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We Believe In Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindutva: CM Siddaramaiah

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The Commune
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We Believe In Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindutva: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the Congress party believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s Hindutva who was a true Ram devotee.

While addressing a gathering at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday following the unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, the CM said, “Mahatma Gandhi, who was a true Ram devotee and an exemplary Hindu, was killed by the BJP Parivar’s Godse. We believe in Gandhi’s Hindutva, while the BJP Parivar follows the murderous ideology of Godse.”

“Gandhi’s Hindutva embraced love, harmony, and equality. On the contrary, the BJP Parivar opposes these values, harbours hatred for Gandhi’s principles, and acts against the Constitution and Ambedkar’s ideals,” Siddaramaiah stated.

He further said, “We aim to pass on Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies to the next generation more meaningfully. With a vision to fulfil Gandhi’s dream of Gram Swaraj, we will move forward with the ‘Jai Bapu – Jai Bhim – Jai Samvidhan’ campaign.” Siddaramaiah recalled that 100 years ago, Mahatma Gandhi presided over the Congress party session in Karnataka and kindled the flame of the Independence struggle on this very land. On December 25 and 26, 1924, the historical Belagavi session was held and Mahatma Gandhi presided over it. On December 26, 1924, Mahatma Gandhi took charge as the President of the AICC. It was the first and last time that he became the President of the AICC.

He did not become the president again, he noted. “It is unforgettable that in Karnataka’s land, in Belagavi, Mahatma Gandhi took charge as the President of the AICC and ignited the freedom struggle in the country. In his speech, Mahatma discussed truth, non-violence, equality, rural development and other issues. He stressed up on women’s empowerment,” he said. “However, the BJP is branding Mahatma Gandhi as anti-Hindu. This is a blatant lie. During his last breath after being shot, Mahatma Gandhi took lord Ram’s name. He uttered ‘Hey Ram’ before passing away. We do not need any other example. He is a true Hindu, we do not need more evidence to prove it,” the CM said.

“Mahatma Gandhi is not an enemy of Hinduism. He wanted reforms in Hinduism and wanted Hindus and Muslims to live like brothers,” he stated. “Along with bringing Independence, he dreamt of how the governments and ministers in the country should function. Many seers, reformers and sages have condemned the caste system and tried to change society. These ideals are reflected in the Ambedkar’s Constitution.

“We, the Congress are in favour of the Constitution and the BJP opposes us. We have to protect the democracy and the Constitution and in turn, we will be protected by them,” CM Siddaramaiah said. “We should not let the BJP change the Constitution. It has been making attempts in this regard for years. The future generations must remember these challenges and do introspection,” he said.

–IANS

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Indian Space Economy Projected To Touch $44 Bn In Next Decade: Jitendra Singh

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The Commune
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Indian Space Economy Projected To Touch $44 Bn In Next Decade: Jitendra Singh

In the next 10 years, the Indian space economy is projected to touch $44 billion, said Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday. Speaking at an exclusive programme on Sansad TV, the MoS highlighted India’s transformation in the space sector, which began with the opening of the sector to private investment said Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on Tuesday.

Speaking at an exclusive programme on Sansad TV, “The space economy has grown to $8 billion and is projected to touch $44 billion in the next decade,” Singh said. “Milestones like the indigenous Gaganyaan Mission, the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 (2027), Shukrayaan (2028), and the Indian Space Station (2030) showcase India’s robust trajectory,” he added. The Minister also lauded startups and FDI for fuelling innovation, with missions like SPADeX enabling docking capabilities, marking a leap in technological advancement. He highlighted the Vyom Mitra robo mission as a precursor to human space exploration. The Minister also spoke on India’s biopharma sector, and the nation’s strides in governance and climate action.

He claimed that biomanufacturing and bio-foundries would foster the Fourth Industrial revolution. “India’s bio-economy, backed by abundant resources from the Himalayas to its shores, is the growth driver. As one of the first nations with a dedicated bio-economy policy, India is set to lead global innovation in recycling, manufacturing, and startups in this sector,” said Singh, adding that “India is one pioneer country who has prepared its BIO-E3 policy”. Singh also emphasised the shift to citizen-centric governance with initiatives like Mission Karmayogi that are redefining bureaucracy by prioritising role-based capacity building. “Digital innovations like the face-recognition-enabled digital life certificate and dynamic online modules have eased citizens’ lives,” he said.

Singh reiterated India’s commitment to combating climate change and addressing its heterogeneous climatic challenges, while stressing India’s leadership in preventive healthcare, meeting global standards in addressing health and environmental concerns. “India has emerged as a reliable partner on the world stage, driven by collaborative efforts, transparency, and innovation. The conducive environment created under PM Modi’s leadership has made the nation a hub for startups, businesses, and industries, cementing its position as a leader in technology, sustainability, and governance,” the Minister said.

–IANS

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PMK Urges Rs 40,000 Per Acre Compensation To Paddy Farmers Affected By Unseasonal Rain

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The Commune
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PMK Urges Rs 40,000 Per Acre Compensation To Paddy Farmers Affected By Unseasonal Rain

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre to paddy farmers whose crops were damaged by unseasonal rain. He also appealed to the government to expedite the procurement of paddy bags and recommended increasing daily procurement targets at Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) to meet farmers’ demands.

The CPI(M) has called on the state government to provide compensation of Rs 35,000 per acre to farmers for the affected crops. The CPI has also suggested increasing the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement to 22 per cent, citing challenges faced by farmers due to the unseasonal rain. In response to the widespread crop damage, the Tamil Nadu government has already appealed to the Central government to relax the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement from the current 17 per cent to 22 per cent. Food Minister R. Sakkarapani confirmed that a formal request has been sent to the Centre to address this issue.

The government revealed that paddy procurement for the 2022-23 Kharif marketing season has been ongoing since September 1, 2024. From September to January 17, 2025, a total of 1,349 DPCs facilitated the procurement of 5,72,464 tonnes of paddy from 80,634 farmers, with Rs 1,378 crore directly credited to their bank accounts. Despite these efforts, farmers in Tamil Nadu’s delta districts, often referred to as the “rice bowl” of the state, are facing severe distress. Unseasonal rain, cloudy skies, and frost have made it difficult to dry harvested paddy, resulting in grains with higher moisture content.

The districts of Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam have been hit hard by heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to severe inundation and water stagnation. These conditions are expected to cause extensive damage to Samba paddy crops. The state has already experienced a 40 per cent drop in Samba paddy production in the Delta districts during the 2023-24 season due to a deficit in the northeast monsoon. For the current season (2024-25), while there was adequate rainfall, inadequate de-silting and drainage measures have exacerbated the situation, leaving farmers vulnerable to significant crop loss.

–IANS

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“Amazing Gentleman, Have Huge Respects For Him”: DMK Industries Minister TRB Rajaa Praises Devendra Fadnavis As A “People’s Man” At Davos WEF Summit

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The Commune
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DMK Industries Minister TRB Rajaa Praises Devendra Fadnavis As A "People's Man" At Davos WEF Summit

DMK Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce, TRB Rajaa, has praised Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra from the BJP, as an “amazing gentleman” and expressed his deep respect for him while participating in the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

TN Industries Minister is pitching Tamil Nadu to investors at the World Economic Forum. He says he is happy as long as the investment stays in India. He mentioned, “If I am going to fight for an investment and Maharashtra is trying to pull it for Maharashtra, and I’m trying to pull it into Tamil Nadu, I don’t mind as long as it comes and stays in India. We are all fighting together for India. We don’t want to lose out to Vietnam, Indonesia, or Malaysia. That’s the whole story when we are aggressive.”

While sharing the stage with Fadnavis, Rajaa praised India’s growth story and called Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu the double engine. He said, “Honorable Chief Minister, it is an honor to share the stage with you, sir, the secretary, other chief ministers, and all officers here. Amazing people from all over India. It is a huge honor to be here today, especially at this opening. I’ll tell you what happened last year. Last year, we took Davos by storm, and it was just an India show. I think RIF thought that we need to put an end to this and bring them all together in one space, otherwise they are going to run out of space because it was India everywhere. So the world is seeing where India is growing, and it’s amazing to see the growth story we are experiencing together. The number one state, the number two state, and I’m not agreeing with you on that. I still think Mumbai is just beating us with numbers anyway. This right here is the double engine that’s running in India. This year, the double engine is powering India, it is a train of unstoppable growth story.”

Rajaa further praised Fadnavis in a statement, “I have great respect for him; he is a people’s leader, just like our leader MK Stalin. They are always on the ground, with the people and Chief Minister also had done that in Maharashtra. This goes as you said learning from each other.”

In a bid to attract international investments, six Indian states—Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala—are fiercely competing for attention at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from 20 to 24 January 2025. The event, which draws global leaders and investors, provides these states a platform to showcase their investment potential.

Several prominent political figures, including CMs Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrababu Naidu, and Revanth Reddy, are set to promote their states at the prestigious venue. The WEF features two India pavilions, one representing the central government and the other dedicated to the six states, which will occupy separate floors in the second pavilion. Key leaders attending include Nara Lokesh and T.G. Bharath from Andhra Pradesh, T.R.B. Rajaa from Tamil Nadu, Suresh Kumar Khanna from Uttar Pradesh, and P. Rajeev from Kerala. Maharashtra and Telangana have ambitious goals, with Maharashtra aiming to sign MoUs worth ₹7 trillion and Telangana targeting ₹1 trillion in investment.

Among the competing states, Andhra Pradesh is sending the largest delegation of 20 members and has allocated around ₹15 crore for its pavilion, themed “Sunrise State Andhra Pradesh.” Chief Minister Naidu is expected to hold 19 high-level meetings, including discussions with heads of state. Additionally, Andhra Pradesh’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh will conduct 50 bilateral meetings, focusing on sectors like IT, petrochemicals, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals.

Telangana is promoting its “Telangana Rising 2050” initiative, which aims for balanced development across the state. “Telangana will be divided into three distinct clusters to ensure growth beyond just Hyderabad,” explained Jayesh Ranjan, the state’s Special Chief Secretary for Industries, Commerce, and IT. Kerala’s delegation of six members will focus on sectors such as IT.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is launching a global campaign under the slogan #BullishOnTN. During the four-day event, the Tamil Nadu delegation has scheduled 50 meetings with potential partners, aiming to foster deeper ties with global leaders. “Our commitment to policy continuity ensures that MoUs are executed effectively, with streamlined approvals and an ideal ecosystem for industries to thrive,” stated Arun Roy, Tamil Nadu’s Industries Secretary.

(With Inputs From Business Standard)

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Oppose When In Opposition, Support When Seated In Power: DMK’s Hypocrisy On Parandur Airport Project Exposed

By
The Commune
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Netizens share old clips in which DMK opposed greenfield projects when in opposition, while backing them now when in power.

Netizens heavily accused the ruling DMK government of hypocrisy, as they shared old videos of current Chief Minister MK Stalin and Sun News, the DMK’s media outlet, which previously peddled a narrative to oppose the former AIADMK government for selecting greenfield projects on agricultural land. This strategy was once used as a tool to gain power, yet the same party is now advocating for these greenfield projects, claiming they are essential for economic growth.

This comes against the backdrop of actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay visiting farmers and protesters who have been demonstrating for over 900 days against the proposed Parandur airport project. Vijay expressed his solidarity with them during this visit, marking his first on-ground protest, where he engaged directly with the public. While his approach largely mirrored the DMK in opposition mode, which capitalized on people’s emotions against infrastructure projects to gain power, it reflects a similar political tactic.

Below are some instances of how the DMK opposed such projects in the past and has supported them once in power.

For instance, during a speech opposing the then-ruling ADMK, MK Stalin, the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, criticized the proposed 8-lane highway project, claiming, “This project will affect 8,000 acres of agricultural land. A data shows it will require the destruction of 300 acres of forest, 8 mountains, and cause damage to more than 10,000 wells, 154 lakes, 316 small ponds, 20 schools, over 250 ancient temples, 30,000 coconut trees, 4,200 borewells, and 28,000 houses. Edappadi Palaniswami is pushing this project for mere commissions, despite the severe impact on lakhs of people, particularly the livelihoods of women and children. They are determined to implement this project by cutting down all green trees and taking away half- to one-acre lands from farmers. Today, if anyone tries to stop them, they are being attacked and arrested.”

In another video shared, MK Stalin had criticized the previous AIADMK regime, portraying it as anti-farmer. He remarked, “Is he a farmer? Under his regime, all the farmland of the farmers was expropriated just to secure mere commissions.”

Moreover, the DMK’s first family-owned media outlet, Sun News, played a significant role in promoting the narrative that villagers opposed the proposed greenfield project, amplifying the voices of protesters in 2019 when the DMK was supporting the issue. However, by 2022, the narrative shifted, with Sun News focusing on why Parandur was chosen for the airport and framing the project as necessary for economic development was the height of hypocrisy.

If there is no opposition to a project, Sun News would give credit to the ruling DMK government, but when opposition arises, it would shift the blame to the central government. This reflects their inherent hypocrisy.

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Morattu Muttu: Dravidianist Journo Niranjan Kumar’s Desperate Attempt To Buttress TN Speaker Appavu’s ‘Younger Brother Gnanasekaran’ Comment Falls Flat

By
The Commune
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Niranjan Kumar defends Appavu, who claimed that Gnanasekaran, the accused of the Anna University case, was his younger brother.

After the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, M Appavu claimed that Gnanasekaran, the culprit in the Anna University sexual assault case, was his younger brother, his statement drew heavy criticism on social media. Opposition parties already raised concerns about Gnanasekaran’s ties to the ruling DMK, citing several photos of him with ministers and the Deputy Chief Minister. The Speaker’s comment reignited debate over whether the culprit has connections within the DMK and whether there is an attempt to shield him.

Appavu allegedly made this remark at an event on 10 January 2025, when a book launch ceremony for the book titled “India Won” written by Dravidianist journo Niranjan Kumar in Chennai. 

A portion of the video where Speaker Appavu, who was present at the event, spoke on stage which went viral has him saying, The Madras High Court has appointed three female IPS officers to investigate the case of my younger brother Gnanasekaran“.

Dravidianist Journo Niranjan Kumar To The Rescue

Like a true foot soldier of the Dravidianist party, Niranjan Kumar certainly went beyond expectations to buttress the DMK and also prove Speaker Appavu not guilty of anything. In a long post on his X handle, he tried to prove that the Gnanasekaran whom Appavu mentioned was a random person sitting at the event and even went on to claim he was an LIC agent. In the post, he wrote, “Some videos of Assembly Speaker Appavu’s speech are going viral, and explanations are required. The first thing Appavu spoke about was the launch of the book India Won that I had written. So I think it would be best if I provided an explanation for that. There were many people present at the function, one of whom was named Gnanasekaran. I personally do not know who he is. Since it was a book launch function at the Press Club, he had come as one of the public. He gave visiting cards to everyone present as if he were an LIC agent. The two women who came with him also gave visiting cards. As soon as the show started, he came on stage and gave his father a towel. Even though he was old, none of us stopped him. His father asked him what his name was. When the man said Gnanasekaran, he laughed and said, “Oh, this name has become a big problem for us now, and the case is progressing very quickly.” Then, during his speech, the LIC agent Gnanasekaran, who was sitting opposite him, was clapping his hands and getting excited. That’s why he referred to him as “brother” and gestured towards him. It is being spread that Appavu called Gnanasekaran, who is currently embroiled in a case, “Thambi“. While the program was going on, some journalists who came in laughed and said to their father, “They’re going to cut and paste what you said anyway and cause trouble.” Comrade Indrakumar Appavu, who was hosting the program, also provided an explanation of his speech on stage. I feel obligated to report what happened, which is why I am writing this post.”

Here’s why his claims and excuses fall short. Appavu in that short clipping clearly said that 3 female IPS officers are currently investigating the case of “Thambi” Gnanasekaran in the name of the Madras High Court order. One wonders whether the Gnanasekaran that Niranjan is indicating was involved in some case, that too being investigated by 3 women IPS officers!

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Assam STF Arrests Another Member Of Bangladesh-Based ABT Terror Group

By
The Commune
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Assam STF Arrests Another Member Of Bangladesh-Based ABT Terror Group

The Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has arrested one more associate of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a Bangladesh-based terror group affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said on Tuesday.

With the latest arrest, the STF so far arrested 14 associates of the ABT from Assam, West Bengal and Kerala.

An Assam Police spokesperson said that the STF as part of its ‘Operation Praghat’ operation against fundamentalists and Global Terrorist Organisations (GTO) arrested another wanted Jehadi/Islamic extremist identified as Ajibar Rahman (31) from Dhubri, an Assam district, which shares a border with Bangladesh and West Bengal.

He said that of the 14 detainees, including Bangladeshi nationals, they are working under the direction of Md Farhan Israk, a close associate of Jasimuddin Rahmani, the Chief of ABT. The ABT sent one Bangladeshi national Md Sad Radi alias Shab Sheikh a resident of Rajshai, Bangladesh, to India to spread their nefarious ideology amongst like-minded people across India.

“As evidence suggests their activities were organised with the intent to equip and promote their operational capabilities of extremist groups aiming to destabilise the country’s security and sovereignty. The investigation has been going on to unearth the whole nexus spreading across the country,” the spokesman said.

He said that under the direction of STF Chief Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Operation Praghat was conducted. On January 18, the STF in a successful operation arrested the most wanted Jihadi/Islamic extremist Jaheer Ali from Dhubri in western Assam. On December 30 last year, ABT cadre and the absconding prime accused, Gazi Rahman (35) was arrested with the assistance of Kokrajhar Police.

On December 27 last year, ABT associate Shahinur Islam (36) was arrested from Bandhabpara in Dhubri District while on December 24, the STF arrested Abdul Zaher Sheikh and Sabbir Mirdha from Namapara in Kokrajhar District and a huge cache of arms and ammunition and other war-like items were recovered from the hideout of one of the arrested accused persons.

The STF, as part of Operation Praghat on the intervening night of December 17-18, had apprehended eight ABT operatives across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala. Among the eight, five were arrested in Assam’s Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts, two in West Bengal, and one Bangladeshi national in Kerala. Of the eight arrests, Bangladeshi national Muhammad Sad Radi alias Md Shab Sheikh (32) was apprehended from Kerala. After the questioning of the eight detainees, the remaining accused persons were arrested from Dhubri and Kokrajhar, bordering Bhutan and West Bengal.

“With these 14 arrests, the STF achieved a huge success in averting a possible major terror act by fundamentalist/jihadi elements of a Global Terrorist Organisation (GTO),” the spokesman said.

Assam Police Special Director General Harmeet Singh earlier said the eight arrested persons were handlers in Pakistan and Bangladesh. They were working to form ‘sleeper cells’ in different parts of India and there were plans to assassinate leaders belonging to the Hindu community and RSS, besides undertaking violent and subversive activities in India, Singh had said.

The Special DGP had said that Operation Praghat under the direct supervision of STF Chief P.S. Mahanta was launched in November 2024 after a detailed and prolonged examination of intelligence input regarding the clandestine anti-national activities being carried out by a group of individuals under the direction of Md Farhan Israk, a close associate of Jasimuddin Rahmani, the ABT Chief.

In December last year, the Assam Police STF also arrested five members of the Pakistan-linked terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) from Kokrajhar and Dhubri. Four JeM operatives have been arrested from Kokrajhar district, while one JeM linkman was arrested from Dhubri district, a police officer said.

–IANS

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Vijay Adding Fuel To Fire Over Parandur Airport Issue, If He Wants To Be Responsible He Should Suggest Alternative Location: BJP TN Leader Annamalai

By
The Commune
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Vijay Adding Fuel To Fire Over Parandur Airport Issue, He Should Suggest Alternative Location, If He Is Responsible: BJP TN Leader Annamalai

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has accused Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay of “adding fuel to the fire” with his comments on the Parandur airport issue.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, Annamalai said, “Before PM Modi came to power, there were only 73 airports in India in 2014. Today, the number of airports has gone up to 158.”

The BJP leader highlighted that Chennai Airport is spread across just 1,000 acres, compared to Delhi and Hyderabad airports, which span 5,000 acres each, and Bengaluru Airport covers over 4,000 acres. Chennai Airport currently handles 25 million passengers annually, and this number is expected to reach 100 million within the next decade.

Annamalai pointed out that successive DMK and AIADMK governments had been requesting the Centre for a larger airport near Chennai for several years, adding that both governments had included Parandur in their prospective lists as a feasible site for the project.

“It was not the Centre’s decision to shortlist Parandur. If Vijay wants to be a responsible politician, he should recommend a suitable alternative location instead,” Annamalai stated.

The BJP leader emphasized that setting up an airport near Chennai requires at least 3,000 acres of land. He urged Vijay to provide constructive solutions rather than merely questioning the project.

“Only those who deal with problems constructively and provide solutions can become good politicians. Is Vijay going to add fuel to the fire or put it out and suggest solutions?” Annamalai asked. He also clarified that blaming the Central government for the issue was unjustified.

On Monday, Vijay pledged his support to farmers protesting against the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project. Addressing the protesting villagers, Vijay criticized the ruling DMK government for its decision to implement the project, vowing to stand with the farmers until the end. Vijay, who has transitioned from cinema to politics, emphasized the importance of farmers to the country, calling his involvement in the protest the beginning of his “field politics.”

While stating that he is not against development or the construction of a new airport, Vijay strongly opposed the selection of fertile farmland for the project. The TVK leader questioned the DMK government’s contradictory stance on developmental projects.

Referring to the party’s earlier opposition to the Tungsten project, Vijay asked why it now supports the Parandur airport project. Without directly naming the DMK, Vijay criticized its leadership for opposing projects like the eight-lane expressway while in opposition but disregarding farmers’ concerns after coming to power.

He accused the DMK government of being “anti-people” for pursuing the airport project, which he claimed would destroy 90 per cent of the farmlands and water bodies in the proposed area. Vijay also alleged that the ruling government had vested interests in the project, hinting at possible personal gains. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthugai dismissed Vijay’s visit to Parandur, claiming it would not have any impact.

During Vijay’s visit, several farmers and children awaited his arrival, holding bunches of paddy crops as symbols of their struggle. One farmer presented Vijay with a bundle of paddy after his speech. Social activists have also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the Parandur airport project.

They warned that the proposed land acquisition would affect more than 13 water resources in the area. The Parandur airport project, estimated to cost Rs 32,704 crore, requires 2,171 hectares of land. This includes 1,386.43 hectares of agricultural land, 577 hectares of water bodies, and 173 hectares of government land (poromboke).

–IANS

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Erode East Bypolls: NTK Launches Full-Fledged Campaign After Securing ‘Mike’ Symbol

By
The Commune
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Erode East Bypolls: NTK Launches Full-Fledged Campaign After Securing 'Mike' Symbol

The Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), led by actor-turned-politician Seeman, has launched an intensive campaign for the Erode East Assembly bye-election, which is scheduled for February 5.

This comes a day after the party was allocated the ‘microphone’ symbol on January 20. NTK is the only major political party opposing the ruling DMK in the bypolls. The AIADMK, BJP, and DMDK have chosen not to contest.

Speaking about the campaign, NTK candidate K. Seethalakshmi told IANS, “The allocation of the ‘mike’ symbol has bolstered our efforts. This symbol has already reached people to some extent and will make our campaign more effective. Our aim is to secure victory in this election.”

Seethalakshmi also mentioned that special squads and party cadres have been mobilised to conduct door-to-door campaigns across the constituency. A total of 46 candidates are contesting the Erode East bye-election. Initially, 47 candidates filed nominations, but one independent candidate, Padmavathy, had her nomination rejected.

The rejection followed complaints from two other independent candidates, Azhwar and Noor Mohammed, who alleged that Padmavathy’s name appeared in the voters’ list of K.R. Puram in Karnataka. Under election rules, only Tamil Nadu residents can contest Assembly elections in the state. Returning Officer, N. Manish, confirmed the disqualification after verifying the claim with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu. Among the 46 candidates, two are from recognised political parties, and 14 represent registered political parties.

The bye-election was necessitated by the passing away of veteran Congress leader EVKS Elangovan, who won the seat in 2023 after the death of his son, Thirumahan Everaa, due to a sudden heart attack on January 4, 2023. In the 2023 bye-election, Elangovan defeated AIADMK candidate K.S. Thenarassu by a margin of 66,233 votes.

This time, the AIADMK and BJP have opted out of the contest. The DMK is fielding V.C. Chandhirakumar, the party’s propaganda committee state joint secretary, against NTK’s K. Seethalakshmi. Despite the absence of strong opposition from the AIADMK and BJP, the DMK is making significant efforts to secure a decisive win.

Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin will spearhead the DMK’s campaign in the constituency. In the previous bye-election, NTK candidate Menaka Navaneethan managed to secure only 10,827 votes. However, the party is optimistic about improving its performance this time, with the new symbol adding momentum to its campaign. The bye-election will take place on February 5, and the counting of votes is scheduled for February 8.

–IANS

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Gautam Adani Attends Maha Kumbh Mela In Prayagraj, Prepares Mahaprasad

By
The Commune
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Gautam Adani Attends Maha Kumbh Mela In Prayagraj, Prepares Mahaprasad

Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group along with his wife Priti Adani made a heartfelt visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Tuesday, to participate in the ‘Ganga Puja’ and ‘Mahaprasad Seva’.

Gautam Adani immersed himself in the sacred rituals of Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering and offered prayers. The billionaire also participated in a host of rituals at the Mela ground, including preparation of the ‘Mahaprasad’ (sacred meal) and distributing it to the Kumbh pilgrims.

After offering prayers, Gautam Adani was also seen eating prasad along with his family members. As Gautam Adani along with his wife reached the ISKCON tent in Sector 18 this morning, they were welcomed with garlands and greeted with the outpouring of warmth from hundreds of devotees. Adani’s visit to Maha Kumbh underscores the deep connection between faith and service, as has been underlined in unique initiatives by the Adani Group like ‘Mahaprasad Seva’ and copies of ‘Aarti Sangrah’ to devotees.

An integral part of the Adani Group’s contribution to the Kumbh Mela is its collaboration with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) for distributing Mahaprasad to the millions of pilgrims. Devotees at Maha Kumbh are continuously praising Gautam Adani for his role in supporting this monumental event. The overwhelming response to the initiative reflects the spiritual and humanitarian impact of Adani Group’s contribution.

The Mahaprasad will be offered for the entire duration of the fair i.e. till February 26. Adani Group has also collaborated with Gita Press for a free distribution of 1 crore copies of “Aarti Sangraha” among the devotees at Maha Kumbh. Meanwhile, the spirit of devotion remained unshaken at the Mela ground despite the challenges posed by the chilly winter weather and dense fog.

On the ninth day of the Maha Kumbh, over 1.59 million devotees braved the freezing temperatures to bathe at the Triveni Sangam. According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by January 20, more than 88.1 million devotees had already visited the Sangam, making the Kumbh Mela one of the largest gatherings of humanity in the world.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years at four rotating locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain—continues to be a beacon of faith and devotion for millions of Hindus around the world. The event holds immense significance, offering an opportunity to cleanse one’s sins and seek spiritual renewal.

–IANS

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