years of imprisonment will be pronounced on Tuesday noon. In 2018, the suspended Assistant Professor Nirmala Devi from Devanga Arts college in Aruppukottai was arrested by the Aruppukottai Town police in April following a complaint by the college's secretary Ramasamy, who alleged that some girls from the institute was lured by Nirmala into offering sex for gain. Four girls, pursuing their third year in Mathematics at the college gave me a petition stating that Nirmala has been luring them for sexual favours to the MKU officials in return of benefiting students with marks and supporting them financially. Following the inquiry, Nirmala was suspended from the college in March, he said in the complaint further seeking necessary action by the police. Meanwhile, the issue gained wider attention after the audio of Nirmala luring girls went online. Later, the case was transferred to CB-CID and during the investigation, two more persons, MKU Assistant professor Murugan and research student Karupasamy were found to be involved in the crime. Following the arrest, the trio were eventually lodged in the prison and were granted bail later. Following the series of hearings over the years, the Fast Track Mahila court Judge Bagavathi Ammal convicted Nirmala on Monday. Meanwhile, addressing the media persons, special public prosecutor M Chandrasekaran said that they will be appealing against the acquittal of Murugan and Karupasamy. We consider that there are enough evidences for the conviction of the duo, he said. He further added that bystanders from the MKU have turned into hostile witnesses. Order on bail pleas of tainted assistant professor Nirmala Devi, aide reserved

GRT Hotels introduces Grand Madurai, as a part of expansion plan

Chennai, Hospitality provider GRT Hotels & Resorts Group has inaugurated Grand Madurai, its latest property in Tamil Nadu as part of its vision to manage 2 properties by 2025. Equipped with a host of amenities including 120 rooms, Gran Madurai by GRT Hotels is located close to the famous Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, St. Marys... The post GRT Hotels introduces Grand Madurai, as a part of expansion plan first appeared on Hospitality Biz India: Latest News & Analysis . The post GRT Hotels introduces Grand Madurai, as a part of expansion plan appeared first on Hospitality Biz India: Latest News & Analysis .

Retrospective re-fixing of pay, pension post retirement against law: Madras HC

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently quashed an order passed by the Registrar of the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) re-fixing the pension amount of a superannuated non-teaching staff. Justice RN Manjula, while quashing the order based on a petition filed by former non-teaching staff R Rajamani, said that he had retired from the MKU in November 1988, but the registrar of the university in March 2024 had reduced the petitioner's pension on the grounds that the scale of pay was wrongly fixed. The local fund audit department raised an objection to the pension amount and said that the pay was on a higher scale. So, the registrar reduced the pension amount, starting from December 2023, and passed an order related to it in March 2024. Moreover, Rajamani was not issued any prior notice about the order. Observing that the petitioner had retired from service by superannuation, the court noted that the relationship between him and the university had concluded. Hence, the university has no authority to re-fix his salary and the consequential benefits of the petitioner, added the court. Highlighting its previous judgement, Justice Manjula said that only the MKU's syndicate has the power to appoint the university's staff and fix their emoluments. The re-fixation of salary and consequential pensionary benefits post retirement, retrospectively, is not in accordance with law, the court noted, and directed MKU to reimburse the due amount to the petitioner, with interest, within 12 weeks.

Corporation begins installing water meters in Madurai, 15k put up so far

MADURAI: The Madurai city corporation has finally kickstarted the process of installing water meters across the city, and has already put up 15,000 meters. The plan of action is to install a total of 2.5 lakh water meters in two phases. About 15,000 water meters have been installed so far in the city, including the majority of areas in zone one. Works are now on in other areas, including Avaniyapuram. The revised charges for the new meters will be fixed by the council in the coming weeks, said an official. The long-pending water meter project will enable the city corporation to monitor water usage, and aid residents in paying for what they consume as against the existing norm of fixed water charges. Several residents have expressed reservations over the possibility of higher tariff based on the consumption of water. Water meters are finally being installed in Madurai after several failed attempts. But, instead of conventional meters, the corporation could have installed modern digital meters, which would directly relay the reading to the control centre. With the conventional meters, people will have to wait for the official concerned to visit and calculate the readings, said Murugesan, a resident from Madurai. A senior corporation official from Madurai stated that there are nearly 2.5 lakh water connections across 100 wards in the city. The city corporation plans on installing water meters in two phases, with about 90,000 meters to be erected in the first phase within July, while the remaining 1.6 lakh meters are expected to be installed in the second phase, by February or March 2025. The installation process is being executed in three stages. Firstly, the primary line (outside property) is laid, from where the individual connections branch out. The second stage comprises the flushing process, which is carried out to check for any leaks, while the last stage sees the installation of water meters inside property-bound lines. Installation of meters in the earlier stages could lead to issues of damaged or missing meters, because of which meters are installed at the end, said an official. Meanwhile, Murugesan added, Water should be provided daily before such meters are installed. Currently, we get water only once in four days. There are 100 wards under the city corporation, with a total population of 20.4 lakh. The corporation provides 74 litres of drinking water per person per day (LPCD). Thus, an average of 150 MLD of water is provided to these wards daily, through various sources, including the Periyar drinking water scheme.

Kerala: NHAI sitting on police proposal for a signal system at Pettah Junction

KOCHI: When the narrow, congested roads at Pettah Junction gave way to wide, resurfaced stretches, thanks to preparatory work for metro rail, it came as a relief to motorists and pedestrians alike. The intersection, however, has failed to cope with increased peak-hour traffic. The situation has been further exacerbated by the fact that National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been sitting on a proposal submitted repeatedly by Kochi traffic police for a signal system at the crossroads. We initially submitted the proposal in 2021 following the widening of the stretch. The plan was resubmitted last year before the tarring of Kundanoor-Madurai NH 85 was initiated. Now that relaying has been completed, there is still no provision made for a traffic signal, said a senior officer with Kochi traffic police (east) station. The junction, where traffic from Kochi city merges with that coming along NH 85 from the Kundannoor end, play a key role in avoiding gridlock in the citys thoroughfares and the suburbs. I joined last year and am not aware of the proposal submitted earlier. Were ready to give the NOC (no-objection certificate) though our policy is to avoid traffic signals wherever possible. They [state government departments] will have to take up the work, said Pradeep P, project director, NHAI, Kochi. As the various agencies indulge in a blame game, residents associations have come into the picture, demanding urgent measures. There is not even a proper median. Often vehicles make a dash in an attempt to cross and enter or leave Pettah-Gandhi Square road, resulting in mishaps or traffic congestion. A traffic signal here is the need of the hour. It doesnt matter who sets up the facility. Even Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) could carry out the work, says V C Jayendran, convenor of the Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents Associations (TRURA). Residents accuse Kochi Metro of not sticking to its civil work obligations as part of metro work. The detailed project report said that such facilities will be provided half a kilometre from the metro line. But no footpath has been constructed along the Pettah-Gandhi Square road. [Tripunithura] municipality, too, has failed to take up the work though it constructed a sidewalk along the left of the stretch before the pandemic, Jayendran rued. KMRL faces heat Residents accuse Kochi Metro of not sticking to its civil work obligations as part of metro work Promises of providing facilities half a kilometre from the metro line as per the DPR have not been fulfilled, residents say

Madurai ranks high in cases booked under SC/ST Act

23-feet tall Goddess Kali idol coming up in Kerala's Pournamikavu temple

Thiruvananthapuram: A 23-feet tall (including peedam) Goddess Kali idol is all set to be sent to Pournamikavu temple in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Carved by famous sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj, the 18-feet idol of the goddess made from Rajasthan Marbles exquisite single stone piece will be installed along with 12-ft tall idols of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi (Raja Madhanghi Devi) at Pournamikavu temple in Chavadi Nada, Venganur. Accompanied by their respective Vahanas lion, tiger, peacock, swan these majestic idols will embark on a monumental journey from Jaipur to Trivandrum via road trailers, commencing on April 29. The idols will adorn the temple dedicated to Goddess Bala Thripura Sundari Devi, and renowned for housing the world's largest panchmukhi Ganesha idol and 51 Akshara devathas. The Pournamikavu temple stands as the sole pilgrimage in Bharat devoted to goddesses representing alphabets. Each alphabet is associated with its respective goddess, offering devotees the opportunity to seek blessings for educational and career advancement. Recently, a 17-foot Shani idol was installed in the temple another one of its kind in Bharat. The installation ceremony of Goddess Kali idol and that of Goddesses Durga and Lakshmi, will be akin to the Ram temple Pran Prathishtha ceremony, temple chief trustee MS Bhuvanachandran said. Preparations are underway to transport the towering 18.5 -foot single stone Kali idol, crafted from Rajasthan marble by sculptor Mukesh Bhardwaj , he said. Rajasthan marbles has been associated with pilgrimages like Ayodhya, Ujjain, Maheshwar, Dhar, Haridwar, Varanasi among others, said Jagadguru Suryaachaary Krishnadeonand Giri of Maharaj Murali Mandir, Dwarka, Gujarat. He said: The world's tallest Goddess Kali idol is all set to start a journey that will be a testament to devotion and craftsmanship from Jaipur to Trivandrum in Kerala via Chittor, Hyderabad, Hosur, Madurai, Nagerkoil, and that he will travel along.

Four held for man's revenge killing in Tamil Nadu

MADURAI: Four people were arrested on Saturday in connection with a case of retaliatory murder of a 33-year-old man in Madurai. The Madurai city police have identified the deceased person as R Arul Murugan (28) of Kamarajar Salai. Those apprehended include Killi Anandh, Nagarjun, Arunkumar, and an unknown individual. According to the police, the incident happened on Friday when the complainant M Manimaran (33) and Arul Murugan, his cousin, were travelling in separate vehicles. The suspects waylaid Arul and murdered him. This, the police said, was in retaliation to the murder of R Navaneethan of Kalmedu on November 23, 2023. The police said Navaneethan was embroiled in a dispute with one Pandivel, who was supported by Arul, Manimaran, and others. During a quarrel, Arul, Manimaran and others hacked Navaneethan to death and injured N Anand (23) of Pudur. During an investigation, Manimaran revealed that Navaneethan had expressed his wish to marry the former's relative, Swetha. But, Swetha did not reciprocate the same. So, Arul, Manimaran, and others married her off to another man. An irate Navaneethan attempted to murder some people from Arul and Manimaran's gang, but was killed before he could do anything. The Koodal Pudur police, who said that all suspects and victims involved in the cases are labourers engaged in loading and unloading goods from lorries, have registered a case and a probe is under way.

Cop booked under Pocso for sexually assaulting paramour's daughter in Tamil Nadu

MADURAI: A police constable and his live-in partner were booked under the Pocso Act on Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting the latter's 12-year-old daughter in Madurai. The accused has been identified as a constable attached to the Melavalavu police station. According to the police, the accused are yet to be arrested and an investigation is underway. Police said that the girl, who was living with her mother, the constable and his two sons (from previous marriage), was beaten up by the couple, and coerced into doing domestic chores. The incident came to light after the girl informed her family members (maternal), who alerted the police and informed them that the constable had also sexually harassed the girl by inappropriately touching her, police said. During inquiry, the constable's sons did not reveal anything about the sexual assault. The woman is also believed to have supported her partner in hiding the incident, added the police. Meanwhile, the girl has been shifted to the care of her aunt with the help of the child welfare committee. However, the couple admitted to beating up the child during the inquiry, but refuted the sexual assault claim. The victim's mother has been living separately from her husband, said police. Superintendent of Police BK Arvind has directed Melur DSP Preethi to supervise the investigation. A case has been registered by the Melur AWPS police against the suspects under the Pocso Act, JJ Act and 323 IPC section, sources added.

Centre gives TN Rs 276cr flood relief, CM Stalin slams BJP for meagre sum

CHENNAI: After much political wrangling and efforts by Tamil Nadu, including filing of a case before the Supreme Court and multiple meetings with the central authorities, the union government has released Rs 276.10 crore to the state as relief for Cyclone Michaung, which affected the northern districts in December 2023, and for flood damage suffered by the southern districts in January this year. Almost all the non-BJP parties of the state slammed the centre for giving Tamil Nadu such meagre amount. People are watching every move of the BJP government which is betraying Tamil Nadu by providing neither justice nor money, Chief Minister M K Stalin said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The state government had sought Rs 37,907 crore and had already spent Rs 2,477 crore on relief measures during the calamities, the CM pointed out in the post. Commenting on the development, CPMs Madurai Lok Sabha candidate Su Venkatesan said, What BJP has towards Tamil Nadu is not anger. It is hatred, endless hatred. Only Rs 276.10 crore released as TN flood aid against an approved Rs 682.67 crore As per a communication from the Union Ministry of Finance dated April 26, 2024, the funds have been released as per the recommendations of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). According to the official communication, the assistance approved by the MHA was Rs 682.67 crore. The net assistance to be released was, however, calculated as Rs 276.10 crore after deducting Rs 406.57 crore, which the communication said was the 50% (of the balance) available in the State Disaster Relief Fund account for instant calamity (ies) relief as on 1 April 2023. Of the Rs 276.10 crore, Rs 115.49 crore has been allocated for Cyclone Michaung relief while Rs 160.61 crore has been allocated for flood relief in the four southern districts. Other parties, including the AIADMK, too criticised the union government for releasing just Rs 276.10 crore. AIADMKs organising secretary and former minister D Jayakumar said over the past many years, the Tamil Nadu government had requested around Rs 1.50 lakh crore as relief assistance for various natural calamities but the union governments, led by both the Congress and the BJP, have allocated only Rs 7,000 crore. The former minister also said union governments led by national parties are showing partiality in allocating funds to southern states. TNCC president KS Selvaperunthagai accused the union government of showing a step-motherly attitude in allocating disaster relief to TN. He said that despite the state urging the union government to allocate funds from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), the centre seems to have allocated funds to Tamil Nadu only from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). CPM leader Su Venkatesan, in a post on X, drew parallels between the allocation made to Karnataka and TN. He alleged that since the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka did not seem to be favourable to the BJP, the party has announced Rs 3,454 crore as drought relief for the state while allocating just Rs 276 crore to TN where the election is already over.

HC: Consider posting more vets in Madurai - The Times of India

HC: Consider posting more vets in Madurai The Times of India

Two killed in road accidents in Madurai city

14 jails in TN get info kiosks with Tamil option

MADURAI: The states prison department has installed information kiosks in Tamil language across 14 prisons, including eight central prisons, said a status report submitted to the Madurai Bench of the Madurai High Court on Friday. The report came after the Madras High Court in January 2023, directed Tamil Nadu and the prison department to install kiosks across prisons in Tamil language, to enable prisoners to access information related to their incarceration. In January 2023, the court granted compensation to a petitioner, who claimed that his son was kept in illegal detention. The petitioners counsel had submitted that this happened because the petitioners son was not aware of the acquittal order. He made several recommendations so that such incidents do not happen in future. This included installation of kiosks that support local languages. Subsequently, the court directed the prison department to install information kiosks. The report stated that earlier, only one kiosk had been installed at the Puzhal central prison. The National Informatics Center was informed about the issues, the modification has been made, and regional language including Tamil has been added to the kiosk prison e-suite infonet, added the report. The prisons department had sanctioned `1.56 crore for installing kiosks at central prisons. Accordingly, kiosk machines were installed across central prisons, special prison for women, and the prison borstal school & district jail in Pudukkottai. Prisoners can access the kiosks to know about their details such as profile, actual date of release, case details, appeals, wages, remission, account details, details of sentences, escape details, punishment details, visitors details, leave/parol, legal aid.

Tamil Nadu: Aruppukottai sex-for-gain verdict on Monday

VIRUDHUNAGAR: The Srivilliputhur Mahila court on Friday adjourned the judgment in a case, wherein an assistant professor and two others were arrested for allegedly luring female students into giving sexual favours to higher officials of the Madurai Kamaraj University, to Monday. The judgment was postponed as the primary accused, P Nirmala Devi, wasnt present during the hearing, allegedly due to health issues. According to sources, Nirmala Devi was suspended from Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai in April 2018, and arrested following a complaint registered by the college secretary, who alleged that some girls from the institute were lured by Nirmala into offering sex for gains. The issue gained wider attention as the audio clip of the then assistant professor and the students went viral on social media. The case was later transferred to CB-CID. The then TN Governor, Banwarilal Purohit, also ordered constituting a commission under retired IAS officer Santhanam to probe the issue. While allegations were raised against many others in the case, Nirmala Devi, Murugan, an assistant professor at the Madurai Kamaraj University, and research student Karupasamy were found guilty by the CB-CID.

An unknown composers book of songs brings alive Azhagars procession at Madurai

Sengamalavalli describes every little aspect of the 10-day festival when Azhagar travels to and from Madurai.

Tamil Nadu government staff losing money under new tax regime: Forum

MADURAI: The Tamil Nadu Government Employees' Association has urged the state government to resolve issues pertaining to income tax deductions via the Integrated Financial and Human Resource Management System (IFHRMS) a financial management portal. Association State president M Anbarasu and General Secretary A Selvam have submitted a joint petition to Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena regarding the same. In the petition, they said that from 2020, the state government has been disbursing salaries of government employees through the IFHRMS, which came under the human resource department. The platform was revamped and named 'Kalanjiyam'. This portal came under the finance department's commissioner of treasuries. Although the employees had the option to choose between the old and new pension schemes, they were asked to opt for the new regime for income tax deduction, the statement said, and added that employees are facing difficulties under this method. Against their wish, huge amounts of money have been deducted. Many retired employees have also been facing similar problems, the note said. Under the old regime, employees could get exemptions under the heads of individual insurance, postal savings scheme, home loan interest etc., whereas the new regime has no such concessions. Hence, more amount has been deducted. Once the amount is deducted, it is very difficult to recover it from the government, not to mention the challenges faced in running their families due to heavy financial losses, they pointed out, and urged the state government to disburse salaries for the month of April in line with the earlier method.

Tamil Nadu: Complaint against Kovilpatti West Station police inspector for not booking erring SI, constable

THOOTHUKUDI: An advocate has submitted a petition to Kovilpatti Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) Jane Christy on Thursday, seeking action against Kovilpatti West Station inspector for not registering a complaint against a sub inspector and a constable, who had allegedly abused him, despite a court order. According to the petition, advocate Muthusamy had visited the Kovilpatti West police station along with his client Poomiselvan, who was summoned by then Sub-Inspector Arokiya Jency, on December 19. The SI along with her colleague Saranya, a constable, had verbally abused Muthusamy, he alleged. The advocate had lodged a complaint against the two personnel, seeking action under the SC/ST Act, with the inspector, but no action was taken, stated the complaint. Muthusamy then approached the Thoothukudi district court, which ordered the inspector concerned to register a FIR against Jency and Saranya, on January 1, 2024. But Inspector Kingsley Dev Anand kept it in abeyance, giving the two personnel time to move the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to quash the lower court order. While dismissing the quash petition on March 13, the Madurai Bench suggested that the cops to convey their grievance only to the investigation officer. Despite producing the court orders, Inspector Anand failed to register an FIR against the two women, the petition said. The irate advocate, on Thursday, submitted a petition to RDO Jane Christy, seeking action against Inspector Anand. Ponnusamy, another advocate who had accompanied Muthusamy to the RDO, said that it has been over 38 days since the high court has dismissed the quash petition. But, the inspector is hesitant to register an FIR against the SI and constable. At a time when an advocate faces such trouble, how far can the common people go? he said.

Cops rescue abducted infant in Tamil Nadu, two arrested

MADURAI: Two women were arrested on Thursday, just hours after they had allegedly abducted a six-month-old baby girl while she was sleeping with her mother, a destitute, on the roadside on West Masi street. Sundari, of Nanguneri in Tirunelveli, engages in begging on West Masi Street, and has three children, namely, Balamurugan, Dhanalakshmi, and the baby girl Sakthi Priya. On Wednesday night, the mother went to sleep with all three of her kids. When Sundari woke up around 3 am on Thursday, she found that Sakthi Priya was missing and immediately alerted the police. On the direction of Commissioner J Loganathan, two special teams were formed. They combed CCTV footage, which revealed that two women had come on a two-wheeler and abducted the baby. The accused persons were identified as G Senthamarai (42) of Melapangadi and A Maheshwari (30) of Karupatti, both in Madurai district. This was their first attempt at abducting a child. They were planning to sell the baby, but were arrested before that, said a police official. The Thideer Nagar police converted the case from that of a missing child, to kidnapping. It is to be noted that in June 2019, when Sundari was sleeping with her first husband Balamurugan, one V Gopalsamy of Avaniyapuram attempted to misbehave with her. Hearing her screams, Balamurugan woke up and assaulted Gopalsamy with a rod, leading to his death. Balamurugan was remanded, and died in jail. Sundari recently remarried, and had Sakthi Priya. But, the second husband had also passed away a few months ago.

Balaji may influence TN govt in delaying prosecution: ED to Madras HC

CHENNAI: Opposing a petition filed by former minister V Senthil Balaji on Thursday to set aside an order of the Principal Sessions and Special Court for PMLA cases dismissing his plea for deferring the trial in the money-laundering case, the enforcement directorate told the Madras High Court that the former minister may influence the government in delaying the trial in the predicate offence cash for jobs scam. The submission was made on a counter-affidavit filed by deputy director of enforcement directorate, Karthik Dasari, before the division bench of Justice MS Ramesh and Justice Sunder Mohan. As per the amended provision Section 44 of PMLA money laundering is an independent offence which is governed by its provisions and it need not be interfered with the trial in the predicate offence, the agency said. It added the trial in cash-for-jobs scam may get delayed because Balaji can influence the government in prolonging the grant of sanction for prosecution. The ED pointed out though the HC dismissed the ex-ministers bail application, it had directed completion of the trial within three months in the money-laundering case. But Balaji has been filing petitions continuously to delay the proceedings. The bench adjourned the hearing to June 21. Meanwhile, S Alli, the Judge of Principal Sessions and Special Court for PMLA Cases, reserved the orders on the petition filed by Senthil Balaji, which initiated a fresh round of arguments from both sides. The judge extended the former ministers judicial custody till April 30, 2024. Report on buses with closing doors sought Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court recently sought a report from the state government on the number of private and government buses in the state having closing doors as well as those that dont. A Division Bench of Justices R Suresh Kumar and G Arul Murugan while hearing the suo motu case, said that the court wanted to have the details on the number of buses that already have closing door facilities, as well as those that are yet to get one. In view of this, the home secretary has been directed to collect the statistics from the state transport commissioner, for both public and contract carriers. Noting the menace of footboard travel on buses, the bench added, It may be an inevitable act and most of the time it would be a jolly ride by youngsters and students, but a lot of accidents have been reported on a daily basis, where people have even lost their lives. Though several measures have been taken, such violations are reported daily. In order to completely prohibit travel on footboard, some proactive measures can be taken, said the bench, and added, The bus should have a closing door, either on both entry/exit points, or a single point.

Will decide on plaints on bribing of voters in a week: ECI

CHENNAI: A division bench of the Madras High Court consisting of Justices R Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq on Thursday disposed of a petition filed by a BJP leader, seeking disqualification of Virudhunagar Congress candidate Manickam Tagore for allegedly bribing the voters. The petition was filed by R Sasikumar, Madurai West district president of the BJP. He said that FIRs were registered against the Congress candidates four agents NR Kamaraj, G Seeni, Karuppaiah and Pandi by the Virudhunagar West and Austinpatti police stations under Sections 188 and 177 of the IPC for bribing voters. He said the ECI has not taken any action against Manickam Tagore despite sending representations and wanted the court to issue orders to disqualify him. The counsel for the ECI informed the court that the representations were received and the commission would take a decision within a week. Recording the submission, the bench disposed of the petition.

After RK Narayan, now GI-ready Rasipuram Ghee set to treat the senses

Rasipuram, Tamil Nadu, seeks Geographical Indication for unique Rasipuram Ghee. The town is renowned for R K Narayan. P Sanjai Gandhi has obtained 40 tags and filed for Nabard Madurai Agri Business Incubation Forum.

GRT launches Grand Madurai

GRT launches Grand Madurai - The Hindu

GRT launches Grand Madurai The Hindu

Tech companies plug into India's smaller cities for talent

The trend of Indian IT companies relocating to smaller cities is gaining momentum, driven by factors such as cost efficiency, government incentives, and the availability of talent. Workers like B. Ramachandran are choosing to live in places like Madurai over major tech hubs like Bengaluru and Chennai, citing reasons such as familial ties and lower living costs.

Madurai: Devotees Disregarded In The Shadows Of VIPs At Meenakshi Thirukalyanam Festival

The devotees who arrived to witness the divine union of their beloved deities, Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, grew agitated over what seemed like wanton neglect from the HR&CE and the administration The post Madurai: Devotees Disregarded In The Shadows Of VIPs At Meenakshi Thirukalyanam Festival appeared first on The Commune .

Madurai celebrates Chithirai festival with traditional Kallalagar procession amidst rituals

MADURAI: With just days to go before the ongoing Chithirai festival concludes in Madurai on April 28, Lord Kallalagar's procession arrived at the Thenoor mandapam for further rituals on Wednesday. Thousands of people thronged Vandiyur to spectate the ceremony wherein the deity lifts the curse of sage Manduga. The Kallalagar procession is one of the most significant events during the Chithirai festival, when several people throng the Vaigai to partake in the rituals. Apart from the deities entering Vaigai river, the other highlight of the festival is the act at Thenoor Mandabam, where Kallalagar lifts the curse of sage Manduga, in addition to showing all 10 'avatharam' of Lord Vishnu on Manduga's request. Earlier on Wednesday, the procession reached the Vandiyur Veera Ragava Perumal temple after a pooja. Lord Kallalagar mounted his golden sesha vahana and proceeded towards Thenoor Mandabam. Following which lord Kallalagar made it to the Ramarayar Mandabam in Garuda Vahana by night of Wednesday. On Thursday, the deity will be on mohini alangaram, to begin his journey back to the Alagar hills, where he is expected to reach by April 27, while the festival is to conclude the next day. People in large pockets thronged the Thenoor Mandabam and Ramarayar Mandabam for dharshan. The event of Lord Kallalagar showing dasavatharam and lifting the curse takes place once in a year. It is believed that witnessing the event would bring prosperity. So, every year we visit the Ramarayar Mandabam to take part in the event, said Manoj, resident of Vandiyur. 1,200 MT garbage cleaned during Chithirai Over the course of 11 days, starting April 12, the Madurai city corporation has cleaned up about 1,200 MT (metric tonnes) of waste from the event venue. Corporation official sources said that 2,874 sanitation workers had been deployed across three shifts to clean the event venues. The corporation had also issued notice to 203 venues, where annadhanam was conducted. Between April 12 and 23, the corporation cleaned about 1,200 Mt of waste. Officials added that 60 special camps (25 for Meenakshi temple festival and 35 for Kallalagar temple festival) have been held, with 282 workers being deputed to these camps. About 2,800 person got treated at these camps, said the official, and appreciated the workers for their efforts.

'Reply to plea on circular against bullock cart races': Madras HC tells TN government

MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to file a counter affidavit on a petition seeking a stay on the circular issued by the Director General of Police, imposing various conditions to grant permission to conduct bullock cart races. 'Tamil Nadu Param Pariya Veera Vilayattu Mattu Vandi Kaalaigal' State Welfare Association president M Kannan sought an interim stay of the circular as the DGP has no power to issue any conditions. Only the central and state governments are empowered to impose such conditions and frame rules as per sections 37 and 38 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2016, the petitioner stated. Some of the conditions are arbitrary, impracticable and do not abide by the guidelines formulated by the Supreme Court. The petitioner said that the top court did not impose restrictions to conduct the race on highways, but the circular states that the races should be conducted only on village roads or mud tracks laid on empty fields, which is unreasonable and impractical as nearly all roads in all villages have become state highways. The circular also states that organisers have to obtain permission from the district administration and police fifteen days in advance, where the top court prescribed 10 days. Moreover, the conditions in the circular were not mentioned in the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (Conduct of Jallikattu) Rules, 2017. Hence, the regulatory authorities cannot form new rules but only act in furtherance of the existing rules and policies of the government. A division bench of Justices R Suresh Kumar and G Arul Murugan said that while some of the conditions could be accepted, others may not. Instead of staying the circular, the court directed that if any new applications seeking permission to conduct bullock cart, rekla or horse races are sought, the same shall be considered and decided based on the existing rules and conditions. The court adjourned the case to June 18.

PM has no bias, he had only reacted to Congress manifesto, says Tamilisai Soundararajan

COIMBATORE: Former Governor and BJPs South Chennai candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not discriminate against minorities and he had only reacted to the Lok Sabha election manifesto of the Congress party. Interacting with the media at the Coimbatore International Airport, Tamilisai asserted that Modis mantra is development and growth for all and he never differentiated between the minority and majority communities. In a recent election speech the PM warned that the Congress wants to distribute the nations wealth among infiltrators and those who have more children if it comes to power. This is widely deemed to be a reference to the Muslim community. Actually the PM stated that our countrys resources are plundered and our property should not go into the hands of infiltrators as over one crore who intruded into West Bengal were issued ration cards by the state government, Tamilisai clarified. In her defence of the BJP stalwart, Tamilisai also said even Muslims benefited from the central governments popular schemes. Muslims too were among the 10 crore beneficiaries of free LPG connections and the National Health Protection Scheme. However, the opposition parties are creating an impression that only they can protect the minorities. By projecting the BJP and Prime Minister Modi as against them (minorities) they are trying to make it a major issue in the election campaign, she said. Tamilisai also charged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not in the country to speak against it. We dont know where he is now. It is sad the Congress is accusing the PM when the party is having a leader like Rahul Gandhi who is unable to stand with the people during the election, said Tamilisai in an apparent reference to his recent absence from the poll campaign owing to ill-health. While referring to the BJP governments efforts to empower Muslim women, Tamilisai also took potshots at Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Despite CM Stalin speaking about womens rights, he did not take steps to help Muslim women go to the Hajj alone. However, the PM has given visa relaxation and appointed a woman as the V-C of Aligarh Muslim University, she remarked. Tamilisai also raked up her partys claim that the names of several eligible voters in the state were missing from electoral rolls. She urged the Election Commission to reconsider including the voters in the list as lakhs of voters were denied the right to franchise. Its sad that the Election Commission officials are saying that they can rectify the fault in the voters list only in the next election, she said. Tamilisai also questioned why CM Stalin, who is raising his voice even for small issues, remains silent over the alleged deletion of voters from the list. She also visited the temple near Perumanallur at her native place. ECI urged to ban Modis campaigns Madurai: Various human rights organisations like the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and the Peoples Watch, have requested the ECI to impose a ban on PM Narendra Modis election campaigns, after he allegedly violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and used pejorative language against minority communities during a recent canvassing trail. The bodies collectively submitted a petition to Collector-cum-Returning Officer MS Sangeetha, in which they said that PM had made a hate speech in Rajasthans Banswara. Modis speech, the statement added, was aimed at instigating hatred between Hindus and Muslims.

1,200 tonnes of additional garbage cleared after every event during Chithirai festival

Different government departments work in tandem and make strenuous efforts to keep city clean and hygienic despite the sheer size of crowd that descended and littered on Madurai streets during major events of the Chithirai festival

Intersex Activist Gopi Shankar Madurai To Address Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting At Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has extended an invitation to Intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai to participate in the upcoming Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences The post Intersex Activist Gopi Shankar Madurai To Address Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting At Madras High Court appeared first on The Commune .

Three killed as car falls into roadside ditch on Tiruchi - Madurai national highway

'Vararu Vararu Alagar Vararu' chants echo through streets of Madurai

MADURAI: Chants of Vararu Vararu Alagar Vararu and Govinda Govinda echoed through the streets of Madurai as Lord Kallalagar, adorned in traditional green silk attire, was taken on a procession on his vahana, a golden horse, before entering the Vaigai River early on Tuesday. Lord Kallalagars procession from Alagar Hills to Madurai, part of the Chithirai festival celebrations, is the largest festival in Madurai, attracting lakhs of devotees who congregate to witness the procession and the rituals. After visiting hundreds of mandagapadis, with more than 460 mandagapadis located along the procession path, Lord Kallalagar was brought in a golden palanquin to the Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Tallakulam on Monday night. After performing rituals, the deity was adorned in green silk, representing agricultural prosperity, and taken on the golden horse from the temple to the Vaigai River. Earlier, Lord Veera Ragava Perumal, mounted on his vahana, a silver horse, was brought to the northern banks of the Vaigai. Lord Kallalagar was brought to the Vaigai northern banks by 5:45 am. Upon arrival, Lord Veera Ragava Perumal, in a symbolic gesture, received Lord Kallagar on a special platform made for the deity to enter into the river. The procession circled on the platform after entering the Vaigai, allowing lakhs of people to get a darshanam of the deity. Devotees chanted 'Govinda Govinda' and showed deepam to offer their prayers to Lord Kallalagar. After the pooja, the procession proceeded along the Vaigai Bank road to Ramarayar Mandapam for the Theerthavari ritual, during which thousands of devotees sprayed scented water on the procession deity using 'thopparai', customary bags made of goat leather. The procession then proceeded to the Vandiyur Perumal temple. Later in the day, Lord Kallalagar will head to the Thenur Mandabam, to lift the curse of Sage Manduka, and then proceed to the Ramarayar Mandapam during midnight for Dashavatar darshanam. Lakhs of people from various places reached Goripalayam to view Kallalagar entering the Vaigai River. Minor hiccups Owing to the immense crowd, the Vaigai Bank road was fully packed and minor issues were reported, which were addressed by the cops at the venue. The district administration had made arrangements alongside the procession path to allow devotees to witness the event. The city corporation also set up drinking water facilities and toilet facilities in many places. However, owing to the large crowd, some people at Goripalayam faced some issues. Thousands of police personnel from neighbouring districts were also deputed at the event venue to maintain law and order and manage the crowd. In contrast to last year, people were allowed to enter the Vaigai River this year, averting a stampede-like situation that occurred near the Devar statue last year. Considering the water flow in the river, swimmers from police and fire departments were deputed, along with life jackets and life buoys.

Chithirai fest: A night of divinity, celebrations in Madurai - The New Indian Express

Chithirai fest: A night of divinity, celebrations in Madurai The New Indian Express

Thoonga Nagaram steps out to watch Alagar enter Vaigai

MADURAI: Chants of Vararu Vararu Alagar Vararu and Govinda Govinda echoed through the streets of Madurai as Lord Kallalagar, adorned in traditional green silk attire, was taken on a procession on his vahana, a golden horse, before entering the Vaigai River early on Tuesday. Lord Kallalagars procession from Alagar Hills to Madurai, part of the Chithirai festival celebrations, is the largest festival in Madurai, attracting lakhs of devotees who congregate to witness the procession and the rituals. After visiting hundreds of mandagapadis, with more than 460 mandagapadis located along the procession path, Lord Kallalagar was brought in a golden palanquin to the Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatachalapathy Temple in Tallakulam on Monday night. After performing rituals, the deity was adorned in green silk, representing agricultural prosperity, and taken on the golden horse from the temple to the Vaigai River. Earlier, Lord Veera Ragava Perumal, mounted on his vahana, a silver horse, was brought to the northern banks of the Vaigai. Lord Kallalagar was brought to the Vaigai northern banks by 5.45 am. Upon arrival, Lord Veera Ragava Perumal, in a symbolic gesture, received Lord Kallagar on a special platform made for the deity to enter into the river. The procession circled on the platform after entering the Vaigai, allowing lakhs of people to get a darshanam of the deity. Devotees chanted Govinda Govinda and showed deepam to offer their prayers to Lord Kallalagar. After the pooja, the procession proceeded along the Vaigai Bank road to Ramarayar Mandapam for the Theerthavari ritual, during which thousands of devotees sprayed scented water on the procession deity using thopparai, customary bags made of goat leather. The procession then proceeded to the Vandiyur Perumal temple. Later in the day, Lord Kallalagar will head to the Thenur Mandabam, to lift the curse of Sage Manduka, and then proceed to the Ramarayar Mandapam during midnight for Dashavatar darshanam. Lakhs of people from various places reached Goripalayam to view Kallalagar entering the Vaigai River. Owing to the immense crowd, the Vaigai Bank road was fully packed and minor issues were reported, which were addressed by the cops at the venue. In contrast to last year, people were allowed to enter the Vaigai River this year, averting a stampede-like situation that occurred near the Devar statue last year. Considering the water flow in the river, swimmers from police and fire departments were deputed, along with life jackets and life buoys. Man fatally stabbed amid crowd, one held Madurai: The Mathichiyam police arrested a man in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 28-year-old, and injuring his friend in Alwarpuram around 1.30 am on Monday. Police identified the deceased as Sonai (28) of Sivaganga district. Sonai was standing with his friend M Karthick. Karthick was reportedly involved in a dispute with the accused, A Sathishkumar, as his wife and the latter were involved in an extramarital affair. With this as the motive, Sathishkumar stabbed Karthick, amidst the Chithirai festival crowd. When Sonai attempted to stop the attack, he sustained stab injuries. The duo was taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where Sonai succumbed to his injuries. Karthick is undergoing treatment. Meanwhile, the Mathichiyam police arrested Sathishkumar and are investigating. ENS

Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai river as part of Chithirai festival in Madurai

Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai river as part of Chithirai festival in Madurai - The Hindu

Lord Kallazhagar enters Vaigai river as part of Chithirai festival in Madurai The Hindu

Retirement plan ready: Congress' Manickam Tagore takes swipe at PM Modi

Retirement plan ready: Congress' Manickam Tagore takes swipe at PM Modi In a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP at the Centre, Congress leader Manickam Tagore claimed on Tuesday that his party faces a resounding defeat in Rajasthan and elsewhere in North India, also known as the heartland. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the Congress leader, who is seeking a fresh term in the Lok Sabha from Tamil Nadu this year, said, The people of India have made up their minds to oust him and send him on retirement on June 4 (the scheduled counting of votes for the 18th Lok Sabha). His retirement plan is ready. Claiming that the BJP-RSS have always stood 'against reservation', the Congress leader said, We are a party that has always fought for reservation in the country and introduced quotas. We have been implementing reservations in the country for the last 75 years. Tagore, the sitting Congress MP from Virudhunagar constituency in Tamil Nadu, is seeking a fresh term in the Lower House this year. He cast his vote at Thirunagar in Madurai district during polling in the opening phase of the general elections on April 19. However, he is pitted against formidable challengers in the form of actor-turned-politician Raadhika Sarathkumar, who is the BJP's pick for the constituency, and Vijaya Prabhakaran of the DMDK. The constituency happens to be the birthplace of K Kamraj, one of the stalwarts of Dravidian politics. All 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu polled in the first phase, last week. A total of 102 seats across 21 states and UTs voted in Phase 1. The secular alliance led by the ruling DMK scored a near-clean sweep in Tamil Nadu in the 2019 polls, winning 38 of the 39 seats. (ANI)

Lord Kallazhagar descends into river Vaigai as part of Chithirai Brahmotsavam (VIDEO)

Madurai (Tamil Nadu): Lakhs of devotees from various parts of the country thronged the Vaigai River bed in Madurai city on Tuesday morning to witness the spectacular event of Lord Kallazhagars entry into the river. The historical event was held as part of the ongoing 12-day annual Chithirai Brahmotsavam festival of the World-renowned Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple. #ChithiraiThiruvizha in #Madurai Lord #Kallalagar In #Vaigai river with the lot of people #ChithiraiThiruvizha2024 #ChithiraiFestival2024 #LordKallazhagar #Kallazhagar pic.twitter.com/HRd5kfrgtY Cine Flow (@CineFlowTamil) April 23, 2024 The decorated idol of Lord Sundararaja Perumal, adorned in resplendent green silk (a symbol of prosperity and booming agriculture) and mounted on a golden stallion taken in a procession from the temple in the early hours, had entered the River Vaigai in the guise of Lord Kallazhagar, amid the chanting of Govinda, Govinda by the devotees. On the riverbed, the deity was received as per tradition by Lord Veeraraghava Perumal, mounted on a silver stallion. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Thoonga Nagaram (the city that never sleeps), Madurai remained awake through the night to witness Lord Kallazhagar's entry into the into Vaigai river this morning, as a part of Chithirai festival. The Chithirai festival began at Meenakshi Amman Temple on pic.twitter.com/0SqpC6qHiL ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2024 It was estimated that around 10 lakh devotees congregated in Madurai to witness the event. Earlier, a garland of Tulsi, brought from the famous Sri Aandal Temple at Srivilliputhur, was adorned for Lord Kallazhagar a customary practice to express the affection of Goddess Aandal towards the Lord. After the rituals at River Vaigai, the idol of Lord Kallazhagar was taken in a procession to the historic Ramarayar Mandapam in the city, where the devotees sprayed water on the Lord as part of the tradition. The Chithirai Brahmotsavam of Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple is a celebration of unity and amity with a Saivite festival telescoping into a Vaishnative festival. The district administration, in coordination with various government departments, has made elaborate arrangements for the grand event.

Police arrest man for murder in Madurai

Police said the the 34-year-old had been having an affair with the wife of a man; he injured the man and killed the mans friend when they questioned him about the relationship

Roche partners VinCense to monitor non-communicable diseases in Madurai

Roche-VinCense MoU to screen, manage diabetes, diabetes-tuberculosis co-morbidity in one lakh residents of Madurai

Chithirai festival | Sea of devotees gather at Madurais Vaigai river for glimpse of Lord Kallazhagar

Thousands of residents participated in the annual ritual of Lord Kallazhagar entering the Vaigai river

Dharmapuri district records its hottest day in 8 years, dog days to continue across TN

CHENNAI: Heatwave conditions continue to prevail over north interior districts of Tamil Nadu where the mercury went up several degrees above normal on Monday. Dharmapuri recorded its highest temperature in the past eight years on Monday, but Erode topped the chart with a sizzling 43 degree Celsius. The regional meteorological centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued a temperature warning till April 26. Due to high temperatures and humid conditions, hot and uncomfortable weather is likely at isolated pockets over Tamil Nadu during the next five days, said P Senthamarai Kannam from RMC. The all-time record for Dharmapuri was 42.2 degree Celsius recorded on April 25, 2016. The second highest of 41.2 degree Celsius was recorded on Monday. Mercury had breached 40 degrees in 12 districts, including Erode, Dharmapuri, Tirupattur, Tiruchy Tiruthani, Vellore, Karur, Madurai, Namakkal, Salem, and Coimbatore. The met office said maximum temperature is likely to be 2-3 degrees above normal at a few places over interior Tamil Nadu for the next five days. The temperature will be 39-41 degrees over the plains of the north interior districts and 34-38 degrees over rest of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal area. Humidity is likely to be about 30%-50% in the afternoon hours and 40%-75% during the rest of the day over the plains of interior districts; and 50% to 85% over the coastal areas during the next five days. Weather blogger K Srikanth said the hot and humid conditions are likely to prevail for the next two weeks.

Great Spectacle!! The most anticipated event of Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai River in Madurai Today!!,Lord ... - livechennai.com

Great Spectacle!! The most anticipated event of Lord Kallazhagar entering Vaigai River in Madurai Today!!,Lord ... livechennai.com

Appearance of advocate general before courts to be approved by TN chief secy

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has granted powers to the chief secretary to sanction the appearance of the advocate general (AG) or additional advocate generals in the Madras High Court. The power was earlier vested with ministers heading the departments. A Government Order to this effect was passed last month to streamline the process of sanctioning the appearance of the AG or additional advocate generals in order to avoid unnecessary delays caused while obtaining orders in circulation from ministers in each and every case pertaining to the department concerned. It is learnt from sources that immediate decisions are required to either implement the order of the court or to go for an appeal. Such timely decision making might avoid the contempt of court. Meanwhile, the state has also increased the retainer fee and other fees of law officers of the Madras High Court and its bench in Madurai, after the state AG sent in a proposal to the government. A retainer fee is the amount of money paid upfront to secure the services of a lawyer. The fee is paid over and above the amount paid to the lawyers to file and argue individual cases. The retainer fee for the AG has been increased to Rs 2.25 lakh per month while that of the additional advocate generals to Rs 2 lakh per month, according to a Government Order. Similarly, the retainer for the AGs appearance in a case before the Madras High Court and National Green Tribunal has been increased to Rs 45,000 per day while that of cases pertaining to batch petitions to Rs 1.8 lakh per day, the maximum amount. Similarly, the fee for AGs appearance before the Supreme Court per case is Rs 60,000 per day and Rs 2.5 lakh per day for dealing with batch petitions. For additional AGs, the fee for appearance before the Madras High Court has been increased to Rs 30,000 per case per day while for batch cases it is Rs 1.2 lakh per day. For appearance before the SC and NGT in New Delhi, the fee has been increased to Rs 40,000 per case per day and Rs 1.6 lakh per day for batch petitions. The retainer fee for the government pleader of the Madras High Court is Rs 1.8 lakh per month, while that of the Madurai bench is Rs 1.5 lakh per month. Special government pleaders will be paid Rs 90,000 a month while additional government pleaders will get Rs 75,000 a month. Meanwhile, the state is yet to settle bills of the former AG and additional advocate generals that amount to more than `60 lakh.

Meenakshi, Kallalagar descend on Madurai; city revels in divine trance

MADURAI: As the Chithirai festival at the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is set to conclude on Tuesday, the temple car procession that is on its way to the Vaigai witnessed great pomp in Madurai on Monday. Several thousands thronged the Maasi streets on the eleventh day of the ongoing festival, while others gathered on rooftops to catch a glimpse of the divine spectacle. Ever since the festival was kickstarted on April 12, Madurai city has donned the attire and aura of a bride. This metaphor further came alive with the coronation of deity Meenakshi and the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, on April 19 and 21 respectively. With the most anticipated festival set to culminate at the Meenakshi temple with the Thirthavari on April 23, the deities Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, and Piriyavidai, adorned in gems and silk, were brought to the Keela Maasi street along with a procession. Other deities were carried in palanquins. Following a customary pooja at the Karuppasamy temple, the temple car travelled around the four Maasi streets. In view of thousands turning up in the wee hours of Monday, security arrangements were in place. CCTV cameras and watch towers were set up along the procession path. The city corporation has also set up mobile toilets and water tanks along the road to aid the large number of devotees, who arrived to take part in the procession. A birds-eye-view of the procession seemed like the temple car was floating amid a sea of people. Notably, the city corporation also deputed hundreds of sanitation workers, who were instructed to follow the procession and clean the streets as when the temple chariot proceeded. Several organisations and people erected stalls alongside the Maasi streets and offered refreshments and food to devotees. Meanwhile, the Kallalagar procession arrived at the Tallakulam Perumal temple in Madurai on Monday. Rituals will be performed here before the procession enters Vaigai River on Tuesday morning. The procession deity will be carried on a golden horse vahana on its way to the Vaigai, before being proceeded to the Vandiyur Perumal temple. The procession deity visited over 450 mandagapadis along the path.

Most Tiruppur shops remain shut as workers fail to return after voting

TIRUPPUR: At least 40% of the 2,000 shops and commercial establishments in Tiruppur city remained shut after workers who went home to cast their votes are yet to return. Kongu Traders and Shopkeepers Association president K Ramesh told TNIE, Though we were happy to send our workers to their native places to vote, many of them did not return on Saturday. Most of the workers are from Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Pudukkottai, and Pattukottai Sivaganga Tirunelveli. They have extended their leaves. Some of the workers went for voting aong with their family members. Male workers may find it difficult to convince their spouse to return. Anway, business has been dull for the past three days. Vanigar Sangam (Tiruppur) coordinator K Ganeshan said Workers of furniture, provision shops, and bakeries are from southern districts. The shops remained closed since the Tiruppur district administration and the labour department announced leave on Friday for election. We had no option because most of the families were from far places like Thoothukudi, and Tirunelveli. Since most of them moved along with their family members including children they could not return within the same day. This caused the closure of shops in the city. The male workers will be returning on Monday morning. G Raghavan, a trader said, Not just shops even street hawkers and roadside sellers were missing since Friday. Some shops also remained closed for the past three days. Some departmental stores operated with the help of migrant workers. An official from the Tiruppur Administration said, This is an unusual situation as the polling date fell on Friday. Workers extended their leave. Extra buses have been arranged from the southern districts to enable workers to return to Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Erode. Around 90 buses were expectd to return from southern districts to Tiruppurs old bus stand (Central Bus stand), new bus stand and Kovil Vazhi bus stand on Sunday.

Organ harvesting at Tiruchi govt. hospital helps patients in three cities

Patients in Madurai received liver, skin tissue, and a kidney. Hands and another kidney from the patient were given to patients in Chennai while two patients in the Tiruchi hospital received an eye each

Scores witness Meenakshi temple celestial wedding in Madurai

MADURAI: Nearly 10,000 devotees witnessed the highly anticipated celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, as part of the ongoing Chithirai festival, at the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai on Sunday. While those with passes had gathered at the Thirukalyana Mandabam, thousands of others who were around the temple, watched the live telecast of rituals. The Chithirai festival was kickstarted on April 12. In line with the temple tradition, the Thirukalyanam was conducted on a stage set up at the junction of North West Aadi street within the temple premises. The rituals started at 4 am, with the Odhuvamurthigal singing Thirumurai. Procession deities of Lord Pavala Kanivai Perumal and Lord Subramaniya Swamy (lord Murugan) from the Thiruparangundram temple arrived by 6 am. Adorned in traditional attire and embellished in gems, both Goddess Meenakshi and lord Sundareswarar were brought to the Thirukalyana Mandabam along with a procession. The celestial wedding was conducted between 8.35 am and 8.59 am, in the rishabha lagna, with priests reading out hymns from the Vedas. Married women who had gathered in and around the temple, tied the thali around their necks and removed them after the wedding. Apart from 10,000 people who had gathered in the temple premises alone, ministers and other dignitaries from Madurai were present. For those who could not get passes, and had gathered around the temple, the rituals and ceremonies were telecast live. Extensive security arrangements were in place to manage the crowd. The wedding feast was arranged at Sethupathi high school. We had arrived at the venue the previous night to get front-row seats. But, we could not make it to the temple. The temple doors were opened in the morning, which is when we sought dharshan of the newly-wed deities, kept at the Thirukalyana mandabam, said a devotee named A Parvithra, from Madurai. The searing heat gave us a hard time during the day. Thats why, we had sought refuge in the shade. Refreshments and food offered up by philanthropists, who had set up stalls, helped. The entire area had donned a festive mood, said Mahilarasan, another devotee from Madurai.

Devotees treated to a grand feast after celestial wedding in Madurai

Garland, silk vasthram, parrots of Andal taken to Madurai for Lord Kallazhagar

LS polls: Final polling percentage stands at 69.72 per cent in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: The final polling percentage in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections stands at 69.72 per cent, according to an announcement made by Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo, on Sunday. Of the total number of voters - 6,23,33,925 in Tamil Nadu, 4,34,58,875 have polled their votes for the Lok Sabha elections. Women voters have outnumbered the men in the electoral rolls. In exercising their franchise too, they are ahead of men. Of the 3,17,19,665 women voters, 2,21,58,256 have turned up at the polling booths on April 19. Similarly, of the 3,06,05,793 men voters, 2,12,97,903 voters have exercised their franchise. According to the final voting percentages, Dharmapuri constituency polled the highest: 81.20 per cent, while Chennai Central constituenced polled the least: 53.96 per cent. Polling percentages in all 39 constituenies are as follows: Thiruvallur (SC) - 68.59% Chennai North - 60.11% Chennai South - 54.17% Chennai Central - 53.96% Sriperumbudur - 60.25% Kancheepuram (SC) - 71.68% Arakkonam - 74.19% Vellore - 73.53% Krishnagiri - 71.50% Dharmapuri - 81.20% Tiruvannamalai - 74.24% Arani - 75.76% Villpuram (SC) - 76.52% Kallakurichi - 79.21% Salem - 78.16% Namakkal - 78.21% Erode - 70.59% Tirupur - 70.62% The Nilgiris - 70.95% Coimbatore - 64.89% Pollachi - 70.41% Dindigul - 71.14% Karur - 78.70% Trichy -67.51% Perambalur - 77.43% Cuddalore - 72.57% Chidambaram (SC) - 76.37% Mayiladuthurai - 70.09% Nagapattinam (SC) - 71.94% Thanjavur - 68.27% Sivaganga - 64.26% Madurai - 62.04% Theni - 69.84% Virudhunagar - 70.22% Ramanathapuram - 68.19% Thoothukudi - 66.88% Tenkasi (SC) - 67.65% Tirunelveli - 64.10% Kanyakumari - 65.44%

Devotees throng Madurai temple to witness celestial wedding

Madurai celebrates celestial wedding of deities as thousands of devotees throng temple - The New Indian Express

Madurai celebrates celestial wedding of deities as thousands of devotees throng temple The New Indian Express

Three injured in country bomb attack near Melur in Madurai district

The Keezhavalavu police have picked up two suspects for inquiry

Kokalancheri waste treatment plant abiding by norms: TNPCB

MADURAI: In the wake of residents of five villages boycotting polling, demanding the closure of a private waste treatment plant in Kokalancheri, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) on Saturday said that the unit had been functioning in adherence with the norms. In a letter to District Collector MS Sangeetha, AIADMK ex-minister RB Udhayakumar said that the private waste treatment industry was treating medical and poultry waste, due to which people living in the 30 villages in the vicinity were worried about potential environmental and health hazards. Stressing on this issue, the villagers boycotted the elections. The industry could have been shut permanently, he said in the letter. Following the boycott, Sangeetha ordered the TNPCB to inspect the unit and file a report. After the inspection, TNPCB officials said that the unit, which started functioning on September 21, 2023, has a licence that is valid till March 31, 2026. This industry gets poultry waste from municipalities, town panchayats and panchayat unions and stores around 5 tonnes. Later, the waste is boiled for 40 minutes. To control the bad odour, a 30-metre high chimney is in place, and the treatment is done according to the norms to prevent air pollution and emanation of foul odour, a source said. The plant is neither treating any medical waste nor chemical waste. They are abiding by the norms, TNPCB zonal engineer Gunasekaran said.

Apathy, lack of documents, transgenders stay away from getting 'inked' in Tamil Nadu

RAMANATHAPURAM: The indelible ink mark, a symbol of participation in the worlds largest democratic exercise, holds great value for crores of Indians. For transgender persons, however, it is another avenue where their rights are weighed down by various societal factors. The general apathy towards us or our plight has contributed to our lack of interest in voting during the elections, Mumtaj, a transgender activist from Ramanathapuram, told TNIE. Even as the participation of transgender voters has increased over the years, with more eligible transgenders registering with the Election Commission of India to exercise their franchise, the participation of transgenders largely remains below 30%. The situation is no different in Ramanathapuram, which has over 70 registered transgender voters. During the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, 14 transgenders voted, accounting for a mere 17.50% turnout. This further dipped in 2019, when only 8 votes were polled. This year again, just 22 of the 79 transgenders voters cast their votes. In Madurai and Sivaganga, the situation is not better either. While just 10 of 63 transgenders voted in Sivaganga, 54 transgenders, of a total of 198, voted. Despite a series of awareness programmes by the government and other organisations, the participation of transgenders remains bleak in several places. Though there are more than 250 transgenders in the district, the number of transgender voters is just 79 in Ramanathapuram. Despite struggling for nearly two years, many of us are unable to get voter IDs or other documents. Apart from this, many of our issues remain unresolved. Though we are provided pattas, they are allotted for lands that are near graveyards or are in far-off places. While we wish to stand on our legs, the lack of financial assistance only adds to our misery. We are even ill-treated in many places. In such situations, many of us are unbothered about voting, Mumtaj. If our issues are addressed, perhaps there would be an increase in voter participation among the transgender community, Mumtaj added. Safe Transgender Association president Kajol told TNIE, Comparatively, the numbers of registered transgender voters are much lower than the number of transgenders who are registered with the transgender welfare board. Many of the transgenders still use their old identity to cast votes, while others are facing issues making changes to their documents. Special camps must be organized in every district, to facilitate transgender voters to make changes to their documents, Kajol added. Priya Babu, a Madurai-based transgender activist, said, We are a sizeable population now across the nation. Ttransgenders need a reserved constituency so that we can gain representation in the Parliament. Otherwise, transgenders can be provided with a nominated post in the assembly and parliament. Even though we will not get votes in the Parliament, we could at least have representatives there to speak about our issues.

Answer scripts damaged; Madurai Kamaraj univ holds re-exam for 17 - The Times of India

Answer scripts damaged; Madurai Kamaraj univ holds re-exam for 17 The Times of India

Preparations underway for grand feast for celestial wedding in Madurai

EVMs used in Madurai Lok Sabha Constituency shifted to strong rooms

Issues unresolved, villagers threaten poll boycott in Tamil Nadu

MADURAI/SIVAGANGA/VIRUDHUNAGAR/DINDIGUL/RAMANATHAPURAM : Even as the polling process took place smoothly across the districts, villagers who were irked by officials' apathy, lack of facilities and other issues decided to boycott the polls. In Manamadurai assembly constituency Seethurani village, residents boycotted the election, seeking proper roads and drainage facilities. Manamadurai MLA Tamilarsai attempts to convince the villagers went in vain. However, the district administration convinced the voters and assured them to look into the issues, after which they casted votes. Plea to shut fertilizer firm In Virudhunagar constituency, over 2,000 voters from Chennampatti and Peikulam villages of Tirumangalam assembly segment boycotted the elections and staged a protest on Friday, demanding the permanent closure of a private fertilizer company which treats chicken waste and manufactures fertilizer, in their region. Stating that the wastewater discharged after treatment has been affecting waterbodies and groundwater in the surrounding villages, including K Chennampatti, Avalsoorampatti, Kurayoor, Melapatti, Peikulam, and Odaipatti, and the stench emananting from the unit, the villagers said they had flagged the issue with the officials a few days ago and even staged a protest. While the officials held peace talks and promised action, no measures have been taken so far, the villagers said, adding that they would not cast their vote unless the company is sealed. Later, officials again held talks with the residents and temporarily shut the company, assuring the villagers that a peace committee meeting would be held in a few days. The villagers refused and demanded a permanent closure of the company as they did not trust the officials. As the polling drew to an end, some residents from four villages voted. No facilities, no votes Over 300 villagers staged a protest in Seeragampatti village of Ooralipatti panchayat in Natham assembly constituency, stating that the elected representatives did provide them fulfill basic facilities and boycotted the election. The villagers alleged that since 20 years, candidates gave poll promises such as bringing roads, toilets and providing drinking water. After the elections, none of the promises were fulfilled. Angered, the residents hoisted black flags, staged protests and also raised slogans against the government and elected representatives. Upon receiving information, police and administrative officials reached the village and pacified them, after which they cast their votes. Similarly, in the second ward in Aayakudi municipality of Palani also boycotted the polls. After the officials intervention, villagers resumed the polling. Act against persons who assaulted our villager Urging action against persons who assaulted their village, residents of Saveriar Pattinam in Mudukulathur threatened to boycott the poll. A villager from Saveriar Pattinam, on the condition of anonymity, stated that recently a local villager, an ex-army man was brutally assaulted by a local politico from Mudukulathur along with a gang. With serious injuries, the victim was sent to a hospital in Madurai and despite complaining, no action was taken against the accused. Till 11 am, there were no booth agents at a polling center in Saveriar Pattinam. Accordingly, Sub Collector Abhilasha Kour reached the venue and pacified the agitated villagers. After officials provided an assurance, the villagers returned to vote.

Heat wave on polling day; Erode district sizzles at 43C

CHENNAI: Heat wave conditions swept several parts of the state, especially north interior districts, on Friday causing great discomfort to enthusiastic voters who turned out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Erode recorded the hottest day this summer with the mercury clocking 43 degrees Celsius, which is 5.2 degrees above normal. The regional meteorological centre had issued a heat wave warning for north interior districts on polling day and cautioned people to take adequate measures. Districts that recorded temperatures in excess of 410C were Vellore (41.90C), Karur (41.50C), Trichy (41.30C), Tiruthani (41.20C), Salem (41.2), Dharmapuri (410C) and Madurai (410C). In Chennai, the temperature was between 38-39 degrees Celcius, which was 2-2.7 degrees above normal. The Met office said the temperature may fall marginally on Saturday, but no big change is anticipated till April 23. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lighting is likely to occur at one or two places over Western Ghats and adjoining districts of Tamil Nadu. The dry weather is very likely to prevail over the rest of the state, Puducherry and Karaikal. Humidity is likely to be about 30-50% in the afternoon and 40-75% during the rest of the day over the plains of interior districts; and 50-85% in coastal areas for the next five days, the Met office said.

Commuters protest at Kilambakkam terminus in Chennai

CHENNAI: Demanding buses to delta regions and southern districts, hundreds of commuters staged a protest at the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus on Thursday night. Alleging insufficient bus services, a group of commuters attempted to block the GST Road but were stopped by the police. The transport department, however, attributed the overcrowding at the terminus to the high turnout of commuters, and denied shortage of buses. Despite repeated assurances from transport officials and the police that buses were en route to the terminus, commuters alleged that there were insufficient buses to Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Madurai and other places. Most SETC and TNSTC buses returned from other parts of the state after 12.30 am, and they were diverted to the in-demand routes to pacify the commuters and reduce crowding at the terminus. Transport Secretary K Phanindra Reddy, in a statement issued on Friday, said that four lakh commuters travelled by buses on Wednesday and Thursday, 1.18 lakh higher than those who travelled to their hometowns during the 2021 Assembly elections. In addition to daily regular services of 2,092 buses a day, 3,115 special buses were operated from Chennai on Thursday and Friday. Reddy further said that in response to the state governments request, the railways had operated additional special trains and attached extra coaches to several trains on Thursday. Transport department officials worked throughout the day to ensure uninterrupted operation of bus services, he added. He also appreciated the transport officials and employees who stayed at the bus terminus until 5 am on Friday to facilitate the transportation of commuters.

Polling officer with saffron turban replaced in Madurai

MADURAI: A polling officer, who had donned a saffron turban at a booth in Madurai, was replaced after DMKs polling agents expressed an issue with the turbans colour. The incident happened at a booth in Sethupathi Higher Secondary School, where polling officer III Gunabalan was engaged in election duty. He had donned a saffron turban, which indicates a political partys colour. DMK agents Saravanapandi, Mani, and Bala Kamatchi spotted Gunabalan and alerted the polling officials, asking the police to replace him. The DMK cadres said that Gunabalan was indirectly promoting the BJP. Thus, Gunabalan was replaced. Later, voting resumed. The police said that Gunabalans practice of wearing the turban was not based on religious grounds.

Madurai Lok Sabha constituency records 61.95 % voter turnout; polling largely incident-free

Water released from Vaigai dam for Chithirai festival in Madurai

Dull polling in Chennai

eople wait in queues to cast votes for Assembly polls, at a polling station in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI) eople wait in queues to cast votes for Assembly polls, at a polling station in Mumbai on Wednesday. (Photo: PTI) Chennai: A poor turnout of 72.09 per cent voters, with some late comers waiting in the booths after the closing time of 7 pm, marked an otherwise peaceful polling, marred by a series of boycotts of the election and skirmishes over missing names in the electoral lists, in Tamil Nadu, where elections were held for all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies on Friday, along with the by-election for the Vilavancode Assembly constituency. The three constituencies in Chennai were in the bottom five of the list Chennai Central 67.35 %, Chennai South 57.25 % and Chennai North 69.26 % - while Kallakurichi recorded the highest of 75.67 % and Dharmapuri that was on the top since polling started at 7 am closed second highest at 755.44 %. Madurai recorded 68.90. Governor R N Ravi, along with his wife, cast his vote at a booth in Velachery behind the Raj Bhavan premises and Chief Minister M K Stalin and his family members walked from their home in Chittaranjan Road to the booth in SIET College to exercise their franchise, while top political leaders and film actors voted in various booths in Chennai and in other places. Coming out of his polling booth, Stalin told the media that he had exercised his democratic duty and wanted everyone to do so. Asked about the victory prospects, he said the INDIA coalition would romp home in the elections. On the low turnout despite an aggressive campaign carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to achieve 100 per cent voting, Chief Election Commissioner, Satyabrata Sahoo, who spearheaded the campaign in the State, said that the percentage was slightly higher than the previous Lok Saha elections and the extreme heat was one among the reasons for people staying at home. Three voters died, possibly due to the extreme heat, at their booths. In Salems Sentharapatti, 77-year-old Chinnaponnu fainted after reaching her booth and breathed her last, while 70-year-old Palanisami died in Suramangalam in Salem while waiting in the queue to vote and 71-year-old Kanagaraj collapsed at a booth near Tiruttani. Among the incidents that hindered polling for some time were the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) candidate of Central Chennai, Karthikeyan, kicking up a ruckus at a booth near Pallavan Illam complaining of the light in the EVMs panel not glowing. When election officials clarified that all was well with the EVM, he tried to stage a dharna but was evicted from the premises. In Koundampalayam, falling under Coimbatore constituency, a kerfuffle was witnessed at a booth when the names of 830 voters from the Post and Telegraph Colony were missing in the list. The prominent candidate of the constituency, K Annamalai of the BJP, and other BJP leaders like Vanathi Srinivasan rushed to the spot to sort out the matter. At Vinmangalam in Tirupattur, polling was stopped at a booth after the VVPAT equipment conked out and voters raised an objection to it. Authorities worked on the fault and set it right immediately to facilitate the resumption of polling. Among the other booths where such complaints of names missing in voters list were raised were Mylapore Basha Thottam (300 names) and Saidapet V S Mudali Street (500 names). When Sahoo was asked about the complaints of missing names, he said that several opportunities were given to the voters to check if their names were in the list and added that he would inquire into it. Apart from film actors like Ajith, who turned up as the first voter at his booth in Thiruvanmiyur and Vijay casting his vote under the glare of media limelight, the celebrities who voted at various places in Chennai were Rajinikanth at Stella Maris College, Kamal Hassan at Eldams Road and Seeman at Neelangarai. Satyabrata Sahoo voted at a booth in Nerkundram, while DMDK general secretary Premalatha, along with her son Vijay Prabakaran, who is contesting from Virudhunagar constituency, bumped into BJP candidate from South Chennai Tamilisai Soundararajan at a booth in Saligramam. Both of them greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries. Vijay Prabakarans electoral rival Radhika Sarathkumar and her husband Sarathkumar voted at Kottivakkam and the Congress candidate for Virudhunagar, Manickam Tagore, voted in Madurai. AIADMK general secretary Edapaddi K Palaniswami voted at Siluvampalayam in Salem, his bete noire O Panneerselvam at Periyakulam, P Chidambaram at Sivaganga and Annamalai at Uthupatti in Karur. Ousted AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, who voted at SIET College, told the waiting media that the results of the Lok Sabha elections would lead to the those who made mistakes to correct themselves, and her nephew T T V Dinakaran, contesting the polls from Theni, after casting his vote at a booth in Besant Nagar, said that he and his supporters were also followers to J Jayalalithaa.

Chennai Central sees decline in voter participation

Chennai Central sees decline in voter participation Polling in Chennai Central, one of the three Lok Sabha constituencies in the city, has been the lowest in Tamil Nadu, which went to polls on Friday, till 3 pm. Voter turnout in this constituency was 24.09 percent at 11 am, 32.31 percent at 1 pm and 41.47 percent at 3 pm, Chief Electoral Satyabrata Sahoo said. As per the status at 3 pm, the state had polled 51.41 percent, he told reporters here. Dharmapuri with 57.86 percent saw the highest turnout in the state at 3 pm followed by Namakkal at 57.67 and Kallakurichi at 57.34 percent. Eight constituencies (out of 39 in the state) polled below 50 percent at 3 pm. These included the three constituencies in the city - Chennai North, Chennai South and Chennai Central- which polled 44.84, 42.10 and 41.47 percent, respectively. The others are Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Sriperumbudur.

Lok Sabha polls | Senior citizen from Madurai whose name was missing on voter list writes to CEC, gets prompt response, casts vote

The 72-year-old said his name was missing on the list released on April 5 despite being there in the draft rolls; he said officials in Madurai had not helped when he had approached them, leading him to write to the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi

Lok Sabha elections: Tamil Nadu records 39.51 pc voter turnout by 1 pm

Lok Sabha elections: Tamil Nadu records 39.51 pc voter turnout by 1 pm The average voter turnout in 39 constituencies of Tamil Nadu where Lok Sabha elections are underway stood at 39.51 per cent till 1 pm as per the data released by the Election Commission of India. The south Parliament constituency of Chennai recorded a voter turnout of 28.92 per cent till 1 pm whereas the Chennai north constituency witnessed 29.05 and the voter turnout in central Parliament constituency was recorded 28.08 per cent. Voting percentages for the other constituencies participating in phase 1 elections are Arakkonam- 40.30 per cent, Arani- 44.16, Chidambaram-37.76 per cent, Coimbatore-35.89 per cent, Cuddalore-37.84 per cent, Dharmapuri-40.70 per cent, Dindigul-42.12 per cent, Eorde- 43.54 per cent, Kallakurichi-46.06 per cent, Kacheepuram-39.92 per cent, Kanniyakumari-37.86 per cent, Karur- 46.23 per cent, Krishnagiri-39.78 per cent, Madurai-35.79 per cent, Mayiladuthurai-40.50 per cent. Nagapattinam-42.05 per cent, Namakkal-46.31 per cent, Nilgris-40.88 per cent, Perambalur-45.86 per cent, Pollachi-40.08 per cent, Ramanathapuram-40.90 per cent, Salem-46.89 per cent, Sivganga-34.10 per cent, Sriperumbudur-30.65 per cent, Tenkasi-39.91 per cent, Thanjavur-41.14 per cent, Theni-41.28 per cent, Thoothukkudi-39.11 per cent, Tiruchirappalli-38.13 per cent, Tirunelveli-38.24 per cent, Tiruppur-44.08 per cent, Tiruvallur-38.55 per cent, Tiruvannamalai- 41.74 per cent, Vallore-39.5 per cent, Viluppuram-43.84 per cent and Virudhunagar-42.19 per cent. Meanwhile, there was a substantial increase in the voter turnout charts across the states in the country, with North-Eastern state of Tripura still leading at 53.04 per cent till 1 pm as per the data released by the ECI. Other Northeast states like Meghalaya (48.91) and Manipur (46.92) are also witnessing high voter turnout percentages. After Tripura, West Bengal is experiencing high voter turnout at 50.96 per cent. Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am. Voters will exercise the franchise until 6:00 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc-INDIA- a coalition of opposing parties formed to take on the BJP in the general elections, is eyeing ousting him from power. In Tamil Nadu in the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, comprising the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI(M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, registered a landslide victory, winning 38 of the 39 seats in the state. Those voting in the first phase include seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. An estimated 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors are eligible to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, according to the ECI data. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

Tamil Nadu CM, governor and other leaders cast their vote across TN for LS polls

CHENNAI: A slew of political leaders and celebrities exercised their franchise in their respective polling stations across Tamil Nadu on Friday for the Lok Sabha polls. Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi cast his vote at a polling booth here while Chief Minister M K Stalin, former Chief Ministers, O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami and leaders of political parties exercised their franchise. Ravi and Stalin urged people to turn up enthusiastically and do their democratic duty. Stalin, his wife Durga Stalin, DMK leader Kanimozhi (contesting from Thoothukudi) and BJP leaders L Murugan (Nilgiris candidate) and Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai) voted here. Former CMs, Palaniswami and Panneerselvam cast their vote in their home districts of Salem and Theni respectively. Information Technology Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan voted at Madurai. In Chennai, veteran Communist leader R Nallakannu, and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin cast their votes. Will quit politics if cash for votes accusations are proven: Coimbatore BJP LS candidate Annamalai Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai voted at his native village in Karur district and Naam Tamilar Katchi top leader Seeman at Neelankarai in Chennai. PMK's Dharmapuri candidate Sowmiya Anbumani voted at Tindivanam. Veteran actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan, who campaigned for the DMK-Congress alliance in the LS polls voted at Teynampet in Chennai. Celebrities including Rajinikanth, Ilaiyaraaja and Ajith Kumar were among the among the early voters. Actors Trisha, Dhanush, noted villain Mansoor Ali Khan who is contesting as an independent in Vellore, lyricist Vairamuthu and many tinsel town celebrities also cast their votes in their respective polling stations. Single phase polling was underway from 7 AM in all the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu. In neighbouring Puducherry, AINRC founder and Chief Minister N Rangasamy arrived at a polling booth on a two-wheeler and cast his vote. Meanwhile, two elderly voters in Salem died after arriving at the polling booth to cast their votes and a report has been sought on the matter, state Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said.

Tamil Nadu: Six years on, college yet to send complaints of sexual harassment to ICC

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday questioned the Devanga Arts College, Aruppukottai in Virudhnagar, for its failure to forward complaints of sexual harassment raised by girls to the Vishaka Committee of the Madurai Kamaraj University even after six years. The first bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad raised the question when a public interest litigation petition filed by Ganesan of Revolutionary Students and Youth Federation came up for hearing. The bench directed the counsel for the college to file a reply explaining the failure to forward the complaints of the victims to the Vishaka Committee by July 7. The issue came to the fore in 2018 when the affected students accused P Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor, of compelling them into illicit sexual activity. The CB-CID registered a case and arrested her. Ganesan had filed the petition seeking setting up of a special investigation team headed by a woman DIG to probe the matter.

From Madurai to capital: Woman on Bullet covers 21,000km to drum up support for PM

Collector Should Not Intervene In Temple Traditions: Madurai Bench Of Madras HC Stays Order Regarding Spraying Water On Lord Kallazhagar

Election materials sent to polling stations in Madurai Lok Sabha constituency

Elections 2024: BJP, Dravidian giants pull out all stops as battleground Tamil Nadu braces to vote

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu was marked by fierce campaigns and acrimonious debates, and a never-before-seen kind of spirited fight put up by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to gain a foothold in the Dravidian land in 2024 was a striking feature. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on Friday and the fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations. The election mood set in pretty early in the state, in January, with the commencement of repeated visits by Modi, who combined development and honour for Tamil language and culture as his main election plank, which also had the key element of denouncing DMK-Congress over alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics. The state witnessed intense campaigning for nearly a month, starting in March. Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu, is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and the BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious, battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. He also faces a challenge from the Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi in the four-way contest with anti-DMK-Congress votes split into three. The lone joint rally of Congress' Rahul Gandhi and DMK President MK Stalin in Coimbatore is a pointer to the focus on the constituency . Arguably, the 2024 LS polls is the only one in recent history in which the BJP set the tone for campaign discourse by mounting attacks rather than being in defence by coming up with disclosures on the Katchatheevu issue , besides vehemently taking up other matters. The Katchatheevu issue led to a slanging match between the Saffron party, led by a fierce Annamalai and the DMK-Congress combine. While the BJP alleged betrayal by the DMK-Congress, the Dravidian and grand old party posed questions on Chinese incursions. Modi's campaign also saw the Katchatheevu issue gain prominence to a great degree and he sought to pin down the DMK-Congress, saying fishermen now pay the price for their betrayal. The PM also dwelt on the drug menace, following the arrest of expelled DMK office-bearer Jaffer Sadiq by the NCB and the threat to eradicate Sanatana Dharma. In effect, Modi's campaign was exhaustive in Tamil Nadu and he has addressed rallies in constituencies including Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Tirunelveli. A PM visiting Tamil Nadu nine times before a LS election is undoubtedly a first in the state's history. It demonstrated the BJP's resolve to break the electoral jinx it faces in the Dravidian land, almost on its own, with the support of only a few allies, whose influence is confined to select regions. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, the BJP's key ally, has focused its energies in Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray. DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress Party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga), AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the prominent candidates. Barring the 2014 victory of Pon Radhakrishnan from the Kanyakumari segment, the Saffron party, since 1998, has won in Tamil Nadu only when it aligned with either the AIADMK or DMK, the Dravidian twins. South Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Vellore are the seats where the BJP nominees have gone the extra mile to convince voters. DMK president and Chief Minister Stalin, the star campaigner of his party, led the campaign on the themes of social justice , his regime's welfare measures and the dangers the nation faced due to the BJP, which have wrecked fiscal federalism. He often described the polls as the second independence movement to free the nation from the BJP's divisive politics and repeated the electoral bond scam to claim that it has unmasked the corrupt face of the BJP. The Saffron party will do away with reservation and change the Constitution and that it is allergic to social justice were among the allegations he made in his campaigns. EXCLUSIVE | BJP still not able to understand the political climate of Tamil Nadu: MK Stalin On expected lines, DMK vows to act against NEET, CAA, UCC in its manifesto A key focus of the DMK's campaign was its attle to get funds from the Centre, including for flood relief . Stalin and his party leaders said not a rupee was given by the Centre and Nirmala Sitharaman's claim of Rs 5,000 crore in central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of floods was actually the state's own borrowing from banks merely channelled through the Union government. Stalin, throughout his campaign, did not spare the main opposition, the AIADMK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM Stalin and a minister, crisscrossed the state, held roadshows and targeted the BJP on a slew of issues, including the Madurai AIIMS being a non-starter. When Udhayanidhi repeatedly attacked PM as 29 paisa Modi as the Centre returned only 29 paisa out of every one rupee paid as tax to the Union government by the state, Annamalai countered, saying no other state received as much funds as Tamil Nadu from the Centre and if he did not stop the 29 paisa jibe, his party will refer to him as Ganja Udhayanidhi as the contraband is available widely in the state. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was among the early birds on the poll landscape and he addressed a rally of ally SDPI in January and said there is no need to project a 'PM face' to seek votes. The main opposition party's campaign was steered by Palaniswami, the former CM and leader of the opposition, who took on the ruling DMK over every single issue that mattered, including the alleged collapse of law and order and the drug menace. Towards the end of the campaign, he fiercely attacked the BJP for being discriminatory on the basis of caste and religion. When Annamalai claimed AIADMK would disappear following polls, without losing cool, Palaniswami, in a repartee, said voters will teach them a lesson and no force could touch the party that has stormed several struggles. Identical manifestos: Rivals DMK & AIADMK on same page Battle between ideas of Periyar, social justice and that of RSS, PM Modi: Rahul in TN poll rally AIADMK not worried about opinion poll predictions: EPS

For Chithirai, special cultural performances to be held at Thirumalai Nayak palace in Madurai, with free entry

The T.N. Tourism Department is organising the cultural performances, which will be held from April 21 to 25

Tamil Nadu gears up for LS polls as BJP campaigns intensify

Tamil Nadu gears up for LS polls as BJP campaigns intensify Tamil Nadu is all set to vote on April 19 for the Lok Sabha polls, that was marked by fierce campaigns and acrimonious debates, and a never seen before kind of spirited fight put up by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain a foothold in the Dravidian land in 2024 was a striking feature. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on Friday and the fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations. The election mood set in pretty early in the state, in January, with the commencement of repeated visits by Modi who combined development and honour for Tamil language and culture as his main election plank that also had the key element of denouncing DMK-Congress over alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics. The state witnessed intense campaigning for nearly a month starting from March. Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. He also faces challenge from the Tamil nationalist, Naam Tamilar Katchi in the four-way contest with anti-DMK-Congress votes split into three. In his electoral parting shot Annamalai asserted ''Dravidian politics'' is not needed anymore in Tamil Nadu and described himself as a son and younger brother of people. The lone joint rally of Congress' Rahul Gandhi and DMK President M K Stalin in Coimbatore is a pointer to the focus on the constituency. Arguably, the 2024 LS polls is the only one in recent history in which the BJP set the tone for campaign discourse by mounting attacks rather than being in defence by coming up with disclosures on Katchatheevu issue besides vehemently taking up other matters. Katchatheevu issue led to a slanging match between the Saffron party, led by a fierce Annamalai and the DMK-Congress combine. While the BJP alleged betrayal by the DMK-Congress, the Dravidian and grand old party posed questions on ''Chinese incursions.'' Modi's campaign also saw Katchatheevu issue getting prominence to a great degree and he sought to pin down the DMK-Congress saying fishermen now pay the price for their betrayal. The PM also dwelt on the drug menace, following the arrest of expelled office-bearer of the DMK, Jaffer Sadiq by the NCB and the threat to ''eradicate Sanatana Dharma.'' In effect, Modi's campaign was exhaustive in Tamil Nadu and he has addressed rallies in constituencies including Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Tirunelveli. A PM visiting TN nine times before a LS election is undoubtedly a first in the state's history. It demonstrated the BJP's resolve to break the electoral jinx it faces in the Dravidian land, almost on its own, with the support of only fewer allies, whose influence is confined to select regions. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, the BJP's key ally has focused its energies in Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray. DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the prominent candidates. Barring the 2014 victory of BJP veteran Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanyakumari segment, the Saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, since 1998, only when it aligned with either the AIADMK or DMK, the Dravidian twins. South Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Vellore are the seats where the BJP nominees have gone the extra mile to convince voters. DMK president and Chief Minister Stalin, the star campaigner of his party, led the campaign on the themes of social justice, his regime's welfare measures and ''dangers'' the nation faced due to the BJP, which has wrecked fiscal federalism. He often described the polls as the second independence movement to free the nation from the BJP's ''divisive politics'' and repeated the ''electoral bond scam'' to claim that it has unmasked the corrupt face of the BJP. The Saffron party will do away with reservation and change the Constitution and it is allergic to social justice were among the allegations he made in his campaigns. A key focus of the DMK's campaign was on its ''battle'' to get funds from Centre including for flood relief. Stalin and his party leaders said not a rupee was given by the Centre and Nirmala Sitharaman's claim of Rs 5,000 crore central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of floods was actually the state's own borrowing from banks merely channelled through the Union government. Stalin throughout his campaign did not spare the main opposition AIADMK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM Stalin and a Minister crisscrossed the state, held roadshows and targeted the BJP on a slew of issues including the ''Madurai AIIMS being a non-starter.'' When Udhayanidhi repeatedly attacked PM as ''29 paisa Modi'' as the Centre returned only ''29 paisa out of every one rupee paid as tax'' to the Union government by the state, Annamalai countered saying no other state received as much funds as Tamil Nadu from the Centre and if he did not stop the 29 paisa jibe, his party will refer to him as 'Ganja Udhayanidhi'' as the contraband is ''available widely'' in the state. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was among the early birds on poll landscape and he addressed a rally of ally SDPI in January and said there is no need to project a 'PM face' to seek votes. The main opposition party's campaign was steered by Palaniswami, former CM and leader of opposition who took on the ruling DMK over every single issue that mattered, including alleged collapse of law and order and drug menace. Towards the end of the campaign, he fiercely attacked the BJP for being discriminatory on the basis of ''caste and religion.'' When Annamalai claimed AIADMK would disappear following polls, without losing cool, Palaniswami in a repartee said voters will teach them a lesson and no force could touch the party that has stormed several struggles.

Tamil Nadu gearing up for LS polls, with BJP working hard to secure victory

Tamil Nadu gearing up for LS polls, with BJP working hard to secure victory Tamil Nadu is all set to vote on April 19 for the Lok Sabha polls, that was marked by fierce campaigns and acrimonious debates, and a never seen before kind of spirited fight put up by the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gain a foothold in the Dravidian land in 2024 was a striking feature. Elections to 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state will be held on Friday and the fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations. The election mood set in pretty early in the state, in January, with the commencement of repeated visits by Modi who combined development and honour for Tamil language and culture as his main election plank that also had the key element of denouncing DMK-Congress over alleged corruption and 'parivarvad' politics. The state witnessed intense campaigning for nearly a month starting from March. Coimbatore, the hub of western Tamil Nadu is the most keenly watched constituency in the state and BJP's K Annamalai is slogging to emerge victorious battling against Dravidian giants the DMK and AIADMK. He also faces challenge from the Tamil nationalist, Naam Tamilar Katchi in the four-way contest with anti-DMK-Congress votes split into three. In his electoral parting shot Annamalai asserted ''Dravidian politics'' is not needed anymore in Tamil Nadu and described himself as a son and younger brother of people. Arguably, the 2024 LS polls is the only one in recent history in which the BJP set the tone for campaign discourse by mounting attacks rather than being in defence by coming up with disclosures on Katchatheevu issue besides vehemently taking up other matters. Katchatheevu issue led to a slanging match between the Saffron party, led by a fierce Annamalai and the DMK-Congress combine. While the BJP alleged betrayal by the DMK-Congress, the Dravidian and grand old party posed questions on ''Chinese incursions.'' Modi's campaign also saw Katchatheevu issue getting prominence to a great degree and he sought to pin down the DMK-Congress saying fishermen now pay the price for their betrayal. The PM also dwelt on the drug menace, following the arrest of expelled office-bearer of the DMK, Jaffer Sadiq by the NCB and the threat to ''eradicate Sanatana Dharma.'' In effect, Modi's campaign was exhaustive in Tamil Nadu and he has addressed rallies in constituencies including Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore and Tirunelveli. A PM visiting TN nine times before a LS election is undoubtedly a first in the state's history. It demonstrated the BJP's resolve to break the electoral jinx it faces in the Dravidian land, almost on its own, with the support of only fewer allies, whose influence is confined to select regions. The Pattali Makkal Katchi, the BJP's key ally has focused its energies in Dharmapuri, where Sowmiya Anbumani is in the fray. DMK's Dayanidhi Maran (Central Chennai), A Raja (Nilgiris), Kanimozhi (Thoothukudi), BJP's L Murugan (Nilgiris), Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai), former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (Ramanathapuram), Congress party's Karti Chidambaram (Sivaganga) and AIADMK's J Jayavardhan (South Chennai) and AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran are among the prominent candidates. Barring the 2014 victory of BJP veteran Pon Radhakrishnan from Kanyakumari segment, the Saffron party won in Tamil Nadu, since 1998, only when it aligned with either the AIADMK or DMK, the Dravidian twins. South Chennai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Nilgiris and Vellore are the seats where the BJP nominees have gone the extra mile to convince voters. DMK president and Chief Minister M K Stalin, the star campaigner of his party, led the campaign on the themes of social justice, his regime's welfare measures and ''dangers'' the nation faced due to the BJP, which has wrecked fiscal federalism. He often described the polls as the second independence movement to free the nation from the BJP's ''divisive politics'' and repeated the ''electoral bond scam'' to claim that it has unmasked the corrupt face of the BJP. The Saffron party will do away with reservation and change the Constitution and it is allergic to social justice were among the allegations he made in his campaigns. A key focus of the DMK's campaign was on its ''battle'' to get funds from Centre including for flood relief. Stalin and his party leaders said not a rupee was given by the Centre and Nirmala Sitharaman's claim of Rs 5,000 crore central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of floods was actually the state's own borrowing from banks merely channelled through the Union government. Stalin throughout his campaign did not spare the main opposition AIADMK. Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of CM Stalin and a Minister crisscrossed the state, held roadshows and targeted the BJP on a slew of issues including the ''Madurai AIIMS being a non-starter.'' When Udhayanidhi repeatedly attacked PM as ''29 paisa Modi'' as the Centre returned only ''29 paisa out of every one rupee paid as tax'' to the Union government by the state, Annamalai countered saying no other state received as much funds as Tamil Nadu from the Centre and if he did not stop the 29 paisa jibe, his party will refer to him as 'Ganja Udhayanidhi'' as the contraband is ''available widely'' in the state. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami was among the early birds on poll landscape and he addressed a rally of ally SDPI in January and said there is no need to project a 'PM face' to seek votes. The main opposition party's campaign was steered by Palaniswami, former CM and leader of opposition who took on the ruling DMK over every single issue that mattered, including alleged collapse of law and order and drug menace. Towards the end of the campaign, he fiercely attacked the BJP for being discriminatory on the basis of ''caste and religion.'' When Annamalai claimed AIADMK would disappear following polls, without losing cool, Palaniswami in a repartee said voters will teach them a lesson and no force could touch the party that has stormed several struggles.

Political parties give honour killings & caste conflicts the back seat: Activists

THOOTHUKUDI: A day before Tamil Nadu is set to go to polls, human rights activists have decried the back seat that issues like honour killings, custodial torture, kandhuvatti menace, and caste conflicts have taken during political hustings. Speaking to TNIE, People's Water Director Henri Tiphagne and A Kathir, director of Evidence, said that neither the DMK, Congress, VCK, their mother alliance INDIA bloc, nor the BJP, or AIADMK and Puthiya Tamilagam have bothered to address the uptick in violence in the southern districts. According to Evidence, over 28 cases of honour killing occurred in Tamil Nadu between 2022 and 2024. Over 350 people belonging to the scheduled caste (SC) community were murdered during the 2017-22 period. Not only against SCs, honour killing is prevalent within backward communities as well as same castes, said Kathir, and criticised political parties for excluding social issues from the ambit of development and welfare. Amid election campaigns, three custodial deaths were recorded in Madurai, Villupuram, and Chennai prisons, between April 5 and 16, said Tiphagne. Activists led by Kathir, under the banner Dalit Human Rights' Defenders' Network, met as many as 45 MPs to enact a draft bill on 'Freedom of Marriage and Association, and Prohibition of Crimes in the name of Honour, 2022' in the parliament. But, there was no response, he said. A bill seeking strict action against honour killing was discussed in the parliament in 2010, when Veerapa Moily was the law minister, but there has been no progress since, he added. Tiphagne also said that political parties, including the opposition, have failed to seek fastracking of punishment against police officials who gunned down 13 anti-Sterlite protesters. Advocate Ayyalusamy of Kovilpatti said that Kandhuvatti menace has plagued the middle class and downtrodden in Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli. But, he added, the police refuse to register a case against money lenders. The demand seeking amendment to the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act also has not seen much progress, Ayyalyusamy said. The BJP, which is also the opposition in Tamil Nadu, had allied with the Tamilaga Makkal Munnetra Kalagam led by John Pandian and AMMK, which are inclined towards the dominant castes, said a political analyst.

Kallalagar procession: Activist urge corporation to prevent sewage inflow into Vaigai river

MADURAI: With the preparations underway in full spirit and devotees waiting eagerly for the entry of Kallalagar procession into the Vaigai river, activists flagged the discharge of untreated sewage into the waterbody and alleged that it could cause health hazards to the people who will enter into the river during the festival. As nearly five lakh devotees will gather to witness the procession, exposure to the sewage water, which has been released to the river at several points, for a long time could cause health issues, activists said. In spite of submitting several petitions, the sewage discharge (into the river) continues to occur in the city. Apart from other regions, sewage has been directly being released into the waterbody through the Pandalkudi channel and also a pipeline from the general hospital. Hence, immediate action should be taken to prevent the mixing of sewage, said Raja of Vaigai Makkal Iyakkam. When contacted by TNIE, a senior official from the city corporation said that the sewage gets treated at the 2MLD plant near Goripalayam ahead of being released into the river, via the Pandhalkudi channel. Further, on the basis of complaints, the corporation will be placing sand bags in the channel to prevent untreated water from being released into the river, he said, and assured action to prevent sewage discharge into the river. Meanwhile, District Collector MS Sangeetha along with other officials inspected the procession route to the venue where Kallalagar enters into the Vaigai river near the AV bridge, and ensured that all basic amenities including water tanks are in place. The Kallalagar procession is a major event of the Chithirai festival, one of the largest festivals in Madurai. This year, Kallalagar's entry into the Vaigai river is scheduled to be held on April 23.

PC legacy vs new-faces in Tamil Nadu's Sivaganga

SIVAGANGA: Stronghold of Congress, the Sivaganga constituency, formed 57 years ago, has faced 14 parliamentary elections, with the candidates of the grand old party winning eight times. Congress apart, the candidates of DMK, AIADMK, and TMC had made it to the parliament from the constituency twice each. It is none other than former union minister P Chidambaram who made Sivaganga a Congress fortress, as he won from the constituency seven times - 1984, 1989, 1991, 2004 and 2009 on Congress ticket and 1996 and 1998 on TMC ticket. His, son Karti P Chidambaram of Congress is the sitting MP of the constituency. The father-son duo has managed to represent the constituency for almost 30 years. This time around, 52-year-old Karti of Congress-DMK alliance, who secured 52.18% vote in the last election, is pitted against first timers A Xavierdass (49) of AIADMK and BJPs T Dhevanathan Yadav (63), one of the richest candidates, who is also the managing director of a television channel. Kartis candidature despite opposition from inside the pary is testimony to the fact that Chidambaram still wields influence in the party and the region. EM Sudarsana Natchiappan, a former Congress MP, who had opposed giving MP seat to Karti in 2019 again raised the issue unsuccessfully this time as well by joining hands with former Karaikudi Congress MLA KR Ramasamy and other anti-Chidambaram faction in the district. Karti is not staying in the locality. But if he is determined to do something, he has the capacity to get it done, as he brought law college and agriculture college to the district. Though there is slight anti-incumbency against Karti, he has the advantage this time as the opposition has fielded newbies, said a resident K Mayilvaham (40) from Tirupattur taluk. Another resident, Shankara Subramanian from Sivaganga said though Chidambaram Sr held the highest office including home ministry and finance ministry for many years, the constituency did not develop even like that belongs to an ordinary MP. The people expected more from Chidambaram, however he and his son failed to meet their expectations during their tenures. Karti wont even visit the family functions and death ceremonies of his party cadre. Whenever he visit the district, he maintains a distance with the people. However, he has an office in locality through which he tracked all developments, said Shankar. A Congress cadre said Chidambaram Sr has a good relationship with DMK high command since Kalaignars time and it is continuing even in now. Belonging to Chettiar community, one of the communities that has a decent vote bank in the locality, Karti was supported by the DMK district secretary and minister KR Periakaruppan, who belong to Yadavar community. Meanwhile, AIADMKs A Xavierdass, is the partys Kallal union secretary. PR Senthilnathan, who is the district secretary of the party and backed Xavierdass as candidate, had won from the constituency against Karti during the latters maiden election in 2014. However, Senthilnathan was not given an MP seat in 2019 when the party faced the election in alliance with BJP that fielded H Raja. In 2021 Senthil became an MLA by taking over the assembly seat from then minister Baskaran. There was a talk that Baskarans son Karunakaran may be given an MP seat from the constituency. However, A Xavierdass, belonging to the Chirstian community, was chosen by the party high command. The third candidate, T Dhevanathan Yadav, a Chennai native and founder president of Inthiya Makkal Kalvi Munnetra Kazhagam, was given the seat to contest by BJP in Lotus symbol. The earlier BJP candidate H Raja who contested in 2014 and 2019 got 13% and 21% vote respectively. Moreover the AMMK candidate in 2019, Therpogi Pandi got 11.29% which altogether may help him in the locality. NTK candidate V Ezhilarasi, who is native of Thanjavur district is confident of securing more than the previous candidate of the party V Sakthi Priya who had secured 6.66% vote in 2019. Karti has dealt effectively with spot questioning in a tonhur-in-cheek manner. In one such occasion, he even tried to woo the next generation voters, schoolchildren, as he assured them if elected he would stop home work, assignments and exam in the education system. Moreover, the senior Chidambaram actively campaigned for his son by countering the opposition, said Muthumani from Karaikudi. Another resident Sudalai Raja said Dhevanathan in his campaign calls the regime of Chidambaram family as the dark days. He even went a point ahead in the campaign by signing document that if he is elected there will be no need to approach the collector. Xavierdass in a campaign assured he would take steps to implement complete liquor ban not only in Tamil Nadu but also in India. Candidates giving promises for pulling votes went beyond a realistic level, he said. D Daniel, a native said creating employment is an important task for any MP as many people migrate from the district in search of jobs. Except Karaikudi, other assembly segments like Tirupattur, Manamadurai, Sivaganga have not attained growth. The Spices Park was established decades ago but it has not attained growth by attracting entrepreneurs. The local people have been demanding stoppage for more trains in the stations in Karaikudi, Sivaganga but no measure was taken. The Chettinad products are famous abroad and gained attention from the tourists. The district has a lot of old- bungalows which could be used as a tool to promote tourism in the district. And the district has a lot of graphite potential but that was not included in any government plan. There are around 20 candidates in the election fight including Karti, who often solves the Wordle without efforts and shares in his X (formerly twitter) handle. We have to wait and watch whether he will be elected again from the constituency, he added.

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