A delegation of <keyword id="19896558" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tamil-Nadu" source="keywords">Tamil Nadu</keyword> <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> leaders led by state party president K Annamalai on Monday called on Governor R N Ravi at Raj Bhavan in connection with the <keyword id="20233532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kallakurichi" source="keywords">Kallakurichi</keyword> hooch tragedy, which has claimed 57 lives so far. Meanwhile, leaders of the <keyword id="20020494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AIADMK" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AIADMK" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AIADMK">AIADMK</keyword> party held a protest in the Kallakurichi district against the DMK-led state government over the same. The protest was headed by Tamil Nadu Opposition Party leader and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. It was held opposite the VAS Marriage Hall, Salem Main Road, Kallakurichi District, in Tamil Nadu. The number of people who died in Tamil Nadu after consuming <keyword id="20359588" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="illicit-liquor" source="keywords">illicit liquor</keyword> has risen to 57, according to updated information released by the district administration on Monday. A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various Government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor. A total of 110 people are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital. Twelve people are admitted at Puducherry 20 people are undergoing treatment at Salem and four in Viluppuram government hospitals. A total of seven people, including five men and two women, who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor have been discharged, according to the Kallakurichi District Magistrate. So far, 32 people have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, and 18 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem. Four people have died at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. Earlier on Friday, Tamil Nadu <keyword id="21728762" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CM-MK-Stalin" source="keywords">CM MK Stalin</keyword> said the state government will take care of the entire education and hostel expenses of children who have lost either one or both of their parents in the Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy. The government will provide Rs 5,000 in monthly assistance until the age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents, Stalin said. After the minors turn 18, the amount can be withdrawn with interest, the chief minister said. Similarly, Rs 3 lakh will be deposited as a fixed deposit for children who have lost one parent. Priority will be given to them in all government welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said.

Kallakurichi hooch deaths: Tamil Nadu BJP delegation meets Governor Ravi

Eight people have lost their lives while multiple roads and subways are closed due to waterlogging in the wake of the Severe Cyclonic Storm '<keyword id="19654973" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="michaung" source="Orion">Michaung</keyword>', which is expected to make landfall on the southern coast of <keyword id="37102" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="andhra-pradesh" source="Orion">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday evening. "Traffic has been closed on Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road due to the release of water from the Puzhal Lake," police said on Tuesday. The police further informed that 8 deaths have been reported so far in the state. "A dead body of an unidentified man aged about 70 years who was found dead at the platform near the Vaidyanathan flyover, Padmanaban (M/50), Senthurai, Natluun, Dindigul district was electrocuted and died at loan square road, Murugan (M/35), died by fallen tree on himself at Besant Nagar, a dead body of an unidentified woman aged about 60 years was found dead at Foreshore Estate Bus Depot, Ganesan (M/70 years) of Thuraipakkam was electrocuted while walking on the road near his house," <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword> police said. "Dharath (M/53 years) died due to a compound wall collapse at Ellaiamman Boyd Street, Sehlim (M/50), was found dead in the rainwater inside the School campus, Mirajul Islam (M/19) of Assam State, who stayed at Kotturpuram Corporation School relief Centre died due to epilepsy today," the police added. The police also added that many families including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens were rescued from different areas who were stuck due to wreak havoc of <keyword id="6386783" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="cyclone" source="Orion">Cyclone</keyword> Michaung. Around 17 subways including the Ganesapuram Subway, Gengureddy Subway, Sembium (Perambur), Villivakkam and Duraisamy Subway are closed due to water logging, the police informed further. "Fallen trees have been removed at 58 places in the GCP limit," police said. Tamil Nadu CM MK <keyword id="60930" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="stalin" source="Orion">Stalin</keyword> on Tuesday morning inspected the Cyclone affected areas in the state. The Tamil Nadu CM inspected the rain relief camp set up in Kannapar Thital, Chennai. There are 162 relief centres in which 43 are operated accommodating 2477 Chennai residents. There are 20 kitchens operational providing food to these relief centres. The state government has asked the authorities about the availability of ready-made items including rice-dals-vegetables and their quality to arrange food for those staying in the relief camps. Earlier CM Stalin said " We have reduced/prevented loss of life to a great extent due to systematic improvements and comprehensive structural preparations. Rescue and relief work is going on at a wartime pace." 5000 workers from other districts are moved to Chennai for the mitigation works. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and other top officials are monitoring operations at the Integrated Command and Control Center. For the Chennai corporation the focus is on prioritizing rescue operations, providing food to individuals relocated to relief centers and clearing roads. The bridge in the Nerkundram area is surrounded by water overflowing from the Koovam River. Due to release of water from the Chembarambakkam Lake Madha engineering college near Chembarambakkam was partially submerged. Water reached nearly neck level and people struggled to walk. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said "Severe Cyclonic Storm "MICHAUNG" over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts moved northwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, the 5th December 2023 over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh coast near Latitude 14.9°N and Longitude 80.2°E, about 20 km east of Kavali, 50 km north-northeast of Nellore, 200 km north of Chennai, 110 km south-southwest of Bapatla and 170km south-southwest of Machilipatnam." It further said that Cyclone 'Michaung' is likely to cross south Andhra Pradesh during the forenoon of December 5 with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 Kmph. "As the system is nearly moving northwards close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lie overland. The system is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph," the IMD added. Chennai Airfield remains closed for arrival and departure operations till 0900 hrs IST tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions. Public life was severely affected in Chennai as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas, were inundated due to persistent heavy rainfall. (ANI)

Cyclone Michaung: 8 people dead, subways, roads closed in Tamil Nadu, CM Stalin inspects relief camps in Chennai

<ul><li>Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday reiterated his demand that medical and engineering entrance exams <keyword id="6361994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="NEET">NEET</keyword> and <keyword id="6392660" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="JEE">JEE</keyword> be postponed and the Central government work on alternative methods for selecting students. </li><li>He said the Union Home Minister tested positive for coronavirus despite staying in a very safe environment, and that many other leaders including Delhi Health Minister have also contracted the contagious disease. </li></ul> Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday reiterated his demand that medical and engineering entrance exams NEET and JEE be postponed and the Central government work on alternative methods for selecting students. "They (Centre) are saying protocols will be followed. Following the same protocols that the Centre wants 28 lakh students to follow, lakhs of Indians have tested positive," Sisodia told reporters. He said the Union Home Minister tested positive for coronavirus despite staying in a very safe environment, and that many other leaders including Delhi Health Minister have also contracted the contagious disease. "So many top leaders have got infected with COVID-19 despite taking all precautions. So, how can we take the risk of sending 28 lakh students to exam centre and be assured that they will not be infected," Sisodia asked. He said the Central government should immediately postpone the exams and work on "alternative methods" of admission. "I appeal to the government to not be adamant on admission only through these exams. We are not at all saying that the year be declared as a zero academic year. We are not in favour of admitting students just like that as we will need quality doctors and engineers but banking upon only a three hour exam and expecting it to work like a magic wand in identifying talent, is a very conservative thought," he added. The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will be conducted in September as scheduled, the Ministry of Education officials had said on Tuesday, amid a growing chorus for postponing the crucial tests in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, Swedish teen climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg also threw her weight behind postponing the exams in view of the pandemic. "It's deeply unfair that students of India are asked to sit national exams during the Covid-19 pandemic and while millions have also been impacted by the extreme floods. I stand with their call to #PostponeJEE_NEETinCOVID," she said in a tweet. Several opposition leaders in India including Congress' Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik and DMK President MK Stalin have demanded the exams be postponed. Sisodia had on Saturday also appealed the Centre to postpone or cancel the exams. The Supreme Court had last week dismissed a plea seeking postponement of the two exams amid a spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases, saying a "precious" academic year of students "cannot be wasted" and life has to go on. While a total of 9.53 lakh candidates have registered for JEE-Mains, 15.97 lakh students have registered for NEET. Increasing the number of examination centres, alternate seating plan, fewer candidates per room and staggered entry and exit are among the steps the National Testing Agency will take for safely conducting NEET and JEE in September. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/oxford-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-phase-ii-trials-will-begin-in-india-today/articleshow/77757085.cms">Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine: Phase II trials will begin in India today</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/india-military-options-against-china-explained-by-experts/articleshow/77743778.cms">Experts explain India’s 'military options' against China</a>

NEET and JEE exams can expose 28 lakh students to COVID-19, says Delhi CM Manish Sisodia

Bapatla (<keyword id="37102" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="andhra-pradesh" source="Orion">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>) [India], December 5 (ANI): The severe cyclonic storm 'Michaung' is likely to make landfall today on the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh between Nellore and Machilipatnam, and moderate rainfall with gusty winds is being experienced in Bapatla district. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said "Severe Cyclonic Storm "MICHAUNG" over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts moved northwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of today, the 5th December 2023 over Westcentral Bay of Bengal off south Andhra Pradesh coast near Latitude14.9°N and Longitude 80.2°E, about 20 km east of Kavali, 50 km north-northeast of Nellore, 200 km north of Chennai, 110 km south-southwest of Bapatla and 170km south-southwest of Machilipatnam." It further said that <keyword id="19716567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cyclone-michaung" source="Orion">Cyclone 'Michaung'</keyword> is likely to cross south Andhra Pradesh during the forenoon of December 5 with a maximum wind speed of 90-100 Kmph. "As the system is nearly moving northwards close to the coast, some parts of the wall cloud region lie overland. The system is likely to move nearly northwards parallel and close to the south Andhra Pradesh coast and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam, close to Bapatla during the forenoon of 5th December as a Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph," the IMD added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke on Monday to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry over cyclone 'Michaung' and assured all possible support from the Central government. In separate telephonic conversations with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, the Home Minister took stock of the situation in these states about relief and rescue measures as well as other steps to ensure no loss of lives and minimise the damage from the impending cyclone. In a post on 'X', Shah said: "Had a discussion with the Andhra Pradesh CM Shri @ysjagan Ji about the preparations concerning the potential landfall of Cyclone Michaung. Saving the lives of citizens has been our priority. The central govt is braced to provide all the necessary assistance to Andhra Pradesh. NDRF is already deployed and more teams are on standby to mobilize as needed." The Indian Railways has geared up its entire machinery in a big way to ensure and manage smooth and safe railway operations in the areas likely to be affected by the cyclonic storm 'Michaung'. The Indian Railways, as part of its preparedness for cyclone-related disaster management, has set up an emergency control cell at the divisional/HQ level with officers from operating, commercial, engineering, electrical, signal/telecommunications, security, etc. branches in each shift to monitor around the clock and take necessary action in connection with train operations. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Monday, made enquiries on the damage wrought by the heavy showers amid the approaching cyclone while also taking stock of the ongoing relief and rescue operations and the state's preparedness to deal with the immediate aftermath of the storm. Several trees lay uprooted as strong winds swept the state and the daily lives of locals were impacted as they had to grapple with extensive waterlogging and allied woes in the southern state. Public life was severely affected in Chennai as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas, were inundated due to persistent heavy rainfall. Chennai's popular Marina Beach was flooded in the wake of the downpours while roads linking Mount Road to Marina Beach were blocked due to severe waterlogging. (ANI)

Rain, gusty winds as Cyclone 'Michaung' to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today

The combined opposition <keyword id="3961413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india-alliance" source="Orion">INDIA alliance</keyword> will hold its fourth meeting in Delhi today. Alliance leaders like Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, West Bengal CM <keyword id="43868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mamata-banerjee" source="Orion">Mamata Banerjee</keyword>, Bihar CM <keyword id="6358190" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nitish-kumar" source="Orion">Nitish Kumar</keyword> and Samajwadi Pary chief <keyword id="6355031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="akhilesh-yadav" source="Orion">Akhilesh Yadav</keyword> have arrived in the capital for the critical meeting. Ahead of the meeting there is a question mark on who will lead the alliance should they decide on contesting the 2024 election as a unified force. In its editorial Saamna the mouthpiece of UBT Sena in Maharashtra said " Who is the face of the INDIA alliance in 2024? Who is the one infront of Narendra Modi? These questions will have to be answered. The 'India' alliance needs a coordinator, needs a face. The Congress should understand that 'a hundred cooks spoil the taste of food'. If the Congress party has to defeat BJP then it will have to discuss these two issues with its friends and take a decision." During the meeting, <keyword id="549985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="seat-sharing" source="Orion">seat-sharing</keyword> discussions are likely to be on the agendas of various parties. Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Atishi said, "In the meeting today important points like like seat-sharing and others will be discussed. AAP and Arvind Kejriwal will make every possible effort to make INDIA alliance a success." Manoj Pandey, spokesperson of ruling government in Jharkhand led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) told that Chief Minister Hemant Soren will not be attending the meeting. "The ongoing Assembly session is an important one and the CM (Hemant Soren) must be present for it. The party has appointed a high-level representative panel, including 2 MPs who will attend the meeting and keep the party's stand before the alliance." In a sarcastic post on its official social media account, the BJP wrote, "What will happen in the INDI Alliance meeting today? Watch this trailer." Lashing out at the Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, the BJP further wrote in its post, "Watch the dark exploits of the arrogant Alliance in episode 3, How Arvind Kejriwal made the country's capital a gas chamber and how the people of Delhi are paying the price for Kejriwal's false promises." The party took pot shots at the Opposition by sharing a clip of a Hindi movie and a video featuring key leaders of the ruling AAP. Seat sharing for the Lok Sabha polls, which are just a few months away, is likely to be at the top of the agenda for the next INDIA bloc meeting and will be crucial for Congress, particularly as the party lost the recent Assembly elections in the Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. During the recently held State Assembly elections, the Congress and Samajwadi Party, the primary opposition party in Uttar Pradesh, could not reach an agreement on seat sharing and fought the elections separately. The first meeting of the joint opposition convened in Patna on June 23 and the second meeting was held in Bengaluru on July 17-18. The third meeting happened in Mumbai on August 31-September 1. INDIA or 'Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance' is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In the Mumbai meeting, the opposition parties adopted resolutions to collectively contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections while announcing that seat-sharing arrangements would be finalized as soon as possible through a spirit of give-and-take. The theme chosen by the INDIA bloc for the elections is "Judega Bharat, Jeetega India" (India will unite, India will win) to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. (ANI)

Opposition's INDIA bloc meeting today to discuss seat sharing

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 5 (ANI): The Chennai Meteorological Centre forecast moderate rainfall, light thunderstorms and lightning in ten districts of Tamil Nadu for Tuesday morning. "Light thunderstorm and lightning with moderate rain are very likely over Chennai, Tiruvallur, <keyword id="747320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chengalpattu" source="Orion">Chengalpattu</keyword>, <keyword id="6356822" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kancheepuram" source="Orion">Kancheepuram</keyword>, <keyword id="257016" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ranipet" source="Orion">Ranipet</keyword> and <keyword id="19716594" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vellore-districts" source="Orion">Vellore districts</keyword> of Tamil Nadu. It is also very likely over isolated places in Tirupattur, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Kanyakumari districts of Tamil Nadu," the Regional Centre stated in a release. Cyclone Michaung, which lay centred over the west coast of the Bay of Bengal, off south Andhra Pradesh and adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts, is likely to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam on Tuesday morning in the form of a severe cyclonic storm, the weather department informed. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin made inquiries on Monday on the damage wrought by the heavy showers amid the approaching cyclone while also taking stock of the ongoing relief and rescue operations and the state's preparedness to deal with the immediate aftermath of the storm. The CM also inquired about the food and other facilities provided to civilians sheltered in relief camps during a phone call to state ministers Sekar Babu, KN Nehru, and EV Velu and DMK MLAs Dr Ezhilan, Karunanidhi, E Parandaman and S Arvind Ramesh. The progress of the cyclone is being tracked closely and its potential impact assessed, police said on Monday, adding that the approaching storm has already claimed five lives and injured one in separate incidents across Chennai. Several trees lay uprooted as strong winds swept the state and the daily lives of locals were impacted as they had to grapple with extensive waterlogging and allied woes in the southern state. The IMD earlier warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday in north-coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Light to moderate rainfall at most places and heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places, with extremely heavy falls at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, is expected on December 4 and 5, the agency informed earlier. Public life was severely affected in Chennai as heavy rains lashed several parts of the city. Several areas, including Wallajah Road, Mount Road, Anna Salai, Chepauk, outside Omandurar government multispecialty hospital and other low-lying areas, were inundated due to persistent heavy rainfall. Chennai's popular Marina Beach was flooded in the wake of the downpours, while roads linking Mount Road to Marina Beach were blocked due to severe waterlogging. The state government advised people to take precautionary measures as the IMD issued a red alert for the state, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chennai and neighbouring areas. Amid the approaching cyclonic storm Michaung, the Tamil Nadu government declared a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts on Tuesday. (ANI)

Chennai MeT predicts moderate rainfall, thunderstorms in 10 districts of Tamil Nadu

<ul><li>PM Modi urged all the MPs to follow parliamentary procedures saying the session is important as the nation is going to elect a new President and Vice-President.</li><li>The counting of votes will be done on July 21 and the winner will take an oath on July 25.</li><li>The elections are expected to be in favour of Murmu as she may be able to garner 60% of the votes.</li></ul>Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday said he is confident that NDA's Presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu will win the elections with a huge margin. "Murmu is an inspirational personality and I am sure that she will be winning the elections with a huge margin as she will be getting more votes than expected, an official statement quoting Khattar said. The Chief Minister said this while interacting with the media after casting his vote for the post of President in the Assembly here. Till 12.30 pm, 48 votes were cast in the Assembly. "The NDA and the UPA candidates have their own voting calculation, I am completely sure that NDA candidate Draupadi Murmu will win the election by a huge margin and will take oath on July 25," said Khattar. He said Murmu would set an example and be a source of great inspiration among other women. "Murmu is going to become the second woman President of India, while she will be the first woman from the tribal society to be elected to the post of President." Responding to a question, the Chief Minister said whether it's about selecting a presidential or vice-presidential candidate, the NDA has always preferred choosing good and educated candidates. "The NDA candidate for the post of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar hails from Rajasthan and has been a lawyer by profession. The NDA has certainly given a good message by fielding him for the post of the Vice-President," added Khattar. In the 90-member assembly, 89 MLAs cast their vote in the Assembly complex, while Congress MLA Kuldeep Bishnoi, who had cross-voted in last month's Rajya Sabha polls, cast his vote in the Parliament House. In the Haryana Assembly, the vote value of each of the MLA is 112, which pegs the cumulative value at 10,080. Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged all the MPs to follow parliamentary procedures saying the session is important as the nation is going to elect a new President and Vice-President. "Elections for the office of President and Vice-President are being held in this session. Voting (for the Presidential election) is taking place today. During this session, the new President and Vice-President will begin guiding the nation," he said. Prime Minister Modi said that this is the period of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' and special significance of the Independence day for the coming 25 years - when the nation would celebrate the hundred year of independence. The government has listed 32 bills to be passed in this session and in which 24 are new. The opposition has objected to it citing time constraint. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the bills will not be passed in a hurry and adequate time will be given for debate. The Congress, this morning, moved adjournment motion in Lok Sabha on LPG price hike and suspension of business notice in Rajya Sabha on Agnipath scheme. A total of 24 new bills will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session, including Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2022. "The Bill seeks to replace the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 by decriminalisation of the existing Act, keeping the procedures of the extant Act simple from the view point of medium/small publishers and uphold the values of Press Freedom". It may see stiff opposition as it is said that this bill is being brought to control the small publishers and digital media. The Opposition has already alleged that the government is trying to stifle the voice of dissent in the country. Another important bill is Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to provide a regulatory framework for Carbon Trading in India, to encourage penetration of renewables in energy mix, and effective implementation and enforcement of the Energy Conservation Act. The polling for the next president began at 10 a.m on July 18, at the Parliament House and the state legislative assemblies. And around 4,800 member of parliament and legislative assemblies have started casting their votes to elect the 15th President of India. PM Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, UP CM Yogi Adityanath have already casted their votes. As many as 162 out of 175 MLAs in Andhra Pradesh exercised their franchise in the Presidential election till 1.30 pm here on Monday. Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was the first to cast his vote when voting began at 10 am.Speaker Tammineni Sitarama, ministers and MLAs followed the Chief Minister in exercising their franchise. Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu led his Telugu Desam Party legislators in voting at 12 noon in the polling booth in the Assembly Committee Hall.Two Telugu Desam MLAs, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, were among the notable absentees as they were said to be on a foreign visit. Andhra Pradesh is probably the only state where the ruling and the opposition parties are supporting the NDA's presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.This is also the first time that the rival parties are on one side in a presidential election.The YSRC has 31 MPs (nine in Rajya Sabha and 22 in Lok Sabha) and 151 MLAs in the state Assembly. The TDP has one member in Rajya Sabha, three members in Lok Sabha besides 23 MLAs (including three rebels).The BJP has one MP in Rajya Sabha. Though technically the Jana Sena has one MLA, he has been sailing with the YSRC since his election in 2019. The Congress has no presence in AP.As such, all votes from AP are in favour of Murmu. In the 2017 presidential election, the Congress had four Rajya Sabha members who supported the then opposition candidate. As the TDP was then part of the NDA, it voted for the latter's nominee, along with the alliance partner BJP. The YSRC, then in opposition, also voted for the NDA candidate. However, the counting of votes will be done on July 21 and the winner will take an oath on July 25. BJP-elected Droupadi Murmu is in a contest against former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha in the upcoming polls. The elections are expected to be in favour of Murmu as she may be able to garner<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/presidential-election-live-updates-droupadi-murmu-nda-yashwant-sinha-8035062/"> 60% of the votes</a> with the support of BJD, YSRCP, BSP, AIADMK, TDP, JD(S), Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and JMM, National Democratic Alliance (NDA). If Murmu wins the election, she may not only become the first tribal woman president of India but also the second woman president in the country’s history after Pratibha Patil who served as president from 2007-2012. The 64-year-old Murmu hails from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district and has been a BJP legislator twice in the Naveen Patnaik cabinet. She has experience in handling diverse ministries like transport, commerce, fisheries and animal husbandry in the Odisha government. Murmu started her political career as a councilor and later became the vice-chairperson of the Rairangpur National Advisory Council or NAC. In 2013, she became a national executive member of the party's Scheduled Tribe Morcha in Odisha. In 2007, the Odisha Legislative Assembly honoured her with its Best MLA of the year award. Born into a tribal family she had struggled with poverty in one of the state’s most underdeveloped districts. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Ramadevi Women’s college in Bhubaneswar. (With inputs from IANS) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/online-interior-design-startup-modsy-shuts-down-abruptly-while-customers-still-await-refunds/articleshow/92947481.cms">Online interior design startup Modsy shuts down abruptly while customers still await refunds</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/ashish-chouhan-re-starts-his-second-innings-at-nse-as-its-md-and-ceo/articleshow/92944486.cms">Ashish Chouhan re-starts his second innings at NSE, as its MD and CEO</a>

Murmu vs Sinha: Voting begins to elect the next President of India

<ul><li>Kejriwal to take oath on Feb 16 at Ramleela Maidan. </li><li><keyword id="6354681" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="manish-sisodia">Manish Sisodia</keyword>, Atishi, Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bharadwaj are the potential candidates for the cabinet.</li></ul><keyword id="260213" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arvind-Kejriwal">Arvind Kejriwal</keyword> is all set to take oath as the chief minister on February 16 at Ramleela Maidan in Delhi. Yesterday, the <keyword id="6354944" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="aam-aadmi-party">Aam Aadmi Party</keyword> party won 62 of the total 70 assembly seats, bringing the 7 year old party to power for the third time. The party is planning to make it a grand event and has extended an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/183686136279276/?notif_t=event_calendar_create&amp;notif_id=1581486789050990">invitation</a> via social media to the people of Delhi. The post was made from an official Facebook handle of Aam Aadmi Party Gurgaon with an invitation that said “Oath Ceremony Of CM Arvind Kejriwal”. The event will be held at Ramleela Maidan at 11 am. This time Kejriwal will miss the Valentines Day buzz like his last swearing-in ceremony. However, he already said the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/arvind-kejriwals-first-speech-after-winning-a-second-term-as-delhi-chief-minister/articleshow/74081047.cms">three</a> magic words to Delhi-ites after his spectacular win. The internet went crazy in 2015 when Arvind Kejriwal took oath as a CM on Valentine’s day. He later after a year celebrating his anniversary tweeted: “Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep and everlasting.” <div type="twitter" handle="ArvindKejriwal" handlename="Arvind Kejriwal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/945853608389574656/REH_LpUJ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1360" retweetcount="1238" status="Last year, on this day, Delhi fell in love with AAP. This bonding is deep n everlasting." createdat="1455413769000" id="698682104440184833"></div>

 According to the UT establishment procedure, the Lieutenant governor (LG) will write to the President via Home Ministry explaining that AAP has won the majority in Delhi Election 2020 and is set to form a government. Later, the President will issue an appointing letter to the AAP leader as a CM of Delhi. However, in states the governor performs all the responsibilities of swearing and appointing the CM. After the appointment of the CM, a cabinet is formed with seven ministers, including the CM. After the CM finalises the list, the LG administers the oath of office and CM’s cabinet. The sixth legislative assembly of Delhi was dissolved on Tuesday by LG. The previous cabinet included Patparganj MLA Manish Sisodia who was also the deputy CM; Satyendar Jain of Shakur Basti; Imran Hussain of Ballimaran; Kailash Gahlot of Seemapuri; Rajendra Pal Gautam of Babarpur; and Gopal Rai. It would be interesting to watch if Kejriwal would retain the old faces in the office or will bring in a new colour in Delhi cabinet. Manish Sisodia, Atishi, Raghav Chadha and Saurabh Bharadwaj are some of the potential candidates to make it to the cabinet. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/economic-revival-in-the-times-of-coronavirus-can-be-slow-warns-governments-chief-economic-advisor/articleshow/74093707.cms?src=hp_latest">Economic revival in the times of Coronavirus can be slow, warns government’s chief economic advisor</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/elections/news/arvind-kejriwals-in-has-lessons-for-mamata-banerjee-mk-stalin-and-lalu-prasad-yadav/articleshow/74082357.cms?src=hp_latest">Kejriwal's spectacular win has five lessons for Rajinikanth, Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, and Lalu Yadav</a>

Arvind Kejriwal sends a Facebook invite to all of Delhi to attend his swearing-in ceremony

<ul><li>The Tamil Nadu government has uncovered a scam amounting to over ₹110 crore in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme.</li><li>Under the PM-Kisan scheme, the central government offers small farmers ₹ 6,000 per year directly into the bank accounts of farmers in three equal instalments.</li><li>Here’s a list of who all are not eligible for PM-Kisan scheme</li></ul>The Tamil Nadu government has uncovered a scam amounting to over ₹110 crore in the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme. In some Tamil Nadu districts, ineligible people availed the cash assistance using false information, with the help of government officials and local-level Tamil politicians. The scam first gained attention when the District Collector ordered a probe at Cuddalore district when more than 100 non-farmers received the PM-Kisan aid. According to <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-kisan-norms-eased-for-covid-tn-probes-rs-110-crore-fraud-18-held-6588643/">reports</a>, many of the beneficiaries who were registered for the scheme were unaware of the scam. The scammers posed as officials and sought their details, saying that the beneficiaries could receive “corona cash” from the government. The scammers then used the login details of agriculture department officials to upload details of eligible farmers in the portal. And, in return, they collected around ₹6000 from each ineligible beneficiary to help them avail the scheme. DMK president, MK Stalin alleged that the scam runs into several crores of rupees. Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami's home district, Salem alone, has about 10,700 fake farmers that have taken about ₹4 crore <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/action-being-taken-against-those-involved-in-pm-kisan-scheme-scam-tn-cm-120090800363_1.html">under the PM Kisan scheme</a>. He added that ₹4.20 crore had been recovered from fake farmers in Cuddalore district and Villupuram district. The TN government said the case is being probed by the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID), and 16 persons have been arrested so far. The TN Chief Minister has promised action against those who are involved in the scam. The state Agriculture Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi said the government has already procured ₹32 crore till date from the accounts of the accused. What is the PM-Kisan scheme? Under the PM-Kisan scheme, the central government offers small farmers ₹ 6,000 per year directly into the bank accounts of farmers in three equal instalments. Here’s who all are not eligible for the PM-Kisan scheme <ul><li>Institutional landholders are excluded from the PM-Kisan scheme. </li><li>Present and retired employees of state or central government. </li><li>Citizens with higher economic status are also ineligible to receive the benefit. </li><li>Citizens who pay income tax. </li><li>If anyone from the farmer family holds a constitutional post. </li><li>People in professions other than farming like doctors, engineers, and lawyers. </li><li>Retired government pensioners with a monthly pension of over ₹10,000. </li></ul>Here’s who all are eligible for the <keyword id="7291212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Kisan-scheme">PM Kisan scheme</keyword> <ul><li>Farmers’ families with cultivable land holding of less than 2 hectares in their names.</li><li>Small and marginal farmers' families from both urban and rural areas of India. </li></ul>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/india-launches-15-challenges-for-indian-startups-and-msmes-to-solve-for-a-grant-of-50-lakh-each/articleshow/78011599.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">India launches 15 challenges for Indian startups and MSMEs to solve for a grant of ₹50 lakh each</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/how-to-check-name-in-pm-samman-nidhi-yojana-installment-and-helpline-numbers/articleshow/77537856.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana’s installment — how to check in 5 easy steps</a>

PM Kisan Scheme: Tamil Nadu ₹110 crore scam is a reminder that you may be ineligible even if you are a farmer

Strongly backing Tamil Nadu's decades old two-language policy, the ruling AIADMK in the state on Monday rejected the Centre's three-language formula proposed in the new <keyword id="361871" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Education-Policy">National Education Policy</keyword> (NEP) 2020 and said there will be no deviation from the existing system. "The three-language formula in the NEP is painful and saddening. The Prime Minister (<keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>) should reconsider the three-language policy," Palaniswami said. Taking strong exception to the proposal, he said in a statement the state has been following the two-language policy for several decades and that there will be no change in it. His assertion came amidst opposition demand, including from DMK, that the government should reject the three-language formula proposed in NEP and stick to its two-language policy. Incidentally, ahead of today's meeting he convened to discuss the matter with his senior cabinet colleagues, the Opposition bloc led by DMK wrote to the chief minister, asking him to adopt a Cabinet resolution against the new NEP. "Tamil Nadu will never allow the Centre's three- language formula. The state will continue with its dual language policy (of Tamil and English)," Palaniswami said. He discussed the matter with his colleagues--Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, Ministers for higher education and school education, K P Anbalagan and K A Sengottaiyan, respectively and others. The Centre should allow the states to implement their own policy on the subject, he said, adding there will be no change to the two-language formula which the state had adopted decades ago. Teaching up to class 5 in mother tongue or regional language and lowering the stakes of board exams are part of the sweeping reforms in the new NEP unveiled last week by the Centre. However, the proposals have found resistance from the DMK-led opposition in the state, with the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, MK Stalin, dubbing it as an attempt to "impose" Hindi and Sankrit. The anti-Hindi movement of the 1960s taken forward by the DMK had struck an instant chord among the Tamil masses then and is believed to be one of the key reasons for the Dravidian party storming to power in the 1967 elections under the late CN Annadurai, unseating a Congress government in the state for the first time in post-independent India. Palaniswami further said the state has been maintaining a consistent stand and that for about 80 years, the people of Tamil Nadu had been firm on two language policy. Late chief ministers Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa were firmly against 'imposition' of Hindi. He also recalled the historic resolution brought in the Tamil Nadu Assembly by late Annadurai on January 23, 1968, which proposed to abolish the three language policy in all schools in the state, removing Hindi from the State syllabus but allowing only Tamil and English. Later, the AIADMK government led M G Ramachandran had in 1986 adopted an Assembly resolution asserting the two language policy. Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa too was firm on opposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states and in thwarting such efforts and wanted Tamil to be declared as an official language of the country, he said. Palaniswami pointed out he himself had written to the Prime Minister in June 2019 stressing on two-language policy. Besides, he had reiterated this in his Independence Day address last year and on various occasions during the debates in the state Assembly, he recalled. Meanwhile, the Opposition DMK led alliance in Tamil Nadu--comprising the Congress, MDMK, VCK, CPM, CPI and MMK, collectively wrote a letter to Palaniswami asking him to pass a resolution against the new NEP in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet meeting. Many clauses in the new policy are trying to impose "Hindi" and "Sanskrit" and are "trying to do away with Tamil from the system, and this is against federalism, women rights and social justice. It was also "imposing" vedic culture, besides being mum on reservation, it said. "The NEP should be opposed in the initial stages itself," the letter added. Later, Stalin, in a Facebook post, thanked Palaniswami for the government stand on the matter. The NEP, passed by the Union Cabinet last week, laid emphasis on the mother tongue/local and regional language which will now be the medium of instruction at least till Class 5, but preferably till Class 8 and beyond. Also, Sanskrit will be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula.

National Education Policy: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister writes to Modi opposing the shift to three languages

<ul><li><keyword id="6358664" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="sasikala">Sasikala</keyword> has been an important part of <keyword id="6378684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tamil-nadu-politics">Tamil Nadu politics</keyword> for over three decades, functioning as the woman ‘next in power’ after the late <keyword id="42104" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jayalalithaa">Jayalalithaa</keyword>. </li><li>“I believe she would want to correct the perception that Jayalalithaa was the good person and Sasikala was the bad influence. She will want to set the record straight,” a senior journalist said.</li><li>Sasikala will be formally released from jail today after serving a four-year sentence for a corruption case. She, however, will continue to be treated in the hospital for COVID-19. </li></ul>VK Sasikala, once one of the most powerful women of Tamil Nadu and the closest confidante of former Chief Minister, the late J Jayalalithaa, will be formally released from jail today after serving a four-year sentence for amassing wealth through corruption. Neither her chequered past and the jail term, nor being infected by COVID-19 virus, would make her less of a player in Tamil Nadu politics. Hopes and fears are surging about the role that she could choose to play in the upcoming state assembly elections. <div type="image" title="sasikala" msid="80475129" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sasikala surrounded by supporters in a file photo.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Sasikala factor is something all parties including her home party the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (<keyword id="41902" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="AIADMK">AIADMK</keyword>) ⁠— which she was ousted from after being jailed⁠— as well as rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by MK Stalin would be wary of. The incumbent Chief Minister, Edappadi Palanisamy, was Sasikala’s choice before the party distanced itself. He recently <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-cm-edappadi-k-palaniswami-rules-out-any-ties-with-sasikala/articleshow/80358126.cms">said</a> there’s no chance Sasikala will be reinstated into the AIADMK but as the cliche goes, there are no permanent friends or foes in politics. Sasikala isn’t just the woman in jail no. 9234. She has been an important part of Tamil Nadu politics for over three decades, functioning as the woman ‘next in power’ after Jayalalithaa. After the death of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) chief, Sasikala rose to power as calls for Chinamma (an epithet used to position her as the heir to Jayalalithaa, who was called Amma, meaning mother), as she was fondly called, to be the Chief Minister filled the air. Jayalalithaa was the first accused even in the disproportionate assets case, in which Sasikala was jailed. <div type="image" title="supporters" msid="80475198" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sasikala and Jayalalithaa supporters hold placards with photos of the two leaders&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “It may be too soon to comment on whether she will be included again in the party⁠— whether as a General Secretary or mentor or any other role⁠— but many AIADMK leaders have objected to criticising Sasikala in any form,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvzKEsu8rxA">explained</a> a senior journalist Rangaraj Pandey on his YouTube channel, Chanakya on Jan 16. “For Sasikala, the most important thing will be to erase the taint on her reputation. I believe she would want to correct the perception that Jayalalithaa was the good person and Sasikala was the bad influence. She will want to set the record straight.” If Sasikala does return to prominence in Tamil Nadu one more time, it won’t be a surprise. Here’s a look at how she lost and regained power one too many times. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="From running a video cassette business to being Tamil Nadu’s second most powerful woman" comment="subhead" text="From running a video cassette business to being Tamil Nadu’s second most powerful woman">From running a video cassette business to being Tamil Nadu’s second most powerful woman</cmsannotation> In the early 1980s, in Chennai’s Alwarpet tucked away was a tiny little shop “Vinod Video Centre”. That video rental business was run by Sasikala Natarajan. Her husband R Natarajan worked as a Public Relations officer in Tamil Nadu government. It is through him⁠— and a senior civil servant <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/frenemies-forever-tracing-25-year-history-between-jayalalithaa-and-subramanian-swamy-51260">VS Chandralekha</a>, who continues to play a key role in Tamil Nadu politics even now as an advisor to senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy ⁠— that Sasikala first met Jayalalithaa, a superstar at the time being groomed by the then leader of AIADMK and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister M. G. Ramachandran. MGR’s death in 1987 put the spotlight on Jayalalithaa, who after being manhandled by MGR’s supporters and his wife, swept the assembly elections in 1991 and began her tenure as the state’s Chief Minister, a position she went on to win six times. Standing beside her, for most that period, were Sasikala and Natarajan, both of whom moved into Poes Garden with her. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The rise of the Mannargudi Mafia" comment="subhead" text="The rise of the Mannargudi Mafia">The rise of the Mannargudi Mafia</cmsannotation> Even when Jayalalithaa ousted Natarajan from the house in 1990, Sasikala stayed back. She then continued to walk one step behind Jayalalithaa, while her family became all that the CM had. <div type="image" title="jaya sasi" msid="80475214" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;File photo of Sasikala with Jayalalithaa&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Sasikala kept chipping away until people she chose or trusted went on to hold some of the most important posts in the Tamil Nadu government. Just like the fictional character Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, Sasikala’s clout, often derisively described as the “Mannargudi Mafia”, is still omnipresent in the state. “Their men are everywhere from Jaya TV to Ministers’ offices, and have stooges in police and IAS, top to bottom. The system got weakened after the fall of Sasikala in 2012, but once she was back, they were too. And they don’t leave out anything, even the cycle-stand contracts in bus-stands are taken in by them," an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer told <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/mannargudi-intrigue-how-sasikalas-family-grew-control-tns-power-structures-43001">The News Minute in 2016.</a> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Jayalalithaa and Sasikala – not a completely rosy picture" comment="subhead" text="Jayalalithaa and Sasikala – not a completely rosy picture">Jayalalithaa and Sasikala – not a completely rosy picture</cmsannotation> The duo, who had ruled politics in Tamil Nadu, also had their ups and downs. In a move that shocked many, in 2011, Jayalalithaa had expelled Sasikala and 13 of her family members from AIADMK. “All party men are directed not to have any contact whatsoever with all these expelled persons,” Jayalalithaa had <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/content/212823/jayalalitha-expels-sasikala-13-others.html">said then. </a> Earlier in 1996, Jayalalithaa had first distanced herself from Sasikala when they were arrested in the ₹66 crore disproportionate assets case. It was reported that Sasikala’s growing clout in AIADMK that began to bother Jayalalithaa. But soon after in 2012, the Tamil Nadu CM marked a U-turn by reinstating Sasikala, after she publicly disassociated herself from her family members and wrote an apology letter to Jayalalithaa. <div type="image" title="jaya sasi 1" msid="80475258" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;File photo of AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa with her close aide V K Sasikala&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Jayalalithaa’s death and Sasikala’s close brush with being the CM" comment="subhead" text="Jayalalithaa’s death and Sasikala’s close brush with being the CM">Jayalalithaa’s death and Sasikala’s close brush with being the CM</cmsannotation> Sasikala bounced back to prominence and cemented her position as Jayalalithaa’s most important aide by the time of the latter’s death in December 2016. <div type="image" title="jayalalitha death" msid="80475235" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sasikala at Jayalalithaa&amp;#39;s funeral&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Even as conspiracy theories <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jayalaithaa-slowly-poisoned-to-death-by-sasikala-with-unsuitable-food-alleges-aiadmk-minister/story-IyKNIgM5rO73a26ORJC5AK.html">alleged</a> that it was Sasikala who had slowly poisoned the leader, the party stood by Chinnamma. And so did the powers that be in New Delhi. “I emphatically request that respected Chinnamma has to immediately take over the leadership of the Government, as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” wrote deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha M Thambidurai <a href="https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/know/sasikala-in-ammas-likeness/article9461395.ece">in a letter</a>. <div type="image" title="sasikala11" msid="80475285" hostid="261"></div> Sasikala continued to live in Poes Garden – a house that was never hers, and Jayalithaa never left a will. Until she was arrested. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Sasikala’s world goes tumbling down" comment="subhead" text="Sasikala’s world goes tumbling down">Sasikala’s world goes tumbling down</cmsannotation> In February 2017, Sasikala was sent to jail along with her nephew V N Sudhagaran and sister-in-law J Elavarasi in the disproportionate assets case. The Supreme Court of India over-ruled the Karnataka High Court’s decision from 2015, which had acquitted Jayalalithaa and others, and sent them all packing to jail. During the <a href="https://scroll.in/latest/978884/vk-sasikala-pays-rs-10-crore-fine-in-disproportionate-assets-case-lawyer-says-early-release-likely">investigation</a>, it was found that Sasikala and her relatives through shell companies had bought properties worth ₹300 crore in and around Chennai. In 2020, Sasikala’s relatives paid the ₹10 crore fine on her behalf. During her tenure in jail, <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/top-prison-official-accused-of-accepting-2-crore-from-sasikala/article19265812.ece">reports</a> said that Sasikala had allegedly bribed jail officials for preferential treatment. She had also been let out first on a five-day parole in 2017 to meet her ailing husband Natarajan and then again on a 15-day parole in 2018 to attend his funeral. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="One more chance for Sasikala" comment="subhead" text="One more chance for Sasikala">One more chance for Sasikala</cmsannotation> To put it very mildly, Sasikala’s emergence from jail ahead of the Tamil Nadu polls is likely to make it a lot more interesting. <div type="image" title="sasikala1" msid="80475272" hostid="261"></div> While the DMK is touted to be ahead in the electoral race, as per many estimates, the incumbent AIADMK government under E Palanisamy is stronger than it was when she was arrested. There were many who thought the AIADMK government wouldn’t survive its full term but it did. The party did break as Sasikala’s nephew TTV Dinakaran took charge of the faction that was spun out. However, he has, in the past, underscored that his commitment is to protecting Jayalalithaa’s legacy more than any party. If he sticks to that stance, there is room for the rival factions to unite. And as far as the AIADMK is concerned, there is a need for it too. The tug of war between the Chief Minister Palanisamy and the Finance Minister O Panneerselvam continues till date. Sasikala can fix that too. The question is whether she wants to. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/old-vehicle-owners-may-have-to-pay-up-to-3800-per-year-as-green-tax/articleshow/80473971.cms">Old vehicle owners may have to pay up to ₹3,800 per year as ‘Green tax’</a>

You Searched For "CM MK Stalin" and got 13 results

Kallakurichi hooch deaths: Tamil Nadu BJP delegation meets Governor Ravi

ANI

Cyclone Michaung: 8 people dead, subways, roads closed in Tamil Nadu, CM Stalin inspects relief camps in Chennai

ANI

NEET and JEE exams can expose 28 lakh students to COVID-19, says Delhi CM Manish Sisodia

PTI

Rain, gusty winds as Cyclone 'Michaung' to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh today

ANI

Opposition's INDIA bloc meeting today to discuss seat sharing

ANI

Chennai MeT predicts moderate rainfall, thunderstorms in 10 districts of Tamil Nadu

ANI

Murmu vs Sinha: Voting begins to elect the next President of India

BI India Bureau

Arvind Kejriwal sends a Facebook invite to all of Delhi to attend his swearing-in ceremony

Navdeep Yadav

PM Kisan Scheme: Tamil Nadu ₹110 crore scam is a reminder that you may be ineligible even if you are a farmer

Navdeep Yadav

National Education Policy: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister writes to Modi opposing the shift to three languages

PTI

Sasikala returns in an election year⁠ — a woman who has won and lost it all one too many times has another shot at power

Sanchita Dash

Delhi election result 2020: EC confirms AAP's victory in 62 seats while BJP backs 8 of 70 assembly seats

BI India Bureau

Data from nine different elections show that Congress can be on the winning side but not the winner

BI India Bureau