Political News

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)’s MLA, GV Markandayan, was arrested on Monday after a complaint alleged that he made defamatory and threatening remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay during a recent public meeting. Markandayan, a three-time MLA, was taken into custody by police from his residence in Thoothukudi district, triggering protests by his supporters, who raised slogans against the police action. He was later formally arrested.

THOOTHUKUDI: AIADMK former minister RB Udhayakumar on Saturday alleged that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has not only failed to fulfil the poll promise to increase financial assistance to fishermen during the annual fishing ban period to Rs 20,000, referring to the budget announcement of Rs 7,000.Addressing an AIADMK Amma Peravai consultation meeting in Thoothukudi, Udhayakumar questioned the difference between the Chief Minister’s election promise and the announcement made by the Finance Minister in the Assembly. “During the election campaign in Kanniyakumari, Vijay promised to increase the financial assistance provided to fishermen during the fishing ban period from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000. But the Finance Minister has now announced only Rs 7,000 in the Assembly. Has the Finance Minister even read the earlier promise?” he asked. Udhayakumar also criticised the State government over its handling of the Cauvery water dispute and alleged that it had failed to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers.

Posters hailing Vijay as “today’s Chief Minister and tomorrow’s Prime Minister” have created a stir across Thoothukudi.After the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam formed the government, several prominent personalities and others from different political parties have reportedly joined the party. Meanwhile, TVK cadres have recently been projecting Vijay as a future PrimeMinisterThe campaign has reportedly caused unease among Congress leaders, who are in alliance with the TVK. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore has criticised the TVK for functioning with a fan-club mindset and has maintained that Rahul Gandhi is the Prime Ministerialcandidate. Amid this backdrop, posters featuring TVK leader Vijay and Sudhakar, who recently left the AIADMK and joined the TVK, have been put up across Thoothukudicity.The posters, issued in the name of the Thoothukudi Central District TVK, carry the message, “Today’s Chief Minister, Tomorrow’s Prime MinisterVijay.”The posters have triggered further political discussion in the district.

DMK and AIADMK jointly protest in Airal against Srivaikundam Thaveka MLA Saravanan of Thoothukudi district. Protesters claim that the Aral weekly market, which has been operating for 50 years, has been closed by order of Thaveka MLA Saravanan. Former DMK minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, former AIADMK minister Shanmuganathan and others are protesting. BJP and AMMK parties also participate in the protest of former DMK and AIADMK ministers in Ernal. DMK and AIADMK are jointly spreading false information that they ordered the closure of the weekly market – MLA Saravanan

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday announced a slew of benefits for MLAs, including government vehicles and a monthly allowance of Rs 1 lakh, as part of measures aimed at promoting transparent and efficient governance. During a series of announcements in the Assembly, Vijay said the annual coverage under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme would be raised to Rs 25 lakh from the existing Rs 5 lakh. He also announced that seven government medical college hospitals would begin offering additional medical and surgical care to transgender persons. Vijay also announced an increase in Aavin’s milk procurement price from Rs 38 to Rs 41 per litre, entailing an additional expenditure of Rs 360 crore per annum benefitting 3.16 lakh milk producers. He said the decision was taken despite the state’s financial constraints to ensure a fair and remunerative price for milk producers and support their livelihoods.