Latest news with #TamilNaduAssembly
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Going by a Supreme Court ruling, T.N. Speaker can act on petition to disqualify O. Panneerselvam
Speaker M. Appavu can entertain a petition by an elector of Bodinayakkanur against former Chief Minister and MLA of the constituency O. Panneerselvam, if one goes by the Supreme Court's verdict in the Speaker of Orissa Legislative Assembly vs Utkal Keshari Parida, 2013 case. However, this position is not in conformity with the 1986 Rules of the Tamil Nadu Assembly regarding disqualifications, which explicitly state that only an MLA can submit any such petition. Even in the Odisha case, the locus standi of a non-member of the House in submitting a petition for disqualification of four legislators was raised, but the Supreme Court held that 'not only a Member of the House, but any person interested would also be entitled to bring to the notice of the Speaker the fact that a Member of the House had incurred disqualification under the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India.' In the eastern State, the four MLAs, belonging to the National Congress Party (NCP), had joined the then ruling party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), after which the NCP's State unit president had approached the Assembly Speaker. The matter later became a subject matter before the Orissa High Court and, eventually, the Supreme Court. As regards the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Rule 6 — References to be by petitions — deals with the matter of who can give the petition. Sub-rule (2) says: 'A petition in relation to a member may be made in writing to the Speaker by any other member.' Here, the term, 'member,' as per Rule (2) titled Definitions, means 'a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.' The last time the disqualification of legislators was carried out was in September 2017, when the then Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal took action against 18 MLAs of the AIADMK on the grounds that they had 'voluntarily given up' their membership of the party, after they owed allegiance to the dissident leader, T.T.V. Dhinakaran, who subsequently floated the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam.
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"If There Is Any Anger...": PMK Leader Anbumani Seeks Forgiveness From Father S Ramadoss
Chennai: PMK top leader Anbumani on Sunday appealed to his father, party founder S Ramadoss to forgive him in case of "anger" against him and asserted that he is ready to follow his diktats and realise his dreams for the party. Praising Ramadoss as "national leader," Anbumani expressed confidence that a coalition regime, in which his party will be a constituent, shall next year form the government following the Tamil Nadu Assembly election. Addressing the party's district level general council meeting at Tiruvallur near here, Anbumani spoke on strengthening the party by way of measures including village level outreach and enrolling youths as members. He said the district level meetings were being held to achieve such objectives. A coalition regime, in which his party will be a constituent, shall next year form the government following the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, he affirmed. The PMK was not founded to facilitate the formation of government by the DMK or the AIADMK, he said without explicitly naming the two Dravidian parties. "We should also rule," he said adding only then social justice could be upheld. "We do not require anything else." Anbumani said, in 2004, his party was a partner in the UPA-I government and it was the PMK that made the demand to implement 27 percent reservation for OBCs in education in central government educational institutions a part of the Common Minimum Programme. However, when the assurance was not implemented 2 years after the formation of government by the UPA, the party founder, his father Ramadoss said the PMK may walkout of the alliance if the promise was not honoured. Only then the assurance was fulfilled by the UPA. "It was a coalition government. This is what Tamil Nadu too needs," he said and reiterated that PMK's principle is social justice. On the occasion of Father's Day on June 15, he conveyed his greetings to Ramadoss, and said the party founder should live joyously for more than 100 years with good health and peace of mind and facilitating it was also his duty as a son. "If there is any anger against me, please pardon me," Anbumani made an open appeal to his father Ramadoss when the power struggle between the father-son duo appeared to be at its peak within the party. Further, Anbumani said his father had underwent coronary bypass surgery a decade ago and the octogenarian leader had to manage blood pressure and diabetes. "That is why I said, you should maintain good health; do not get tensed up. Tell me what I should do as a son and as party president and I will do it immediately, then and there. Do not get angry and do not be concerned. This is a party you built. We will realise your dreams.," he said adding his father's 45-year hard work was nothing ordinary. "You (Ramadoss) are a national leader," he said adding PM Narendra Modi last year hailed the PMK founder as the India's senior most leader. Stressing on people's rights and referring to his proposed people's rights retrieval yatra, Anbumani accused the DMK government of "making false assurances" and deceiving the people. He claimed that people will not believe the DMK and the "countdown for the end of the DMK regime starts from today." On June 13, Ramadoss asserted that he will continue to be the party president till such time he is alive. On that day, fifty-six year old Anbumani, announced, "Tamil Nadu people's rights retrieval yatra," for 100 days commencing from July 25, the birthday of his father and PMK founder Ramadoss. The objective of the yatra is to win 10 rights. These are right to social justice, women's right to live free from violence, right to employment, right to farming and right to food and right to development. Other rights his journey will be focusing are: right to public service, right to health and right to education, and right to be free from alcohol and drug harm and right to sustainable urban development and right to a healthy environment, according to the party. Ramadoss days ago announced that he would be party chief as long as he lived. He said Anbumani should agree to function as executive president and that alone was the solution to end the bickerings within the PMK.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
From silver screen to Parliament: journey of Tamil actors to Rajya Sabha
Kamal Haasan, one of Indian cinema's most versatile and multi-faceted actors, is set to enter the Rajya Sabha — seven years after making his political debut with the launch of Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Though his party has no representation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, his path to the Upper House has been paved by the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This move is the result of an electoral pact struck last year, in which the actor-politician agreed to campaign for the DMK-led alliance without contesting a seat, in exchange for a nomination to the Rajya Sabha. With this, Mr. Haasan becomes the eighth Tamil film actor to make the transition from the silver screen to the House of Elders. Here's a look at other Kollywood stars who have served in the Rajya Sabha over the decades. S.S. Rajendran Sedapatti Suryanarayana Thevar Rajendran — better known as S.S. Rajendran or S.S.R. — holds the distinction of being the first Tamil actor to enter the Rajya Sabha, elected on a DMK ticket in 1970. A key figure in Tamil cinema, the Latchiya Nadigar (Principled Actor) was known for his rationalist leanings, and consciously avoided playing mythological roles. S.S.R. had earlier made history in 1957 as the first actor in the world to win an election. Contesting as one of 15 'Independent' candidates of the then-nascent DMK — which lacked a formal election symbol at the time — he was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Theni constituency, a seat he successfully retained in 1962. His Rajya Sabha tenure, however, saw a dramatic moment that brought him national attention. Just months after entering the Upper House, S.S.R. missed a crucial vote on the 24th Constitution Amendment Bill to abolish privy purses on September 5, 1970. As reported in The Hindu under the headline 'Rajendran was late by a few seconds', the actor-politician had been ill with a stomach upset but rushed to Parliament after being told his vote was vital. Tragically, he reached the Rajya Sabha lobby just as the doors were closing — missing the vote by mere seconds. The Bill, which was defeated by just one vote, marked a significant embarrassment for the Indira Gandhi government. At the time, the DMK had seven MPs in the Rajya Sabha; while five voted in favour, one, G.P. Somasundaram, was absent with the party's permission. S.S.R. began his career in cinema as a playback singer before moving to acting and then politics. Later, he joined the AIADMK and returned to the Assembly in 1980, winning from Andipatti — a constituency that would go on to elect M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in 1984 while he was hospitalised in Brooklyn, New York. In 2002, the same seat sent another star-turned-politician, Jayalalithaa, to the Assembly through a byelection. S.S.R. passed away in October 2014, leaving behind a unique legacy at the intersection of cinema and politics. Sivaji Ganesan A contemporary of S.S. Rajendran in both cinema and politics, the legendary Sivaji Ganesan had a long, though largely unremarkable, political career. For much of his political life, Ganesan — born V.C. Ganesan — was aligned with the Congress (I). In March 1982, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, filling the vacancy left by the passing of Bollywood actor Nargis Dutt. However, his stint in Parliament was short-lived. In November 1984, Ganesan resigned both from the Congress (I) and his Rajya Sabha position. According to a report in The Hindu, the actor announced his resignation at a press conference held at his Chennai residence. Citing the frustration of his loyal fan base, he said, 'My followers, who have made sacrifices for the growth of the Congress party, can no longer put up with the insults heaped on me and the manner in which the reasonable claims of my Fans Associations for contesting the elections have been rejected. To demonstrate their strength in various constituencies, they have filed nominations.' Following his departure from the Congress, Ganesan aligned briefly with the Janata Dal and, in 1988, launched his own party: Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani. But the move failed to gain traction. In the 1989 Assembly elections, the veteran actor, despite his enormous popularity and devoted fan base, was defeated in Tiruvaiyaru. That loss effectively marked the end of his political career. Sivaji Ganesan passed away in July 2001, remembered more for revolutionising Tamil cinema than for his political foray. Jayalalithaa Two years after stepping away from cinema and entering politics, Jayalalithaa — who had starred opposite M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in 28 films — was fielded by the AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha biennial elections of March 1984. At the time, she was serving as the party's propaganda secretary. Her nomination was formally proposed by K. Rajaram, the then Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, while Chief Minister M.G.R. himself backed the candidature of Valampuri John. In a striking coincidence, Jayalalithaa was allotted seat number 185 in the Rajya Sabha — the same seat once held by former Chief Minister and DMK founder C.N. Annadurai, a renowned screenwriter, in 1963. 'Jayalalithaa stole the scene wherever she was. Her maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha was widely acclaimed for its clarity of diction and elegant prose. Khushwant Singh, a fellow member, gushed that here was a beauty with brains. Even Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was impressed,' wrote author Vaasanthi in her biography Amma: Jayalalithaa's Journey from Movie Star to Political Queen. Jayalalithaa — then spelling her name as 'Jayalalitha' — was elected the AIADMK's deputy leader in Parliament, while R. Mohanarangan served as the leader. However, her rapid rise met with resistance. In 1985, during M.G.R.'s prolonged hospitalisation in Brooklyn, she was removed from her post. Responding to this, she told The Hindu, 'If Mr. M.G. Ramachandran was perfectly all right and in full possession of his mental faculties, able to understand questions and give instructions, then why are these leaders afraid to let me meet him?' Jayalalithaa resigned from the Rajya Sabha in January 1989 after being elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from Bodinayakkanur. She was then leading a faction of the AIADMK and went on to become the first woman Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu. In 1991, she united the party, led it to a sweeping electoral victory, and became the youngest Chief Minister of the State. Jayalalithaa remained a dominant force in Tamil Nadu politics until her death in office in December 2016. Vyjayantimala Bali Vyjayanthimala Bali, the earliest Tamil film heroine to make a successful foray into Hindi cinema (1955) was also an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer and a prominent political figure. A member of the Congress, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Madras South constituency in 1984 and 1989. In August 1993, Vyjayanthimala was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, following in the footsteps of her contemporary Sivaji Ganesan. However, her tenure in the Upper House was not without frustrations. In 1994, she raised a grievance regarding her exclusion from the official list of Members of Parliament eligible to implement the Prime Minister's Local Area Development (MPLAD) scheme. In a telegram addressed to Rameshwar Thakur, then Union Minister of State for Rural Development, she wrote: 'Already seven months have passed. I am disillusioned at the indifferent attitude of your department. The purpose of the Prime Minister's scheme is nearing failure. Immediate action is necessary to include my name in the Tamil Nadu list and release the funds for implementation.' Disillusionment with the Congress eventually led her to part ways with the party. In 1999, she joined the BJP. Cho S. Ramaswamy Cho S. Ramaswamy — acclaimed Tamil film comedian, satirist, journalist, and political commentator — entered the Rajya Sabha in December 1999 as a nominated member. Though not affiliated with any political party, Cho was widely known for his alignment with right-wing politics and for his sharp, independent voice in public discourse. Joining him in the Upper House at the time was another iconic figure from the world of films — legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. As a nominated member, Cho remained true to his forthright style and was unafraid to challenge dominant narratives. In 2003, he expressed frustration over being denied the opportunity to speak during a Rajya Sabha resolution that deplored the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Writing in The Hindu in April that year in an article titled 'Resolution Lacks Moral Authority,' he recalled: 'I was one of the members listed to speak on the resolution. The Chairman decided that from among the nominated members, only one would speak, and that was not me. When I pleaded that since mine might perhaps be the only voice against the resolution, I should be given an opportunity to express my views, I was told that opposing the resolution would be an insult to the Chair, since the resolution was in the name of the Chairman.' Cho passed away in December 2016. S.S. Chandran Two years after Cho S. Ramaswamy entered the Rajya Sabha, another comedian from Tamil cinema, S.S. Chandran, followed — but through a different route. Unlike Cho, Chandran was openly political. His career saw him move across party lines — from the DMK to Vaiko's MDMK, before finally settling in the AIADMK. Ironically, it was Chandran's sharp criticism of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, whom he had once admired, that paved his way to the Upper House. In June 2001, when the Jayalalithaa government came under heavy fire for the controversial midnight arrest of Karunanidhi at his Oliver Road residence, Chandran emerged as one of the most vocal defenders of the Chief Minister's actions. His blunt and unwavering support did not go unnoticed. The following month, when biennial Rajya Sabha elections were announced, Jayalalithaa sprang a surprise by nominating Chandran as one of the AIADMK candidates. In an interview with The Hindu, Chandran remarked, 'As a comedian, I can make the Parliament laugh with my jokes and make my point heard with due attention. In this, my role model is Piloo Mody, who was one of the best speakers in Parliament.' Chandran passed away in October 2010. R. Sarath Kumar Tamil film star R. Sarath Kumar, known for his transformation from screen villain to hero, entered the Rajya Sabha in 2001, the same year as comedian S.S. Chandran. His nomination by the DMK came as a surprise — even to the actor himself. Just hours after Jayalalithaa announced her party's Rajya Sabha candidates, DMK leader M. Karunanidhi unveiled Sarath Kumar's name, catching political observers and the actor off guard. At the time, Sarath Kumar was busy shooting for the film Samudram at A.V.M. Studios. Having joined the DMK in 1998, Sarath Kumar had previously contested the Lok Sabha elections from Tirunelveli but lost. Still, his active involvement in the South Indian Film Artistes' Association, where he served as secretary, helped him gain political visibility. Reflecting on his nomination, he said: 'I strongly feel that my outspokenness, sincerity, and the boldness with which I approach a subject made Mr. Karunanidhi feel that I am the best choice for the MP's post.' He added that he intended to speak in Parliament about the controversial arrests of M. Karunanidhi and two Union Ministers on June 30, 2001. 'If an opportunity comes, my maiden speech in Parliament could be about the imposition of Article 356 (President's Rule) in Tamil Nadu,' he said. However, Sarath Kumar's political affiliations shifted over time. In 2006, he quit the DMK, later had a brief association with the AIADMK, and eventually launched his own party — the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi. In 2024, he merged his outfit with the BJP. (Note: Another prominent Tamil film personality from outside the acting world to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha is music maestro Ilaiyaraaja in 2022.)
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Retrieval of Katchchatheevu is the only permanent solution to T.N. fishermen's woes, reiterates CM Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) said that retrieving Katchchatheevu from Sri Lanka could be the only permanent solution to the issues faced by fishermen in the State. He also recalled the recent special resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, insisting on the retrieval of the islet from the neighbouring island nation. 'Over the past four years, 1,383 fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and 185 boats confiscated in 97 incidents. I have written 76 letters to the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, requesting to secure the release of the arrested fishermen and their boats,' Mr. Stalin said, while addressing a government function at Tiruvottiyur near Chennai. Whenever he has met the Prime Minister and the Union Minister for External Affairs, he has raised these issues with them, Mr. Stalin said, and underlined the efforts of the MPs from the DMK and its allies in urging the Union government on this issue in Parliament. 'Only because we kept raising this issue, 1,354 fishermen have been released so far. We have been continuously taking steps to bring back the remaining 29 fishermen. The Sri Lankan government has not released 229 boats that have been confiscated since 2018,' Mr. Stalin said. While efforts, including a political campaign to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka, were on, Mr. Stalin said on the other hand, the government has provided aid to the affected owners of boats — ₹5 lakh each to 129 owners of mechanised boats and ₹1.5 lakh to 26 owners of country craft. The aid has since been increased to ₹6 lakh and then to ₹8 lakh, he said. Projects inaugurated During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated 13 projects that have been completed at a total cost of ₹596 crore and launched special programmes for the welfare of fishermen in Palk Bay. He launched 'Alaigal' to provide micro loans to women groups and also began the distribution of welfare measures to the tune of ₹10 crore to over 2,200 beneficiaries. Mr. Stalin said that of the seven fishing harbours that were to be established at a total cost of ₹258 crore, four were completed and have come into use, while steps were on to complete the remaining projects. Ministers Anitha R. Radhakrishnan and P.K. Sekarbabu; North Chennai MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy; legislators K.P. Shankar, S. Sudharsanam, R.D. Shekar, Thayagam Kavi, Durai Chandrasekar, Katharbatcha Muthuramalingam, M.K. Mohan, Joseph Samuel, J.J. Ebenezer, Idream R. Murthy; and senior officials were present.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Three-day rose show begins in Ooty
NILGIRIS: As part of the summer festival, the 20th Rose Show began at the Government Rose Garden in Ooty on Saturday. Chief Whip of Tamil Nadu Assembly K Ramachandran inaugurated the three-day show in the presence of Kumaravel Pandian, Director of Horticulture and Plantation Crops Department, and Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru, Nilgiris Collector. The main attraction of the show is a 22-foot-tall pair of dolphins created using 80,000 roses. Likewise, thousands of roses were also used for designing other aquatic creatures such as an Olive Ridley turtle, penguin, dugong, seahorse and starfish. Tourists, especially children, were attracted by the fish daughter, clownfish and pearl oyster displays. Speaking at the inauguration, Ramachandran said the Rose Garden, which was established in 1995 by the Horticulture and Plantation Crops Department as part of the 100th flower show held at the Government Botanical Garden (GBG), has developed into a world-famous Rose park. Initially, 1,919 varieties of 17,526 roses were planted, and now it has gone up to 32,000 roses with 4,301 varieties, including rare ones. 'The 20th-year theme of the rose show is to ensure protection of sea creatures. A total of 7.25 lakh visitors visited last year's rose show,' said Ramachandran, who requested the people to pay a visit to the show, which will conclude on Monday. Ramachandran also said the state government will renovate the walking path in the surroundings of the Ooty Lake and the Kodappamund Channel at a cost of `3 crore, along with restoration of the Bykara Road.
