CPI-M today formally decided to forge an alliance with AIADMK to fight coming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, saying the need of the hour was to bring all secular and left democratic forces under one umbrella to defeat the DMK-Congress combine. The decision was taken on the concluding day of the two-day meet here of the party's Tamil Nadu state committee meeting, which was also attended by CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat. A resolution adopted at the meeting alleged that the family of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had "spread like octopus" in all spheres including politics, media and film world and only the defeat of the DMK at the hustings could save the state. In order to defeat the DMK-Congress combine and BJP, the need of the hour was to bring all secular and left democratic forces under one umbrella, it said. The meeting constituted a three-member committee headed by the state Secretary G Ramakrishnan for holding seat sharing talks with the AIADMK for the polls, due in May. The CPI-M had contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections as part of the AIADMK-led front.
Source:- Expressbuzz.com
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
India has failed to protect fishermen from TN: Pandian
CPI state secretary D Pandian on Monday came down heavily on the central and state governments for failing to protect Indian fishermen from attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Talking to mediapersons here, Pandian said it was a matter of shame for the entire nation that fishermen were continuously being gunned down by Sri Lankan forces without any valid reason. "While we often hear success stories about Indian forces who capture sea pirates in the Somalin Coast situated several miles away from India, we are unable to protect our fishermen who venture into the Rameswaram waters, just a few miles away from the coast. The government is making a clean surrender before the Sri Lankan forces," he alleged.
When asked about the forthcoming elections, he said his party would do its best to bring all opposition forces together, barring the BJP, to defeat the 'corrupt' DMK regime. "There will be more clarity by February 20. The alliance formed by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for the last Lok Sabha election still remains strong and vibrant and the focus is now on strengthening it further by inducting other democratic forces," he said. According to him, the seat-sharing talks among alliance partners in the AIADMK front would start after February 20.
Meanwhile, another AIADMK ally, the CPM, will organise a two-day state committee meeting on Monday in Chennai to discuss poll alliance.
Read more: Times of india
Talking to mediapersons here, Pandian said it was a matter of shame for the entire nation that fishermen were continuously being gunned down by Sri Lankan forces without any valid reason. "While we often hear success stories about Indian forces who capture sea pirates in the Somalin Coast situated several miles away from India, we are unable to protect our fishermen who venture into the Rameswaram waters, just a few miles away from the coast. The government is making a clean surrender before the Sri Lankan forces," he alleged.
When asked about the forthcoming elections, he said his party would do its best to bring all opposition forces together, barring the BJP, to defeat the 'corrupt' DMK regime. "There will be more clarity by February 20. The alliance formed by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for the last Lok Sabha election still remains strong and vibrant and the focus is now on strengthening it further by inducting other democratic forces," he said. According to him, the seat-sharing talks among alliance partners in the AIADMK front would start after February 20.
Meanwhile, another AIADMK ally, the CPM, will organise a two-day state committee meeting on Monday in Chennai to discuss poll alliance.
Read more: Times of india
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Join Jaya, defeat DMK, Cho tells Captain
Political commentator and editor of the Tamil weekly Thuglak Cho Ramaswamy has asked Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) leader Vijayakanth to ally with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to put an end to corrupt rule of DMK in the State.
Addressing the gathering at the 41st anniversary meeting of the Thuglak Magazine here on Friday, Cho Ramaswamy said the AIADMK has more support than the DMK among the people. But it would be good for the AIADMK to have a strong alliance to fight the DMK in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
In this context, Cho said that Vijayakanth, who had faced enough problems from the DMK government, should do away with his stance to contest the elections independently.
“Vijayakanth’s stand of fighting independently will not yield any desirable result, so it is high-time he joined the AIADMK front to get rid of the DMK,” suggested Cho.
Earlier, responding to questions from the audience, Cho strongly remarked that AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa was one leader in Tamil Nadu, who could bring about a change in the State, and urged the people to vote for her.
Acclaimed writer S Gurumurthy earlier spoke about the spectrum scam during the event.
Source: expressbuzz.com
Addressing the gathering at the 41st anniversary meeting of the Thuglak Magazine here on Friday, Cho Ramaswamy said the AIADMK has more support than the DMK among the people. But it would be good for the AIADMK to have a strong alliance to fight the DMK in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
In this context, Cho said that Vijayakanth, who had faced enough problems from the DMK government, should do away with his stance to contest the elections independently.
“Vijayakanth’s stand of fighting independently will not yield any desirable result, so it is high-time he joined the AIADMK front to get rid of the DMK,” suggested Cho.
Earlier, responding to questions from the audience, Cho strongly remarked that AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa was one leader in Tamil Nadu, who could bring about a change in the State, and urged the people to vote for her.
Acclaimed writer S Gurumurthy earlier spoke about the spectrum scam during the event.
Source: expressbuzz.com
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Seeman to contest against MK in Assembly polls
Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam founder president and Tamil film director Seeman on Monday announced that he would contest against DMK chief and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the coming Assembly elections.
Seeman, who was released from Vellore Central Prison after the Madras High Court quashed his preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA) recently, spoke to the media after calling on MDMK chief Vaiko here on Monday.
Asked whether he would campaign for the AIADMK in the forthcoming Assembly polls, he said his party would be aiming for the defeat of DMK-Congress combine and AIADMK is the party that can challenge this alliance. He said his party would support the AIADMK in the elections.
When asked about his meeting with Vaiko, Seeman, who charged that the State government misused NSA and booked him under the Act twice, said he wanted to thank the Vaiko for his support.
Vaiko and Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement convenor Nedumaran had called on Seeman while he was in Vellore prison.
The idea of fielding Seeman as a common Opposition candidate against Karunanidhi was tossed up publicly for the first time on Sunday at the launch of a book, What should be done for this?, by Tamilaruvimanian, a speaker at the event. Several Eelam supporters like Tamil nationalists movement leader Nedumaran and film personalities Seeman, Nassar and Manivanan spoke at the function in which the book, which has a collection of 300 photographs related to the genocide in Sri Lanka, was released.
MDMK was represented by party deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya and the PMK had send Velusamy MLA for the event. Speaker after speaker said that their prime aim was to defeat the Congress-DMK alliance in the elections.
The PMK was snubbed by one of the speakers, who said Tamil nationalistic fervour could not be nurtured by being with Sonia Gandhi and with Tamil lovers at the same time.
The meeting also touched upon the subject of organising protests against the conduct of the cricket world cup as the Sri Lankan team was part of it.
Source: Expressbuzz.com
Seeman, who was released from Vellore Central Prison after the Madras High Court quashed his preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA) recently, spoke to the media after calling on MDMK chief Vaiko here on Monday.
Asked whether he would campaign for the AIADMK in the forthcoming Assembly polls, he said his party would be aiming for the defeat of DMK-Congress combine and AIADMK is the party that can challenge this alliance. He said his party would support the AIADMK in the elections.
When asked about his meeting with Vaiko, Seeman, who charged that the State government misused NSA and booked him under the Act twice, said he wanted to thank the Vaiko for his support.
Vaiko and Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement convenor Nedumaran had called on Seeman while he was in Vellore prison.
The idea of fielding Seeman as a common Opposition candidate against Karunanidhi was tossed up publicly for the first time on Sunday at the launch of a book, What should be done for this?, by Tamilaruvimanian, a speaker at the event. Several Eelam supporters like Tamil nationalists movement leader Nedumaran and film personalities Seeman, Nassar and Manivanan spoke at the function in which the book, which has a collection of 300 photographs related to the genocide in Sri Lanka, was released.
MDMK was represented by party deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya and the PMK had send Velusamy MLA for the event. Speaker after speaker said that their prime aim was to defeat the Congress-DMK alliance in the elections.
The PMK was snubbed by one of the speakers, who said Tamil nationalistic fervour could not be nurtured by being with Sonia Gandhi and with Tamil lovers at the same time.
The meeting also touched upon the subject of organising protests against the conduct of the cricket world cup as the Sri Lankan team was part of it.
Source: Expressbuzz.com
Monday, January 3, 2011
Despite DMK snub, PM says alliance is strong
Hours after DMK chief M Karunanidhi chose not to receive him at the airport in Chennai, the Congress party's alliance with the DMK is "as strong as ever" said the Prime Minister today.
Dr Manmohan Singh was in Chennai to inaugurate the 98th Science Congress this morning. Before that, he did meet Mr Karunanidhi at the city's Raj Bhawan. This was their first meeting since DMK leader A Raja was forced to resign as Telecom Minister in November because of massive corruption charges in the 2G spectrum scam.
Mr Raja is seen to be a favourite of the DMK leader. Raids in connection with the 2G scam have included Mr Raja's homes and offices, as well as the offices of some close associates of the DMK in Chennai, including senior journalists and a non-profit organization that enjoys the patronage of Mr Karunanidhi's daughter, Kanimozhi, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP. Through this, the DMK has said that its relationship with the Congress - with whose support it is in power in Tamil Nadu - remains strong. The DMK also defended Mr Raja at a series of public rallies in December.
Last night, Mr Karunanidhi skipped both the airport and a scheduled one-on-one meeting, opting instead to attend a poetry function. This morning, he was unruffled about that missed appointment.
"(The relationship) It is as strong as the ties between you (media) and me," he told reporters after meeting Dr Singh.
Mr Karunanidhi's perceived snub to the PM is being reported as payback for the last-minute glitch that the DMK has seen, courtesy the union government, for its pet project - the Adyar Eco Park. The Environment ministry in Delhi has delayed its approval for the park. The PM was meant to inaugurate the eco park this morning, but last week, his office conveyed this would not be possible.
Source: NDTV
Dr Manmohan Singh was in Chennai to inaugurate the 98th Science Congress this morning. Before that, he did meet Mr Karunanidhi at the city's Raj Bhawan. This was their first meeting since DMK leader A Raja was forced to resign as Telecom Minister in November because of massive corruption charges in the 2G spectrum scam.
Mr Raja is seen to be a favourite of the DMK leader. Raids in connection with the 2G scam have included Mr Raja's homes and offices, as well as the offices of some close associates of the DMK in Chennai, including senior journalists and a non-profit organization that enjoys the patronage of Mr Karunanidhi's daughter, Kanimozhi, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP. Through this, the DMK has said that its relationship with the Congress - with whose support it is in power in Tamil Nadu - remains strong. The DMK also defended Mr Raja at a series of public rallies in December.
Last night, Mr Karunanidhi skipped both the airport and a scheduled one-on-one meeting, opting instead to attend a poetry function. This morning, he was unruffled about that missed appointment.
"(The relationship) It is as strong as the ties between you (media) and me," he told reporters after meeting Dr Singh.
Mr Karunanidhi's perceived snub to the PM is being reported as payback for the last-minute glitch that the DMK has seen, courtesy the union government, for its pet project - the Adyar Eco Park. The Environment ministry in Delhi has delayed its approval for the park. The PM was meant to inaugurate the eco park this morning, but last week, his office conveyed this would not be possible.
Source: NDTV
Thursday, December 23, 2010
2G probe: A Raja reaches CBI office for questioning
Former Telecom Minister A Raja will on Friday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation officials for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum to certain telecom firms.
CBI officials have sent a notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code to Raja to appear before it for questioning. Raja was forced to resign last month in the wake of a controversy over his role in the spectrum allocation that has resulted in an estimated loss of at least Rs 22,000 crore to the exchequer.
Raja is likely to be questioned on the issue of preponing dates for allocation of spectrum and on the role of his relatives in some of the companies which allegedly acted as a front for certain telecom firms which got spectrum between September 2007 and January 2008.
Raja got the telecom portfolio on May 18, 2007 and again got re-elected as a Member of the 15the Lok Sabha and continued as Telecom Minister from May 31, 2009 till November 14, this year before tendering his resignation.
Raja, who flew to Delhi on Wednesday night from Chennai, had told reporters that he would cooperate with CBI in the probe. "I will appear before the CBI on December 24 at 10 am. I will appear for interrogation," he had said.
The Supreme Court has asked CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to submit status reports on their investigations into the 2G scam to it by February 10, when the case will come up for hearing.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its report to Parliament had said that the allocation of 2G spectrum at undervalued prices had resulted in the loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.
The CBI in its FIR had mentioned the loss as Rs 22,000 crore based on the findings of Central Vigilance Commission which had referred the case to it. Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia was earlier this week quizzed by the CBI at her South Delhi farmhouse.
CBI has also questioned former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chief Pradip Baijal, a 1966 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, in connection with the case. The premises of Raja, Baijal and Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month.
Source: Rediff.com
CBI officials have sent a notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code to Raja to appear before it for questioning. Raja was forced to resign last month in the wake of a controversy over his role in the spectrum allocation that has resulted in an estimated loss of at least Rs 22,000 crore to the exchequer.
Raja is likely to be questioned on the issue of preponing dates for allocation of spectrum and on the role of his relatives in some of the companies which allegedly acted as a front for certain telecom firms which got spectrum between September 2007 and January 2008.
Raja got the telecom portfolio on May 18, 2007 and again got re-elected as a Member of the 15the Lok Sabha and continued as Telecom Minister from May 31, 2009 till November 14, this year before tendering his resignation.
Raja, who flew to Delhi on Wednesday night from Chennai, had told reporters that he would cooperate with CBI in the probe. "I will appear before the CBI on December 24 at 10 am. I will appear for interrogation," he had said.
The Supreme Court has asked CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to submit status reports on their investigations into the 2G scam to it by February 10, when the case will come up for hearing.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its report to Parliament had said that the allocation of 2G spectrum at undervalued prices had resulted in the loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.
The CBI in its FIR had mentioned the loss as Rs 22,000 crore based on the findings of Central Vigilance Commission which had referred the case to it. Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia was earlier this week quizzed by the CBI at her South Delhi farmhouse.
CBI has also questioned former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India chief Pradip Baijal, a 1966 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, in connection with the case. The premises of Raja, Baijal and Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month.
Source: Rediff.com
Thursday, December 16, 2010
2G scam: Raids won't affect Congress alliance, says Kanimozhi
The DMK today stressed that the raids against some of its closest associates in connection with the 2G scam will not affect its alliance with the Congress. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress supports the DMK government; at the Centre, the DMK provides crucial 16 MPs to the UPA government.
"This (the raids) is a process to show we are clean and DMK is very open to it," said party MP Kanimozhi, whose father, M Karunanidhi, is the chief of the DMK.
On Wednesday, the CBI raided close to 30 places in Tamil Nadu , taking its investigation into the 2G spectrum to the doorstep of the DMK. Among those whose homes and offices were raided was an NGO which enjoys the patronage of Kanimozhi. A Tamil journalist, Kamaraj, who works with a pro-DMK paper named Nakkeeran, was also targeted. The raids extended to various relatives of A Raja, the DMK leader who resigned as Telecom Minister last month after he was indicted for the 2G scam in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The CBI says that Wednesday's raids were based on leads found during raids at Raja's own homes in Delhi and Tamil Nadu last week.
After the raids, the Congress said that it believed its alliance with the DMK would withstand the pressure of the 2G inquiry that's now circling the DMK's senior-most rung.
We trust our allies, and they trust us, said Janaradhan Dwivedi, Congress General Secretary. But privately, sources say the relationship is fragile and will need to be handled with care.
Raja's resignation as Telecom Minister came after weeks of stubborn resistance even as the CAG report placed him at the centre of the 2G scam, blaming him for costing the government upto Rs. 176 lakh crore in 2008. The charges were grave - that Raja had undervalued spectrum, avoided a public auction, and given 2G licenses to companies who lied or misrepresented information in their applications. The DMK initially resisted pressure from the Congress to keep Raja in office, even as he was faulted in a series of hearings in the Supreme Court.
What may give the Congress some breathing space is that the DMK in some ways is currently the more needy partner. Jayalalithaa has already said that if the DMK splits with the Congress, her AIADMK will be happy to step in. With elections in Tamil Nadu just months away, that's an unhappy picture for the DMK.
Moreover, as the CBI inquiry progresses, the DMK would rather have a friendly government at the Centre than a hostile one.
For NDTV Updates
"This (the raids) is a process to show we are clean and DMK is very open to it," said party MP Kanimozhi, whose father, M Karunanidhi, is the chief of the DMK.
On Wednesday, the CBI raided close to 30 places in Tamil Nadu , taking its investigation into the 2G spectrum to the doorstep of the DMK. Among those whose homes and offices were raided was an NGO which enjoys the patronage of Kanimozhi. A Tamil journalist, Kamaraj, who works with a pro-DMK paper named Nakkeeran, was also targeted. The raids extended to various relatives of A Raja, the DMK leader who resigned as Telecom Minister last month after he was indicted for the 2G scam in a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The CBI says that Wednesday's raids were based on leads found during raids at Raja's own homes in Delhi and Tamil Nadu last week.
After the raids, the Congress said that it believed its alliance with the DMK would withstand the pressure of the 2G inquiry that's now circling the DMK's senior-most rung.
We trust our allies, and they trust us, said Janaradhan Dwivedi, Congress General Secretary. But privately, sources say the relationship is fragile and will need to be handled with care.
Raja's resignation as Telecom Minister came after weeks of stubborn resistance even as the CAG report placed him at the centre of the 2G scam, blaming him for costing the government upto Rs. 176 lakh crore in 2008. The charges were grave - that Raja had undervalued spectrum, avoided a public auction, and given 2G licenses to companies who lied or misrepresented information in their applications. The DMK initially resisted pressure from the Congress to keep Raja in office, even as he was faulted in a series of hearings in the Supreme Court.
What may give the Congress some breathing space is that the DMK in some ways is currently the more needy partner. Jayalalithaa has already said that if the DMK splits with the Congress, her AIADMK will be happy to step in. With elections in Tamil Nadu just months away, that's an unhappy picture for the DMK.
Moreover, as the CBI inquiry progresses, the DMK would rather have a friendly government at the Centre than a hostile one.
For NDTV Updates
Saturday, December 11, 2010
2G spectrum scam: A Raja meets Karunanidhi
Following the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) raids at his residences on Wednesday, Former Telecom Minister A Raja is meeting the DMK party chief M Karaunanidhi at his residence in Chennai today.
Earlier, A Raja had said he will cooperate with the CBI to prove his innocence in the wake of the probe agency conducting searches at the DMK leader and his aides' residences in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
"It is a scrutiny. I will fully cooperate with the agency (CBI). Whatever be the procedure, I have to comply with it," said Raja.
On CBI raids at his residence as well as his aides in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, Raja said, "No one is above scrutiny. I am ready for any procedure. If anything is needed by CBI, I will cooperate. That is all I want to say."
On December 8, the CBI had conducted searches at Raja and his aides' residences in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, including the former union minister's native Perambalur district.
They also questioned Raja's key aide Sadiq Basha, besides conducting raids at the residences of the DMK leader's brother and sister at Tiruchirapalli and other relatives in Chennai.
The raids came a day after Raja's name surfaced in connection with an alleged attempt to influence a Madras High Court Judge in a criminal case.
The court had suspended the Chairman of Tamil Nadu Bar Council R K Chandramohan for allegedly attempting to influence the judge by taking Raja's name last year, when he was Union Minister.
Raja had recently quit as Telecom Minister after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) quantified the losses caused in allocation of 2G spectrum at throwaway prices at around Rs. 1.76 lakh crore.
BJP, Left and other Opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue and stalling proceedings in the Parliament.
For NDTV Updates,
Earlier, A Raja had said he will cooperate with the CBI to prove his innocence in the wake of the probe agency conducting searches at the DMK leader and his aides' residences in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
"It is a scrutiny. I will fully cooperate with the agency (CBI). Whatever be the procedure, I have to comply with it," said Raja.
On CBI raids at his residence as well as his aides in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, Raja said, "No one is above scrutiny. I am ready for any procedure. If anything is needed by CBI, I will cooperate. That is all I want to say."
On December 8, the CBI had conducted searches at Raja and his aides' residences in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, including the former union minister's native Perambalur district.
They also questioned Raja's key aide Sadiq Basha, besides conducting raids at the residences of the DMK leader's brother and sister at Tiruchirapalli and other relatives in Chennai.
The raids came a day after Raja's name surfaced in connection with an alleged attempt to influence a Madras High Court Judge in a criminal case.
The court had suspended the Chairman of Tamil Nadu Bar Council R K Chandramohan for allegedly attempting to influence the judge by taking Raja's name last year, when he was Union Minister.
Raja had recently quit as Telecom Minister after the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) quantified the losses caused in allocation of 2G spectrum at throwaway prices at around Rs. 1.76 lakh crore.
BJP, Left and other Opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the issue and stalling proceedings in the Parliament.
For NDTV Updates,
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