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Chennai Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan in an interview with The Hindu said people of Tamil Nadu are angry as the state missed several schemes due to the DMK government treating the ruling BJP as an "enemy". Expressing confidence that the AIADMK-led NDA, of which his party is a constituent, is the "winning front" in the upcoming Assembly elections, he said the DMK and actor C Joseph Vijay's TVK could fight for the "second position". Edited excerpts In 2016, you refused to join the AIADMK alliance because its leader Jayalalithaa asked TMC (M) candidates to contest on the 'Two Leaves' symbol. But in 2021, you contested on 'Two Leaves'. Now, what prompted you field your party's five candidates on the BJP's 'Lotus' symbol? TMC (M) was revived in 2014, and 2016 was our first Assembly election. We joined the third front [People's Welfare Front]. We wanted to contest on Moopanar's 'Cycle' symbol. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the 'Cycle' symbol in 2016 because there was an Election Commission case from the Panthers Party of Kashmir. So, we were forced to get a new symbol. Since we are a party that champions farmers' rights, we chose 'Coconut Grove'. Unfortunately, the entire front was not able to win in 2016. The next election was the 2019 Lok Sabha election, and we were part of the NDA led by the AIADMK. Even then, we did not get the symbol and contested on 'Auto' in one Lok Sabha seat. In 2021, we wanted 12 seats, but we got only six. Even though there was no Election Commission case then, we took a policy decision that if we did not get a minimum of 12 seats, we would contest on the symbol of the party with which we are in direct alliance -- the AIADMK. So, we contested on 'Two Leaves'. In 2024 [parliamentary polls], we joined the BJP-led NDA, got three seats, and contested on our own 'Cycle' symbol. Now, again in 2026, there is a problem in getting our symbol. Since we are in direct alliance with the BJP, we have decided to contest on 'Lotus'. If I do not take the 'Lotus' symbol this time and have to go for my own symbol, I would get either 'Chair', 'Table', 'Cricket Ball', or 'Hockey Stick', which we cannot take to the voters in a short time. If your candidates get elected on the 'Lotus' symbol, they technically become members of the BJP. Wouldn't this impair the TMC (M)'s growth and long-term prospects of getting ECI recognition? That is not the technical point. They are members of the TMC (M) party, and they are our MLAs. When there is a whip [by the BJP], it has to be followed. It is not a new rule for TMC (M) alone. Throughout the country, it is the rule for all parties that choose to contest on the symbol of another party, as per the Election Commission norms. The question was not only in the context of voting in the Assembly. In general, representing your party in the Assembly, while contesting on another party's symbol, won't that make a difference? There is nothing to hide. We are always comfortable with our own symbol. When my party is unable to get it as per the Election Commission rules, I have to win the election and show my strength. I have to move to the immediate next option. I did not go to any party with which I am not in alliance. I am in close track with the BJP. I have supported them in all the Bills in Delhi [parliament]. I am a confident ally of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. I have been going with them without any break over these seven or eight years. I feel 'Two Leaves' and 'Lotus' are double engines in Tamil Nadu. Your party candidates will face off with two sitting Ministers and the son of a Minister in another seat. Why were you given tougher constituencies than your other allies? I see it the other way. Today, I see the political situation with the DMK and the people differently. Anti-incumbency is at its peak. More than a normal DMK candidate, ministers have higher anti-incumbency. The anger against them is even greater. That is because of their corruption and over use of power. Even in their own ministries, they have not performed properly. They have not addressed the law and order problems in their own areas. In the name of development, they have swindled money. All this is going to help my candidates against the ministers. We are going to fight it out. We have our own strategy to win that way. The DMK front is framing this election as Tamil Nadu vs New Delhi. What's your view? Absolutely wrong. This is an election for the safety of the people of Tamil Nadu, especially women. Development of Tamil Nadu in all ways by both the State government and the Central government should be the core. The DMK has been one-sided. When it comes to development, they think their development is final. They don't want any development from the Centre because of vote bank politics. It should be a double-engine sarkar (government). The Central and State governments should work together, hand in hand. People should benefit from towns to villages. If you pitch it that way, won't that raise the argument that a party opposed to the party in power at the Centre should not come to power in the States? Not at all. Because, as far as the Tamil Nadu government is concerned, they did not see the BJP as an opposition party; they saw it as an enemy party because of vote bank politics. That is a wrong precedent they followed. They missed a lot of Central government schemes here. People are angry with them. People want a change. This kind of attitude for a ruler will never develop Tamil Nadu. They think only their sticker should be there and that the Central government's sticker should not be here. That is wrong. Sound will come only if we clap both hands. Their attitude is totally wrong. Forget about other States. The people of Tamil Nadu are very clear. Even after separating from the Congress and floating the TMC in 1996, your father G.K. Moopanar was steadfast in his opposition to the BJP. But since you revived the party, you have been amicable with the BJP, travelling with them for a long time. Why is there a difference in approach between your father and you towards the BJP? My father died 25 years ago. In these 25 years, a lot of dynamics in politics has changed. There are two sides to the coin in Indian politics after Independence. One can be represented by [Jawaharlal] Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi. The other side is now, after [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee's stint, it is Narendra Modi's era. The people of India believe in the BJP government under Modi's leadership. That is why, solidly, for the third time, a [central] government is coming to power in this technological era. Nobody can fool anyone into getting votes. In around 90% of the States, people have rejected the Congress party. Therefore, in the interest of the nation, I think I am on the right track. You say TMC (M) is on the right track. However, between 1996 and 2002, the TMC, in its first avatar, had achieved considerable electoral success. But your party has been unable to win seats. What is the reason? An honest leader in politics has to accept certain things. Whether it is a win or not, I have to take responsibility. There is no doubt about it. Winning and losing are common factors in our democracy. That cannot be the reason for losing all the time. It is unfortunate that our alliances in all these four elections were not successful. I am also part of those unsuccessful alliances. We were not able to get a minimum number in the minimal seats we got. Do you think there will be a change in this trend in the upcoming election? The same party with which I am in alliance has been able to score across India for the third time, to which my contribution is also there. When it comes to Tamil Nadu, we are slowly trying to assess ourselves politically and gain a winning momentum. I am sure this election will be an eye-opener for the people of Tamil Nadu for a double-engine sarkar. I think people have now learnt well that the relationship between the Centre and the State is very important. A prosperous Tamil Nadu and a strong India is the need of the hour. We already have a powerful India under the Prime Minister. We need a prosperous Tamil Nadu, which will definitely come through the tandem working of both the Centre and the State. Barring the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the contest in Tamil Nadu was largely between two fronts in the last few elections. Now, actor Vijay is entering the fray. How do you see his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's political entry? As a leader of a political party, I do not want to underestimate any political party in Tamil Nadu. I know how difficult it is these days in public life to run a political party, have a cadre base, meet people, build alliances, and get votes. When the situation is like this, new parties like TVK have to be dealt with very carefully. I am very confident that the NDA in Tamil Nadu, under the AIADMK leadership, is a winning alliance. At the same time, I do not want to give room to any other party trying to cut our votes to a large extent and threaten our victory. I am sure we are the winning front and we are the first front. So we deal with all parties carefully, not with overconfidence. I want to carefully plan a strategy to secure the first position and accordingly build the voting base for me. Let the DMK and Mr. Vijay fight for the second position. But Mr. Vijay has been repeatedly asserting that this election is between the TVK and the DMK, completely ignoring the AIADMK-led alliance... As far as we are concerned, when we feel we are the winning front, we need not bother about the second and third fronts' claims. It can be between Mr. Vijay and the DMK; I am not bothered about it. I want to keep our winning mark very clear. I am careful about the other two or three fronts not reaching our mark. That is my idea behind the election strategy. If Mr. Vijay says this election is between the TVK and the DMK, it is his claim. I am not worried about it. Mr. Stalin's strategy may be Delhi vs Tamil Nadu. My strategy is that the AIADMK-led NDA is the first front. Your tenure as a Rajya Sabha member ended recently. Is there a possibility of another tenure? I am very happy that I have served the people of Tamil Nadu for three terms in the Rajya Sabha. Eighteen years is not a short time. I was a Union Minister for 10 years. I have been continuously a party leader for several years. I am very happy that, with all the capacity I had, I tried to serve the people to the best of my ability and help my party grow. It is not the end of politics. I was very particular not to give importance to a Rajya Sabha seat, because it should not be the reason for losing my numbers. Last time, because I was given a Rajya Sabha ticket, I got only six seats. Now I want to be careful. Being in the Rajya Sabha was secondary for me. The first priority was to secure more seats for my party.
IMPHAL, Nov 17: The NPP on Sunday withdrew support from the BJP-led Government in Manipur, even as violence continued to rock the state as offices of the Congress and the saffron party were ransacked in the hill district of Jiribam where an unidentified body was found earlier in the day, officials said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp A BJP MLA's ancestral house was vandalised in Imphal Valley while a building owned by Ashab Uddin, the Independent legislator of Jiribam, was ransacked, officials said. The incidents occurred a day after irate mobs set fire to the residences of ...Read More >
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], November 19 (ANI): With the Maharashtra elections approaching, wrestler and Congress MLA from Haryana's Julana, Vinesh Phogat, held a roadshow in Pune to support Congress candidate Datta Bahirat from the Shivajinagar Assembly constituency. She urged voters to ensure a victory for the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticising the Mahayuti government for "injustice" by toppling the government elected by the people. "Everything is going well... If people shower their blessings on us on the 20th, we will win with a bigger margin this time. I appeal to voters to respond to ...Read More >
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
Assam's 75th Constitution Day highlighted the importance of the Indian Constitution, with CM Himanta Biswa Sarma commemorating the contributions of freedom fighters and Dr. BR Ambedkar. The event, held in Guwahati, underscored the Constitution's reflection of India's cultural heritage and its role in ensuring equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma participated in the 75th Constitution Day celebrations in Guwahati, emphasizing the significance of the Indian Constitution. This annual observation, assigned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 ...Read More >
Story so far: India celebrated its 75th year of adoption of its Constitution on Tuesday (November 26, 2024) with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint session of parliament. While the Constitution of India hits its diamond jubilee this year, event commemorating is as 'Constitution Day' was started only in 2015. Prior to this, it was called 'National Law Day' -- first initiated by former Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Laxmi Mall Singhvi in 1979. "The Indian Constitution is a live, progressive document," said Ms. Murmu adding, "I urge all citizens to imbibe the constitutio ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 26, 2024), indicated a level of hypocrisy attached to criticism about Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), saying ""EVMs are tampered when you lose and fine if you win". The oral remark was made by Justice Vikram Nath before dismissing a petition filed by evangelist K.A. Paul, who urged for a judicial order to return to paper ballots. Also read:EVM-VVPAT case | Cannot disclose 'source code' of EVMs, will result in misuse: Supreme Court Justice Nath, during the hearing, asked Mr. Paul whether he wanted to turn the court into a political arena. Mr. Paul sa ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Amit Malviya on Tuesday accused Rahul Gandhi of being "so arrogant that he did not even greet the President" during the 75th Constitution Day event held in Parliament. This comes as the grand old party has often voiced its criticism against the saffron party for not inviting President Droupadi Murmu at the inauguration ceremony of the new Parliament building last year and Ram Temple consecration this year. "Rahul Gandhi is so arrogant that he did not even greet the President. Just because she comes from the tribal community, is a woman and Rahul Gandhi is the prince of ...Read More >
Constitution Day, known as Samvidhan Divas, is observed annually on November 26. This day commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chairman of the Drafting Committee, played a pivotal role in shaping this foundational document. The Constitution officially came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking a transformative chapter in India's history. Why Do We Celebrate Constitution Day? Constitution Day is celebrated to remind citizens of their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Indian Constitution. It serves as an opportunity to appreciate ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party leader and in-charge of the party's National IT Department, Amit Malviya, on Monday, criticised the Congress party's 'hypocrisy' over their stance on the Adani Group, pointing to past investments and agreements made with the corporate conglomerate by Congress-ruled states. Taking to social media platform X, Malviya referenced Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's recent "public admission of accepting money" from the Adani Group on November 10, 2024, pointing out that this acknowledgment contradicted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ...Read More >
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India] November 18 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party MP K Laxman slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress party of 'misleading' people. He further said that the people of Maharashtra know "how to teach a lesson" to Congress. "Revanth Reddy as a CM of Telangana and as a Congress leader is misleading the public. Maharashtra people are clever enough they know how to teach a lesson to these Congress people and Revanth Reddy you will come to know what has happened in Haryana that is going to be repeated in Maharashtra, and Jharkhand also," K Laxman ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to introduce ballot paper in place of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale rejected the prayer to return to the ballot system due to the alleged manipulability of EVMs. "When you lose, EVMs are tampered with; when you win, EVMs are fine," remarked the apex court, when the petitioner referred to the statements made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor Jagan Mohan ...Read More >
Proceedings in both houses of the Parliament came to halt on Wednesday amid protests by Oppostion members over the Adani Bribery controversy, recent violence in Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh and other issues. Lok Sabha proceedings were initially adjourned until 12 noon and later until Thursday, as Opposition members, including those from Congress, protested and sought to raise various issues at the start of the session. Some members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party were in the Well while other Opposition members stood in the aisle and shouted slogans. The Opposition members wanted to discus ...Read More >
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition is now gearing up for a national protest after losing Maharashtra state elections. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, which suffered a crushing defeat in last week's Maharashtra state elections, is now gearing up for a national protest against the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which it blames for its loss. The MVA, led by the Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (led by Sharad Pawar), is planning to challenge the use of EVMs in court and demand a return to ballot paper voting. Fo ...Read More >
Guwahati: A group of intellectuals and prominent citizens met the officials of the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and demanded the immediate release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh. Various other organisations also organised protest rallies and demonstrations against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. The intellectuals under the banner of 'Forum for Protection of Minorities in Bangladesh' urged the Bangladesh caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to make all efforts to protect the minorities in Bangla ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 28 (ANI): India has expressed its concern over the escalating incidents of violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and desecration, and damage to their places of worship, and has also called on the interim government there to ensure the safety of minorities. In a response to question asked by RJD MP AD Singh, Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Kirit Vardhan Singh in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, stated that the "primary responsibility" for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, "rests with ...Read More >
New Delhi, Nov 26 (UNI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday greeted the people on the occasion of 75th Constitution Day. On social media handle X, Kharge said, "The Constitution of India, painstakingly and carefully drafted by our foremothers and forefathers, is the lifeblood of our nation. It guarantees us social, economic and political rights. It constitutes India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC". He said, "Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are not ...Read More >
BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya, CR Kesavan, and Pradeep Bhandari, accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of arrogance after he allegedly failed to greet President Droupadi Murmu, a tribal woman, during her speech on Constitution Day. Malviya claimed that Gandhi's refusal to acknowledge the President stemmed from her tribal background, while Kesavan and Bhandari pointed to Gandhi's "dynastic entitlement" and anti-tribal sentiments. The President, addressing Parliament, highlighted the significance of India's Constitution and lauded the government's efforts in social justice and inclusive dev ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, campaigning to invite global investors to the Global Investors Summit to be held in Bhopal in February 2025, addressed an interactive session with industrialists during a roadshow in London, UK, on Tuesday. Yadav praised the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the rapid industrial development seen across India. Inviting the industrialists to invest in Madhya Pradesh, he highlighted that the state possesses one of the largest land banks in the country. Madhya Pradesh has transparent and investor-friendly policies and is a leader in the mining and ...Read More >
The Indian government has announced a 375km rail network expansion, aimed at enhancing economic growth and connectivity in North Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. With a total cost of approximately Rs79.27bn ($1.05bn), these projects are aimed to be completed within four years. Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, detailed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs' approval of three railway infrastructure projects. The projects include the Jalgaon-Manmad fourth line (160 km), Bhusawal-Khandwa third and fourth lines (131km), and the Prayagraj (Iradatganj)-Manikpur thir ...Read More >
Shinde accepts BJP's decision, likely to receive key ministries Shinde has agreed to BJP's decision to make a Chief Minister from its ranks. He is expected to be given important portfolios like Urban Development, Public Works Department, and Water Resources. Sources also say that two Deputy Chief Ministers will be appointed, one each from Shiv Sena and NCP. Pawar has told his party leaders that the swearing-in ceremony could take place this weekend. Despite initial resistance, Shinde announced his party's support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's decision on the ...Read More >
ABUJA, Nov 17: Nigeria on Sunday conferred its second-highest national award - the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger - on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive the distinction. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp "Honoured to be conferred with the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger' Award by Nigeria. I accept it with great humility and dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India and the friendship of India and Nigeria," Modi said after receiving the award from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Click here to watch vid ...Read More >
Campaigning for the November 20 assembly bypolls to four seats in Punjab ended on Monday evening with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Opposition Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party making last-ditch efforts to mobilise support for their respective candidates. Hours before the campaign ended at 6 pm, major political outfits intensified their efforts to woo the voters. Bypolls to four assembly segments -- Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC) and Barnala -- will be held on November 20 from 7 am to 6 pm, and the results will be out on November 23. The bypolls were necessitated afte ...Read More >
A crucial meeting of Manipur's National Democratic Alliance, chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, saw significant absences, with only 27 out of 45 MLAs attending. The meeting, convened amidst rising ethnic violence, resulted in a seven-point resolution demanding immediate action on issues like the reimposition of AFSPA and mass operations against Kuki militants. Tensions within the ruling coalition were evident, as several lawmakers, including a cabinet minister, skipped the meeting without explanation. The resolution included a threat of political consequences if decisions were not implem ...Read More >
Also Read: Indian Constitution at 75: Defending ideals amidst erosion "Today, we recall the tremendous contribution of the Constituent Assembly and its prolific members. We are forever indebted to their vision and wisdom," he said. Kharge said Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Babasaheb Dr BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Dr Rajendra Prasad, KM Munshi, Sarojini Naidu, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and several eminent personalities were not just revered national icons but inspiring personalities who became the torchbearers of hope for generations togeth ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Odisha for three days, from November 29 to December 1, to attend the annual Director General of Police (DGP) conference in Bhubaneswar. Union home minister Amit Shah will accompany him at the event, which will be held at the convention hall of Odisha Lok Seva Bhawan (State Secretariat). PM Modi and Shah are expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar on Friday afternoon. Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the high-profile visit, with the city placed on high alert. Areas surrounding the event venues have been declared 'no-f ...Read More >
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Hospitals to exams, public suspicion of public institutions comes from bitter experiences In Prayagraj, student protests outside the UPPSC office have waned after it agreed to conduct the provincial civil services preliminary exam on a single day. The decisions that drew these large protests were per se unobjectionable. Officials cited the large number of applicants to split the exam over two days, then normalise the results. This is a routine pract ...Read More >