Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, once projected as the face of a generational shift in the Congress party in Kerala, is finding the political ground beneath him increasingly shaky, not because of attacks from the ruling CPI(M), but due to growing dissent within his own party.
When Satheesan was elevated to the LoP post in 2021, bypassing senior figures like Ramesh Chennithala, it was seen as the high command’s attempt to break away from the entrenched factional politics that had gripped the party since the 1970s. From the bitter Karunakaran–Antony rivalry to the Chandy–Chennithala years, group wars have shaped Congress politics in Kerala. Satheesan’s assertive leadership initially helped rein in veterans such as Chennithala and state party chief K. Sudhakaran.
However, the tables appear to have turned with younger leaders – Shafi Parambil, P.C. Vishnunath and V.T. Balram – challenging him. Matters worsened when first-time MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was hit by allegations of sexual misconduct. Satheesan’s tough stand against the legislator drew criticism from social media networks sympathetic to the “young turks”, who accused him of isolating a colleague.
Observers note the irony. “During Oommen Chandy’s tenure as Chief Minister (2011–16), Satheesan, along with then KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, gave Chandy one of his hardest times. Now, Satheesan is experiencing similar resistance,” remarked a political analyst. Beyond internal rumblings, Satheesan is also reportedly losing the confidence of influential community organisations like the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam – both crucial players in Kerala’s electoral landscape.
These shifts could weaken the traditional support base of Congress. Amid these pressures, Satheesan, who has represented Paravur since 2001 after his initial defeat in 1996, is said to be weighing a shift to the Congress stronghold of Thrikkakara. The constituency, considered loyal to the party, is seen as a safer bet.
For now, Satheesan has maintained a combative front in the Assembly. But insiders say the upcoming local body elections will be a decisive test of his leadership. Any setback could not only dent his credibility but also embolden internal rivals further. At a time when the Congress is struggling to regain lost ground in Kerala, Satheesan’s ability to navigate this storm may well determine both his own political survival and the party’s future trajectory in the state.
—IANS
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The internal tussle in the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has taken a new turn after the Election Commission formally recognised Anbumani Ramadoss as the party’s President. Following this decision, reports suggest that party founder Dr. S. Ramadoss has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation.
The father-son conflict within the PMK has been simmering for months. Both Ramadoss and Anbumani convened separate general council meetings, each claiming to be the legitimate leader of the party. On August 9, Anbumani held a general council session that passed a resolution appointing him as party President. After examining the records submitted on August 10 and 11, the Election Commission accepted this resolution and issued a letter confirming his leadership.
The Ramadoss camp, however, has refused to accept this outcome. Senior executives Murali Shankar, MLA Arul and Swaminathan met Chief Election Commissioner on September 17, urging the poll panel to withdraw recognition of Anbumani. They also requested that the party headquarters be recognised at Thailapuram, the founder’s residence, rather than the address submitted by Anbumani’s group.
Despite these objections, Anbumani commands the backing of a majority within the party. Three out of five PMK MLAs, General Secretary Vadivel Ravanan, Treasurer Thilagavathi Bama, most district secretaries, and over 90 per cent of the general council members have rallied behind him. The Election Commission has maintained that its decision was based on this overwhelming support.
With the Commission’s stance clear, the Ramadoss faction is preparing to challenge the decision in court. Meanwhile, advisers close to Dr. Ramadoss have urged him to directly approach Prime Minister Modi. They believe that while the BJP leadership is firmly behind Anbumani, the PM continues to hold great respect and personal admiration for Dr Ramadoss, having met him on several occasions in the past.
“The BJP is openly backing Anbumani, but the Prime Minister has always valued Dr. Ramadoss,” said an executive aligned with the founder. “If he meets Modi, there is a chance to strike a balance and ease tensions within the party. That is why he has sought time with the Prime Minister.” As the legal and political battle unfolds, the PMK remains a divided house, with the father-son rift threatening to weaken the party ahead of crucial state polls.
—IANS
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Despite Kerala’s claim of being 100% literate, the persistence of dogmatism and fundamentalism continues to restrict the participation of Muslim women, even in academic and campus events. A recent incident has sparked widespread criticism, where Muslim female students wearing hijabs were segregated and seated behind a curtain, with male students positioned in the front, during a debate at Kasaragod College. The event was focused on the topic “From Gaza to Science and Religion.”
A photo from the debate surfaced, showing Dr. Abdullah Basil CP, a prominent figure with strong Islamic fundamentalist views, addressing the gathering. The image clearly shows a curtain drawn between male and female students during the event.
Dr. Basil, known for his advocacy of the hijab, has previously been involved in controversial incidents promoting Islamic conservatism. In one such instance, a video surfaced where Dr. Basil silenced a female student who had argued against the hijab. The student had stated that women wear makeup and fashionable clothes not to attract men, but to boost their own self-confidence. Dr. Basil, however, countered with what many deemed absurd arguments, asserting that modesty, symbolized by the hijab, is the true expression of self-confidence.
The video, recorded just a few days ago, shows Dr. Basil speaking on the virtues of simplicity, claiming that wearing no makeup or fancy clothes signifies a deeper, purer form of self-confidence. His remarks were echoed by an organization called Umasking Anomalies, which promotes Islamic teachings and uses Dr. Basil’s words as propaganda. The organization has urged Malayali-speaking audiences, particularly youth, to pay attention to his thoughts on the hijab, presenting them as an idealized version of simplicity and modesty.
Figures like Dr. Abdullah Basil and organizations such as Umasking Anomalies are actively working to influence college students with their Islamic fundamentalist views. They argue that true freedom and self-confidence for women lie in adhering to a conservative interpretation of Islamic practices, such as wearing the hijab. This rhetoric continues to limit the autonomy and empowerment of young women, using religious dogma as a means of control.
On 19 September 2025, a large rally was held in the city, organized by a coalition of groups, including, Dravidianist film personalities, and Islamist outfits to demand an end to Israel’s ongoing war against the Palestinian.
The protest, which took place on Langs Garden Road in Pudupet, saw the participation of over 5,000 individuals, including leaders such as Thol. Thirumavalavan, the head of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, M.H. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Dehlan Baqavi of the Socialist Democratic Party of India, rabid Separatist Thirumurugan Gandhi, the coordinator of the May 17 Movement, and Dravidianist personalities like Sathyaraj and Prakash Raj, as well as director Ameer and Vetrimaran.
While addressing the rally, Dravidianist actor Prakash Raj stirred controversy by holding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi partly accountable for the violence in Palestine. He stated that the crisis was not solely Israel’s doing, but also the result of support from the United States and the silence of leaders like Modi.
Prakash Raj said, “Why are you artists coming here? If speaking against an injustice is politics, then we will speak politics. There is a poem, this war will end, all the leaders will hand shake and leave, but the truth is that there is a mother waiting for his son, a woman waiting for her husband, children waiting for their father. We do not know who sold this nation and land. But we know who paid the price for it. This is what will happen if we remain silent. There is an answer for them who ask why do artist like you talk like this. A poet who says that if I do not want politics in my poetry, I want to hear the sound of birds. If I want to hear the sound of birds, the sound of warplanes must stop. The rain is coming. Finally, I will say a word and speak. What I, all of us, have to say to this world is that even if it is a wound to our individual body, our silence will heal it. But if I remain silent and do nothing for a wounded nation, it will be more of an injury to a country and humanity. Therefore, before we die… we should not die. Let us fight. This voice will be heard. This is not only Israel’s fault but also America’s which supports it, and also Modi, who remains silent, is also responsible. This is not only Israel’s fault, but also the responsibility of the United States, which supports it, and Modi, who remains silent. Everyone who chooses to stay silent is also responsible. “
Speaking at the protest, DMK stooge Sathyaraj said, “The massacre happening in Gaza is unbearable to watch. How can they go and drop bombs with such a lack of humanity? When you see those children dying, how can the person who attacks Gaza sleep peacefully? Does he have no humanity? They say man evolved from apes, but these people haven’t become full human beings; they stopped halfway. That’s why they have this kind of mindset. The world nations must stop this; the UN must make a decision. Every time a community fights for its freedom, this is how genocide happens. This is how our Tamil brothers, who strived for the Tamil community to flourish in Sri Lanka, were brutally killed. Not just the fighters, but innocent people too were killed. Here too, in the name of war, Israel is planning to wipe out an entire community. The USA is aiding and abetting it.
Everyone might think, “If we hold a meeting in Chennai, will that war stop immediately?” Yes, it will. With today’s social media, if we raise our voice against injustice from any corner of the world, it will reach the entire world. A woman and a man working in the American military were arrested for protesting that America should not give them missiles and weapons. A lone woman and man, who work in the American army, raised their voices loudly without caring about anything, when I saw that, it made me so emotional.
Participating in a meeting like this is the duty of artists like us. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the leaders and comrades here. We actors, like me, my brother Prakash Raj, Vetri Maaran, and our brother Ameer, we act in cinema. That’s a business. We have some talent, and we use that talent to earn money and support our families. But if our popularity, our fame, our reputation is not used for such human rights and human liberation causes, then there is no point (m*yir*kum) in being a famous actor.
For these leaders, going to jail has become an ordinary thing. For my brother Thirumurugan Gandhi, it’s a normal matter. For all the leaders here fighting for the oppressed people, for them, this struggle, the police beatings, and jail are an everyday occurrence, like my brother Thirumavalavan. The people sitting on this stage are the real heroes. We are all “shadow heroes.” Everyone should understand that. Therefore, when we raise our voices against the injustices happening in the world, all people must come together and raise their voices. This is my request. There is no religion, no caste, no God, and no country in this. There is only humanity. Don’t think this is a meeting in support of our Islamic brothers. This is a meeting in support of humanity. Don’t forget that life is common to everyone.”
Sathyaraj also took a moment during the rally to read out a statement of condemnation issued by Dravidar Kazhagam chief K. Veeramani, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and denouncing the ongoing violence.
Similarly speaking at the protest, Dravidianist director Vetrimaran said, “I believe it is the responsibility of every one of us, as an artist and as a human being, to stand in support of people wherever they are being oppressed and wherever they are being killed by oppression. On that basis, what is happening in Palestine is a planned, century-long, systematic genocide. Knowing that civilians and children are taking refuge in schools and hospitals there, they are throwing bombs. For hundreds of years, they have been destroying hundreds of acres of olive trees that are a source of livelihood for them.
They have been doing this continuously, but now they are acting with a very specific and determined plan. Today, Gaza has been declared a famine zone. The UN has declared it as such, which means one in five people are dying of hunger and one in five children are malnourished, without any nutrition. All aid is outside, and they are not allowing it inside Gaza. It is the duty of all of us to condemn this planned massacre, this genocide. I consider participating in such a protest to be my duty and my right. All human beings should gather at this place to emphasize this point. Just now Sathyaraj sir said, “Will this bring about change?” Change doesn’t happen all at once. But it is our duty to register our protest. On that basis, we have gathered here to show that we stand with the people of Palestine, the people of Gaza. I request that we continue to express our voice of protest like this.”
However, the duplicity of the Islamo-Dravidianists were evident. Those who now vocally condemn Israel’s actions were silent when Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups launched a large-scale attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 an assault that marked the beginning of the latest round of violence often referred to as the “Gaza War” or “Israel-Hamas conflict.”
The same individuals failed to speak up during major domestic tragedies, such as the Kallakurichi hooch incident, where 69 people lost their lives, and the illicit liquor deaths in Ekkiarkuppam, Marakkanam, which claimed 14 lives. Additionally, there was minimal reaction to the custodial death of Ajith Kumar and the honor killing of Dalit techie Kavin. The only notable exception was Thirumavalavan, who condemned the honor killing but avoided criticizing his political ally, the DMK.
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Radical Leftist and DMK stooge actor Prakash Raj has once again stirred controversy by holding Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the ongoing violence in Palestine. According to Raj, the crisis is not solely the result of Israeli aggression but is also fueled by continued support from the United States and the silence of global leaders, including Modi.
His remarks were made during a large-scale rally organized by various Islamist and Dravidianist groups in Chennai on 19 September 2025. The protest, aimed at condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza, took place on Langs Garden Road in Pudupet and drew a crowd of over 5,000 participants. Notable figures in attendance included Thirumavalavan, the head of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, M.H. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Dehlan Baqavi of the Socialist Democratic Party of India, Thirumurugan Gandhi, the coordinator of the May 17 Movement, and Dravidianist DMK stooge film personalities like Sathyaraj, Ameer and Vetrimaran.
While addressing the rally, Dravidianist actor Prakash Raj said, “Why are you artists coming here? If speaking against an injustice is politics, then we will speak politics. There is a poem, this war will end, all the leaders will shake hands and leave, but the truth is that there is a mother waiting for her son, a woman waiting for her husband, children waiting for their father. We do not know who sold this nation and land. But we know who paid the price for it. This is what will happen if we remain silent. There is an answer for them who ask why do artist like you talk like this. A poet who says that if I do not want politics in my poetry, I want to hear the sound of birds. If I want to hear the sound of birds, the sound of warplanes must stop. The rain is coming. Finally, I will say a word and speak. What I, all of us, have to say to this world is that even if it is a wound to our individual body, our silence will heal it. But if I remain silent and do nothing for a wounded nation, it will be more of an injury to a country and humanity. Therefore, before we die… we should not die. Let us fight. This voice will be heard. This is not only Israel’s fault but also America’s which supports it, and also Modi, who remains silent, is also responsible. This is not only Israel’s fault, but also the responsibility of the United States, which supports it, and Modi, who remains silent. Everyone who chooses to stay silent is also responsible. “
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On 19 September 2025, a large rally was held in the city by various organizations and artists, calling for an end to Israel’s ongoing violence against the Palestinian people.
The demonstration was organized under the banner of the Coalition of Periyarists. Key figures, including Thol. Thirumavalavan, leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, M.H. Jawahirullah, president of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Dehlan Baqavi of the Socialist Democratic Party of India, Thirumurugan Gandhi, coordinator of the May 17 Movement, as well as actors Sathyaraj, Prakash Raj, and filmmakers Ameer and Vetrimaran, were among the participants in the march, which took place on Langs Garden Road in Pudupet. More than 5,000 people took part in the protest.
Baqavi emphasized that Israel had been relentlessly bombing Gaza, displacing over 900,000 Palestinians who were left without refuge.
Jawahirullah condemned the ongoing attacks, criticizing the escalation of violence in Gaza. He also pointed out that while Israel continued its actions, the U.S. had blocked a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the region.
Yet again, the Congress party has been exposed for circulating misinformation and later attempting a cover-up by deleting their post. Just hours after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission was engaged in software-driven voter deletion and vote theft to help the BJP, the Kerala Congress unit shared a video on x claiming it showed a man deleting voters from the rolls.
Kerala Congress posted a video claiming it to be ‘Nagraj, son of NrdrMd,’ deleting Congress votes.
But actually, the person is Bhaskar Kakati, an employee of Guwahati Post Office, known for his very fast working speed.
The clip, however, turned out to be entirely misleading. It actually featured Bhaskar Kakati, an India Post employee stationed at Meghdoot Bhavan, the Guwahati General Post Office in Assam. Known locally for his extraordinary typing speed, Kakati has been featured in Assamese media before, with reports noting how people often prefer his counter since he clears requests faster than others.
Despite this, Kerala Congress captioned the video with a mocking post, calling the man “Nagraj” and alleging he was removing Congress voters at 4 a.m., drawing a bizarre comparison to Rahul Gandhi’s jibe against the Prime Minister. After the truth came out, the party quietly deleted the post.
The Assam BJP strongly criticised the move, accusing Congress of tarnishing the reputation of a hardworking clerk for political propaganda. In a statement, the party said: “Congress has once again exposed its bankrupt politics! To run their propaganda, they shamelessly dragged a respected Guwahati GPO clerk—known for his honesty and lightning-fast service—into their petty drama. The man who has earned love through hard work is being mocked by a party that has never respected workers.”
Congress has once again exposed its bankrupt politics! To run their propaganda, they shamelessly dragged a respected Guwahati GPO clerk—known for his honesty and lightning-fast service—into their petty drama. The man who has earned love through hard work is being mocked by a… https://t.co/nfWfyp8Eym
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has already dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, clarifying that voter deletion cannot be done online and is carried out only by the ECI after due process and hearings.
In a disturbing turn of events, Madurai witnessed two separate incidents of children being mauled by stray dogs on the same day, sparking fear and outrage among residents.
In the first case, Michael, a resident of Kamarajapuram, was sending his 7-year-old daughter, a Class II student, to school this morning. While the child was walking with her grandfather, a stray dog suddenly charged at her. The girl sustained serious bite wounds on her cheek, thigh, and leg.
In another incident in Nagamalai Pudukkottai, an 8-year-old boy, son of Muthupandi, was on his way to a government school when a stray dog attacked him. The boy was bitten on his hand, leaving him injured.
Both attacks, though unrelated, have heightened public concern as stray dogs roaming the streets particularly at night continue to pose a threat, even targeting children accompanied by elders.
Alarmed residents have urged authorities to act swiftly, demanding that stray dogs be controlled or relocated immediately. Following the appeal, civic workers have begun operations to capture the animals in the affected areas.
An old interview of DMK stooge Rajya Sabha MP and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan has resurfaced online, sparking fresh controversy. In the clip, Haasan can be heard making remarks justifying sexual predators while blaming the Mahabharata for crime against women.
During the program, when asked about the rise in crimes against women, Haasan responded that such incidents were not surprising in a country that reveres an epic in which a woman was treated as collateral in a gambling game.
Referring to the Mahabharata, which millions consider sacred, he said, “We should not blame rapists because what examples have we given them? Mahabharata. You have given them an example where you can gamble your wife. You have given him the wrong story to follow. You have given them a wrong example to follow. You have made it a holy book now.”
🚨 SHOCKING & SHAMEFUL
Anchor asks about r@pe — Kamal Khan Hassan brazenly says “Don’t BLAME the rapists” and instead attacks Hindu epics.
The resurfaced remarks have gone viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters. According to reports, then multiple legal cases have been filed against Haasan in places including Tirunelveli and Bengaluru.
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A delegation from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on Friday visited the CPI(M) state headquarters, the AKG Centre, in Thiruvananthapuram as part of its engagement with communist parties in India.
The CPI(M) shared photographs of the visit along with a brief message on its official Facebook page. The delegation was led by He Meng, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi, accompanied by Zhou Guohui, Counsellor in charge of political party affairs at the embassy, and Guo Dongdong, Second Secretary handling political party affairs. The team was received at the AKG Centre by CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan.
Later, the delegation also visited the MN Memorial, the CPI state headquarters in Kerala. There, they were welcomed by CPI National Executive Member K. Prakash Babu and Kerala Minister for Food and Civil Supplies G.R. Anil. During the visit, the Chinese representatives handed over a book authored by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prakash Babu as a gesture of goodwill.
In discussions, CPI leaders briefed the visiting delegation on what they described as Kerala’s achievements in land reforms, universal literacy, public distribution system, agricultural development, land distribution, housing schemes, life expectancy, and healthcare. The CCP representatives, in response, commended the popular participation in Kerala’s development model, observing that the state’s political history and progress had drawn international attention.
The visit was described by both sides as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen friendship and exchanges between the CCP and Indian communist parties.
