Tamil orator arrested for ‘provocative’ remarks against Modi, Amit Shah

Kannan made the alleged remarks at an event organised by the Social Democratic Party of India on December 28

A Tamil orator, who allegedly made provocative remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah last week, was taken into custody late Wednesday night, police said. Nellai Kannan was whisked away by a police team in Perambalur district in connection with complaints against him by the BJP and the ruling AIADMK.

The move comes hours after top Tamil Nadu BJP leaders staged a demonstration near Gandhi statue point on the Marina beach front in Chennai, demanding his arrest over the remarks. The BJP had also petitioned Governor Banwarilal Purohit seeking action against Kannan. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K S Alagiri in a statement claimed Kannan has been arrested. Alagiri also condemned the move.

Kannan made the alleged remarks at an event organised by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on December 28. The BJP on Monday lodged a police complaint seeking his arrest and prosecution. “Such remarks are open threat to the lives of the prime minister and the home minister and are an attempt to incite violence, criminal intimidation, and abetment to murder,” State BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi had said.

LS polls: Dhinakaran releases final list of AMMK candidates for Tamil Nadu

The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam is contesting 38 of the 39 seats in the state

Lok Sabha Elections 2019: The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) headed by TTV Dhinakaran Friday announced its second and final list of 14 candidates for the April 18 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu. The list included three disqualified AIADMK MLAs owing allegiance to Dhinakaran, who floated the AMMK after being sidelined in the ruling party.

The AMMK is contesting 38 of the 39 seats in the state and Dhinakaran had earlier announced candidates for 24 seats. It has alloted Chennai Central constituency to its ally Social Democratic Party of India.

On Friday, Dhinakaran released the list of the 14 candidates, including close aide Thanga Tamilselvan who has been fielded in Theni constituency. He will take on AIADMK Coordinator and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam’s son P Ravindranath, who is making his electoral debut.

N G Parthiban and P Palaniappan are the other disqualified MLAs who have been nominated by Dhinakaran. They will contest from Arakkonam and Dharmapuri seats respectively. Eighteen AIADMK MLAs loyal to Dhinakaran were disqualified in 2017 by Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal for revolting against Chief Minister K Palaniswami. Dhinakaran also announced the second list of candidates for the April 18 byelections scheduled for 18 assembly seats in the state, mainly caused by the disqualification of the AIADMK MLAs.

Ready for 2019 polls but won’t contest in Tamil Nadu by-polls: Kamal Haasan

We are getting ready for it (2019 general elections) and it’s true that we are ready already, Haasan said

Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan on Wednesday said that his party is ready for the 2019 general elections, but are not in a mindset to contest the forthcoming bye-election in Tamil Nadu.

“We are getting ready for it (2019 general elections) and it’s true that we are ready already,” Kamal Haasan said at an event here.

However, when asked whether his party will contest in the forthcoming bye-election in the state, Kamal replied, “We will teach a lesson to the government to tell them about their duties, but we are not in the mindset to contest it.”

Two Assembly seats – Thiruvarur and Thiruparankundram constituencies – have fallen vacant after the demise of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader A K Bose.

News Source : BS

Rajinikanth's political entry is as dramatic as his on-screen ones

Can Thalaivar encash his fan base?

 

After decades of speculation, Rajinikanth announced on New Year’s Eve that he was finally going to enter politics. Addressing thousands of fans in Chennai, the superstar — considered a demi-god or superhuman by many of his admirers — declared that he would form a political party and contest the state Assembly elections. About the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he said he would take a call later. Rajini later told journalists: “I, too, want to create a political revolution. If there is a change now, future generations will live better.” Those speculating about whether Rajini’s political foray would be a dud, can take a break for now: A website launched by him on January 1 garnered millions of hits within hours and at least 300,000 registrations.

Also read : Amid Political Hype, Rajinikanth And Kamal Haasan To Share Dais In Malaysia

Rajini, of course, has been an influence to reckon with in Tamil politics since the mid-1990s. In 1996, he extended vocal support to the coalition of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC), helping them — according to some political pundits — win the Assembly elections. Notably, the TMC had used a bicycle as their political symbols and many of their posters had the iconic picture of Rajini on a cycle from his 1992 blockbuster Annamalai. His fans have only been too eager to see him enter the political arena and work his magic; some of them even started a political party in 2006, in a bid him take the plunge. Rajini had then desisted.

Of course, in south India, especially Tamil Nadu, cinema and politics have been twined since Independence. MGR, NTR, Jayalalithaa have all served as chief ministers and played a major part even in national politics. Rajini’s entry follows this tradition, where superstars and political leaders are given a larger-than-life status by their fans and supporters. While informing his fans about his intention to enter politics, Rajini reiterated the rhetoric of cleaning up the political landscape that is more than familiar to all of us now. “There is need for a political change,” he said. “In the name of democracy, political parties… are looting people.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, had promised similar clean-up acts before coming to power.

Read more about : Rajnikanth in politics

LIVE: Sasikala, Ilavarsi sent to jail in disproportionate assets case

She visited Jayalalithaa's memorial before leaving for Bengaluru

Over 500 police officials can be seen a t the Golden Bay resort, wheer the MLAs are staying. The police battalion has reached with Kuvathur village.

Sasikala visits MGR Memorial House before heading to Bengaluru.

AIADMK MLA Saravanan files complaint against Sasikala and Edappadi Palaniswami for allegations including kidnapping, says report

Sasikala and two others have started their journey to Bengaluru to surrender before the court. She will visit Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina Beach before going to Bengaluru.

Sasikala asked for two weeks time to surrender from the Supreme Court, but apex court turns down.

She has now filed a plea before Bengaluru Special Court seeking two weeks time to surrender citing ill health.

Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Thambidurai says soon review petition will be filed against the SC order.

He said, "I am sure Chinna Amma (Sasikala) will come back soon and will rule the State."

He also welcomed the appointment of Dinakaran as Deputy General Secretary of AIADMK.

Sasikala will be driven down to Bangalore to surrender.

Pannnerselvam camp led by Minister Pandiarajan planning to visit the private resort, where Sasikala supporting MLAs are staying, to urge them to rethink decisions taken yesterday and stay united. | Read more

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Jaya, Sasikala had jewellery worth Rs 2.51 crore: Supreme Court

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Sasikala surrenders at Bengaluru court after adverse SC order

Sasikala loyalist vs OPS: Dynasty politics gripped TN in a matter of hours