<p>Expelled DMK leader M K Alagiri has lashed out at his younger brother and party working president M K Stalin for the party&#39;s drubbing in the R K Nagar bypoll, saying it cannot win any election under his leadership.</p>

<p>&quot;Not just R K Nagar bypoll. DMK will not henceforth win in any election. There is no chance for that till this Working President (Stalin) is there (at the helm of affairs),&quot; he said in an interview to a Tamil magazine.</p>

<p>The Madurai-based former DMK strongman, son of party president M Karunanidhi, wielded tremendous clout in south Tamil Nadu during the 2006-11 party rule.</p>

<p>&quot;Such a situation (DMK finishing third in the R K Nagar bypoll) would not have emerged if Leader (Karunanidhi) was active,&quot; Alagiri said.</p>

<p>Alagiri and Stalin had been involved in a long-running feud in the DMK&#39;s first family with both contendings to be their father&#39;s political heir.</p>

<p>A former Union minister, Alagiri had once famously asked if the DMK was a &#39;mutt&#39; where a senior pontiff could appoint his successor, indicating that he was always in the reckoning.</p>

<p>However, Alagiri was expelled from DMK in 2014 for alleged anti-party activities and has largely remained low profile since then.</p>

<p>The ruling AIADMK latched onto Alagiri&#39;s comments to take potshots at Stalin.</p>

<p>&quot;Alagiri has said DMK cannot win (under Stalin&#39;s leadership)... His (Stalin&#39;s) own brother has said so,&quot; senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said, without elaborating.</p>

<p>The DMK lost the December 21 R K Nagar bypoll, where its candidate N Maruthu Ganesh polled 24,000-odd votes, which was way below the 57,673 votes secured by the party in the 2016 assembly elections, and lost deposit.</p>

<p>Shimla Muthuchozhan of DMK had then lost to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who emerged the winner with 97,218 votes in the constituency.</p>

<p>Rival AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, contesting as an independent, won the December 21 bypoll getting 89,013 votes. He defeated his nearest rival, AIADMK&#39;s E Madhusudhanan, who got 48,306 votes.</p>

<p>Alleging that the victory was due to &quot;money power&quot;, Stalin has claimed that it was &quot;a Himalayan defeat for the Election Commission rather than the DMK candidate&quot;.</p>

<p>The DMK has appointed a three-member committee to look into the byelection outcome and submit a report before December 31.&nbsp;</p>


The Madurai-based former DMK strongman wielded tremendous clout in south Tamil Nadu during the 2006-11 party rule

Expelled DMK leader M K Alagiri has lashed out at his younger brother and party working president M K Stalin for the party's drubbing in the R K Nagar bypoll, saying it cannot win any election under his leadership. "Not just R K Nagar bypoll. DMK will not henceforth win in any election. There is no chance for that till this Working President (Stalin) is there (at the helm of affairs)," he said in an interview to a Tamil magazine. The Madurai-based former DMK strongman, son of party president M Karunanidhi, wielded tremendous clout in south Tamil Nadu during the 2006-11 party rule. "Such a situation (DMK finishing third in the R K Nagar bypoll) would not have emerged if Leader (Karunanidhi) was active," Alagiri said. Alagiri and Stalin had been involved in a long-running feud in the DMK's first family with both contendings to be their father's political heir. A former Union minister, Alagiri had once famously asked if the DMK was a 'mutt' where a senior pontiff could appoint his successor, indicating that he was always in the reckoning. However, Alagiri was expelled from DMK in 2014 for alleged anti-party activities and has largely remained low profile since then. The ruling AIADMK latched onto Alagiri's comments to take potshots at Stalin. "Alagiri has said DMK cannot win (under Stalin's leadership)... His (Stalin's) own brother has said so," senior AIADMK leader and Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar said, without elaborating. The DMK lost the December 21 R K Nagar bypoll, where its candidate N Maruthu Ganesh polled 24,000-odd votes, which was way below the 57,673 votes secured by the party in the 2016 assembly elections, and lost deposit. Shimla Muthuchozhan of DMK had then lost to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who emerged the winner with 97,218 votes in the constituency. Rival AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, contesting as an independent, won the December 21 bypoll getting 89,013 votes. He defeated his nearest rival, AIADMK's E Madhusudhanan, who got 48,306 votes. Alleging that the victory was due to "money power", Stalin has claimed that it was "a Himalayan defeat for the Election Commission rather than the DMK candidate". The DMK has appointed a three-member committee to look into the byelection outcome and submit a report before December 31.

'DMK can't win polls under him,' Alagiri targets Stalin

<p>India is celebrating National Mathematics day on Friday in memory of the math maestro Srinivasa Ramanujan.</p>

<p>Mathematician Day was declared by former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the inaugural ceremony of the celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of mathematician genius.</p>

<p>The ceremony was held at the Madras University.</p>

<p>Hailing from Erode, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasa born on December 22, 1887, though he had no formal training in pure mathematics, he made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series.</p>

<p>Ramanujan also developed his own mathematical theorems; he independently compiled nearly 3,900 results mostly identities and equations which have opened new areas of work and inspired vast amount of further research.</p>

<p>Ramanujan was so exceptional that nearly all his claims have been proven correct.</p>

<p>Ramanujan was the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society and only the second Indian member and the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.</p>

<p>The Indian mathematician was a deeply religious Hindu who credited family goddess for his mathematical knowledge.</p>

<p>Though being a &nbsp;lover of mathematics Ramanujan hates going to school and he always tried to avoid attending, it is said that his family enlisted a local constable to make sure he attended school.</p>

<p>Ramanujan has mastered trigonometry by the age of 13 years old and started discovering his own theorems by he was 14 years old.</p>

<p>Ramanujan died at the of 32 in 1920 due to tuberculosis and a severe vitamin deficiency due to the difficulty of keeping the strict dietary requirement of his religion in England.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Mathematician Day was declared by former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the inaugural ceremony of the celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of mathematician genius

India is celebrating National Mathematics day on Friday in memory of the math maestro Srinivasa Ramanujan. Mathematician Day was declared by former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the inaugural ceremony of the celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of mathematician genius. The ceremony was held at the Madras University. Hailing from Erode, Tamil Nadu, Srinivasa born on December 22, 1887, though he had no formal training in pure mathematics, he made significant contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series. Ramanujan also developed his own mathematical theorems; he independently compiled nearly 3,900 results mostly identities and equations which have opened new areas of work and inspired vast amount of further research. Ramanujan was so exceptional that nearly all his claims have been proven correct. Ramanujan was the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society and only the second Indian member and the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. The Indian mathematician was a deeply religious Hindu who credited family goddess for his mathematical knowledge. Though being a lover of mathematics Ramanujan hates going to school and he always tried to avoid attending, it is said that his family enlisted a local constable to make sure he attended school. Ramanujan has mastered trigonometry by the age of 13 years old and started discovering his own theorems by he was 14 years old. Ramanujan died at the of 32 in 1920 due to tuberculosis and a severe vitamin deficiency due to the difficulty of keeping the strict dietary requirement of his religion in England.

National Mathematics Day: Srinivasa Ramanujan and his exceptional life

<p>&nbsp;The commission investigating the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jayalalithas-murder-mystery-under-investigation-26906" target="_blank">death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa </a>has summoned Sasikala and Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy for investigation.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jayalalithaa</a> death probe commission summons <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sasikala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Sasikala</a> and Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944118300602023936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In an earlier statement by an Apollo hospital doctor,&nbsp;Jayalalithaa was brought to the hospital in a critical condition.</p>

<p>He said that the late chief minister had shown significant progress during her treatment but then she later succumbed to her &quot;disease pattern&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Her disease pattern was such and due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away.&nbsp;He said that his team of doctors did best that they could,&quot; said the founder of Apollo Hospital.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa was brought to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, where she spent 75 days.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The AIADMK chief died in hospital on December 5, 2016.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Apollo hospital staff say she was brought to the hospital in a severe state and was given adequate treatment in the hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, controversies over her death erupted after leaders from her party pointed fingers at VK Sasikala, her close aide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


?The commission investigating the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J.Jayalalithaa has summoned Sasikala and Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy for investigation

The commission investigating the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has summoned Sasikala and Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy for investigation. #Jayalalithaa death probe commission summons #Sasikala and Apollo Hospital Chairman Pratap Reddy — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × In an earlier statement by an Apollo hospital doctor, Jayalalithaa was brought to the hospital in a critical condition. He said that the late chief minister had shown significant progress during her treatment but then she later succumbed to her "disease pattern". "Her disease pattern was such and due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away. He said that his team of doctors did best that they could," said the founder of Apollo Hospital. Jayalalithaa was brought to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, where she spent 75 days. The AIADMK chief died in hospital on December 5, 2016. The Apollo hospital staff say she was brought to the hospital in a severe state and was given adequate treatment in the hospital. However, controversies over her death erupted after leaders from her party pointed fingers at VK Sasikala, her close aide.

Commission investigating Jayalalithaa's death summons Sasikala, Apollo Hospital chairman

<p>&nbsp;Actor Rajnikanth on Friday met Tamil Nadu politician and his close friend Tamilaruvi Manian.</p>

<p>After the meeting, Manian said that Rajnikanth will disclose &quot;his plan of action&quot; regarding his political entry on any day from 26 December to 31 December.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that thereafter there will not be any doubt regarding his political entry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rajnikanth will also meet his fans for six days starting from December 26 till December 31.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="et">Tamil Nadu: Actor Rajinikanth met Tamilaruvi Manian at his residence in Chennai. <a href="https://t.co/pKDBg6v1y0">pic.twitter.com/pKDBg6v1y0</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944168245396848640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rajinikanth to meet his fans for six days, from 26th December till December 31 (File picture) <a href="https://t.co/dQvjhimUQD">pic.twitter.com/dQvjhimUQD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944178745560023047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On any day from 26th December to 31st December, he (Rajinikanth) will disclose his plan of action, thereafter there will not be any doubt regarding his political entry: Tamilaruvi Manian, Rajinikanth&#39;s close friend</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/944180353337409536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Speculations over the Tamil superstar entering&nbsp;politics have been on the rise for a very long time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an interview conducted in November, the actor had clearly <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/not-joining-politics-right-now-rajinikanth-24876" target="_blank">refused to join politics</a>.</p>

<p>He answered a question by saying that there was no &quot;pressing need&quot; for him to join politics at this moment.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The actor had earlier hinted on joining politics. While addressing his supporters in an earlier occasion he had urged them to be &quot;ready for war&quot; when the time comes and also added that the &quot;system is rotten&quot;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


?Actor Rajnikanth today met Tamil Nadu politician Tamilaruvi Manian today

Actor Rajnikanth on Friday met Tamil Nadu politician and his close friend Tamilaruvi Manian. After the meeting, Manian said that Rajnikanth will disclose "his plan of action" regarding his political entry on any day from 26 December to 31 December. He added that thereafter there will not be any doubt regarding his political entry. Rajnikanth will also meet his fans for six days starting from December 26 till December 31. Tamil Nadu: Actor Rajinikanth met Tamilaruvi Manian at his residence in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/pKDBg6v1y0 — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Rajinikanth to meet his fans for six days, from 26th December till December 31 (File picture) pic.twitter.com/dQvjhimUQD — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × On any day from 26th December to 31st December, he (Rajinikanth) will disclose his plan of action, thereafter there will not be any doubt regarding his political entry: Tamilaruvi Manian, Rajinikanth's close friend — ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2017 × Speculations over the Tamil superstar entering politics have been on the rise for a very long time. In an interview conducted in November, the actor had clearly refused to join politics. He answered a question by saying that there was no "pressing need" for him to join politics at this moment. The actor had earlier hinted on joining politics. While addressing his supporters in an earlier occasion he had urged them to be "ready for war" when the time comes and also added that the "system is rotten".

Rajinikanth to enter politics? Actor to disclose 'plan of action'

<p>Former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan&nbsp;made a major blunder on Twitter on Monday, posting a rather bizarre information on what seemed to be about late CM of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman also mixed up the names - addressing the late CM as &#39;Shashikala&#39;, the correct name, of course, is Sasikala, currently lodged&nbsp;in a Karnataka prison in the disproportionate&nbsp;assets case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan&#39;s former World Cup-winning captain said on his Twitter: &quot;Shashikala, a famous South Indian actress turned politician in India&#39;s Tamil Nadu died recently &amp; below her house were discovered gold reserves, jewels &amp; an illegal stash of money! A msg to all &nbsp;corrupt ldrs: the hoarded bns stolen from our impoverished masses will be left behind.&quot;</p>

<p>Former chief minister&nbsp;of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa died on 5 December in 2016 due to cardiac arrest.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/tweet-20171219094342.png" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>Imran Khan&#39;s tweet which he later deleted. (Twitter)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Imran mistakenly named&nbsp;&quot;Jayalalithaa&quot;&nbsp;for &quot;storing gold reserves, jewels, and an illegal stash of money&quot;&nbsp;and also provided &quot;pictures&quot;&nbsp;of the scene.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/drzfplvwkaafqft-20171219094427.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>One of the pictures posted by Imran Khan showing large stack of gold reserves. (Twitter)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/drzfpegwsaacnz4-20171219094530.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>The other picture shows &#39;illegal stash of money&#39; which Khan claimed was found in the late CM&#39;s house. (Twitter)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/drzftmqxuaa47qf-20171219094637.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>He also posted this picture of heavy gold jewellery which Khan claims belonged to Jayalalithaa. (Twitter)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The pictures show massive amounts of gold bricks and jewellery stacked in what seems to be a shop or a basement. However, no proof of any &quot;discovery&quot; has ever been&nbsp;made of gold being stashed away either at Sasikala or Jayalalithaa&#39;s residence. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He further went on to call out &#39;all corrupt leaders&#39; claiming that all this large amount of money &quot;stolen&quot;&nbsp;from the impoverished masses will be left behind.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Imran, however, discovered his mistake after&nbsp;over 30 minutes after which he removed the controversial tweet.</p>


Apart from the questionable information he posted, he also mixed up the names - Addressing the late CM as 'Shashikala' - who is actually a Bollywood actress.?

Former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan made a major blunder on Twitter on Monday, posting a rather bizarre information on what seemed to be about late CM of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa. The Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman also mixed up the names - addressing the late CM as 'Shashikala', the correct name, of course, is Sasikala, currently lodged in a Karnataka prison in the disproportionate assets case. Pakistan's former World Cup-winning captain said on his Twitter: "Shashikala, a famous South Indian actress turned politician in India's Tamil Nadu died recently & below her house were discovered gold reserves, jewels & an illegal stash of money! A msg to all corrupt ldrs: the hoarded bns stolen from our impoverished masses will be left behind." Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa died on 5 December in 2016 due to cardiac arrest. Imran Khan's tweet which he later deleted. (Twitter) × Imran mistakenly named "Jayalalithaa" for "storing gold reserves, jewels, and an illegal stash of money" and also provided "pictures" of the scene. One of the pictures posted by Imran Khan showing large stack of gold reserves. (Twitter) × The other picture shows 'illegal stash of money' which Khan claimed was found in the late CM's house. (Twitter) × He also posted this picture of heavy gold jewellery which Khan claims belonged to Jayalalithaa. (Twitter) × The pictures show massive amounts of gold bricks and jewellery stacked in what seems to be a shop or a basement. However, no proof of any "discovery" has ever been made of gold being stashed away either at Sasikala or Jayalalithaa's residence. He further went on to call out 'all corrupt leaders' claiming that all this large amount of money "stolen" from the impoverished masses will be left behind. Imran, however, discovered his mistake after over 30 minutes after which he removed the controversial tweet.

Imran Khan's blooper on Twitter: Shashikala, famous south Indian actress, died recently

<p>&quot;Our rescue efforts will never fall short,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the families of the people still missing because of Cyclone Ockhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Government of India is with you in every way, our rescue efforts will never fall short and we will help you in every way, I am here to assure you about this. We pray that all those missing, can return home before Christmas,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Modi was speaking in Poonthura, Kerala.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Gov of India is with you in every way, our rescue efforts will never fall short &amp; we will help you in every way, I am here to assure you about this. We pray that all those missing, can return home before Christmas: PM Modi in Kerala&#39;s Poonthura <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/jzxU5aEOSP">pic.twitter.com/jzxU5aEOSP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943088380639789056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Narendra Modi meets families affected by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> in Kerala&#39;s Poonthura, says, &#39;govt will do everything possible to bring back the missing people&#39; <a href="https://t.co/oqR0Ix35FW">pic.twitter.com/oqR0Ix35FW</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943087229496311810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Modi also reviewed relief operations in Thiruvananthapuram along with&nbsp;Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Narendra Modi reviews relief operations in Kerala&#39;s Thiruvananthapuram. CM Pinarayi Vijayan also present, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zy5PKEi0fI">pic.twitter.com/Zy5PKEi0fI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943098265045626880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Modi had previously visited Kanyakumari,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-over-180-people-rescued-off-lakshadweep-coast-26206">Lakshadweep</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/the-wrath-of-cyclone-ockhi-at-least-18-killed-in-tamil-nadu-kerala-7117">Tamil Nadu</a> to meet families affected and take note of the situation.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Narendra Modi meets cyclone affected fishermen in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kanyakumari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kanyakumari</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/ak41YOrj4j">pic.twitter.com/ak41YOrj4j</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943056253374181376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi met families of victims affected by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lakshadweep?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lakshadweep</a>&#39;s Kavaratti <a href="https://t.co/Nbgb1Cne1N">pic.twitter.com/Nbgb1Cne1N</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943030486917455872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="in">PM Narendra Modi reviews <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> relief operations in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kanyakumari?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kanyakumari</a> . Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami also present <a href="https://t.co/dQk1x8N3H7">pic.twitter.com/dQk1x8N3H7</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943051382210170880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Cyclone Ockhi recently hit the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-at-least-16-dead-several-missing-as-cyclone-ockhi-nears-lakshadweep-sri-lanka-25598">southern half of the country</a>, leaving a number of people dead and several missing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771">30 died due to Cyclone </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771">Ockhi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771"> :</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771"> Report</a></p>

<p>A search and rescue operation was launched by the Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.</p>

<p>As of December 14, 700 fishermen had been rescued. They included five Sri Lankan nationals.&nbsp;</p>


"Our rescue efforts will never fall short," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the families of the people still missing because of Cyclone Ockhi. "Government of India is with you in every way, our rescue efforts will never fall short and we will help you in every way, I am here to assure you about this. We pray that all those missing, can return home before Christmas," he said. Modi was speaking in Poonthura, Kerala. Gov of India is with you in every way, our rescue efforts will never fall short & we will help you in every way, I am here to assure you about this. We pray that all those missing, can return home before Christmas: PM Modi in Kerala's Poonthura #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/jzxU5aEOSP — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × PM Narendra Modi meets families affected by #CycloneOckhi in Kerala's Poonthura, says, 'govt will do everything possible to bring back the missing people' pic.twitter.com/oqR0Ix35FW — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × Modi also reviewed relief operations in Thiruvananthapuram along with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. PM Narendra Modi reviews relief operations in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram. CM Pinarayi Vijayan also present, #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/Zy5PKEi0fI — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × Modi had previously visited Kanyakumari, Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu to meet families affected and take note of the situation. PM Narendra Modi meets cyclone affected fishermen in #Kanyakumari #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/ak41YOrj4j — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × Prime Minister Narendra Modi met families of victims affected by #CycloneOckhi in #Lakshadweep's Kavaratti pic.twitter.com/Nbgb1Cne1N — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × . PM Narendra Modi reviews #CycloneOckhi relief operations in #Kanyakumari . Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami also present pic.twitter.com/dQk1x8N3H7 — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2017 × Cyclone Ockhi recently hit the southern half of the country, leaving a number of people dead and several missing. Also read: 30 died due to Cyclone Ockhi : Report A search and rescue operation was launched by the Indian Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. As of December 14, 700 fishermen had been rescued. They included five Sri Lankan nationals.

'Our rescue efforts will never fall short,' PM Modi tells Ockhi-affected families

<p>Congress president Rahul Gandhi today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a comprehensive special financial package for Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep for the rehabilitation of the families of those fishermen who lost their lives due to Cyclone Ockhi.</p>

<p>In his first letter as the Congress chief to the prime minister, Gandhi also requested the latter to put in place adequate measures for strengthening the weather updating system and an advance cyclone warning communication mechanism in the coastal areas.</p>

<p>The Congress leader highlighted the sufferings of the cyclone-hit fishermen, whom he had met during his recent visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu on December 14.</p>

<p>Gandhi also urged the prime minister for constructing seawalls and groynes along the vulnerable sea coasts of the two southern states.&nbsp;</p>


Rahul Gandhi demanded comprehensive special financial package for, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep for the rehabilitation of the families of those fishermen who lost their lives due to Cyclone Ockhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi today wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding a comprehensive special financial package for Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep for the rehabilitation of the families of those fishermen who lost their lives due to Cyclone Ockhi. In his first letter as the Congress chief to the prime minister, Gandhi also requested the latter to put in place adequate measures for strengthening the weather updating system and an advance cyclone warning communication mechanism in the coastal areas. The Congress leader highlighted the sufferings of the cyclone-hit fishermen, whom he had met during his recent visit to Kerala and Tamil Nadu on December 14. Gandhi also urged the prime minister for constructing seawalls and groynes along the vulnerable sea coasts of the two southern states.

Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi, demands special package for cyclone-hit victims

<p>The DMK&#39;s MK Stalin has written to the Election Commission accusing the ruling AIADMK of the &quot;large-scale distribution&quot; of money to win the RK Nagar bypoll.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his letter, Stalin alleged that the AIADMK has distributed over Rs 100 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Tamil Nadu witnessing large-scale distribution of money to the tune of more than Rs 100 Crores by the ruling AIADMK party to the voters for by-election to RK Nagar Assembly Constituency,&quot; Stalin wrote in his letter.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DMK&#39;s MK Stalin writes to the Election Commission of India, says &quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> witnessing large-scale distribution of money to the tune of more than Rs.100 Crores by the ruling AIADMK party to the voters for by-election to RK Nagar Assembly Constituency&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xAwmtDtyGS">pic.twitter.com/xAwmtDtyGS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942341081349238786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Stalin also requested the Election Commission to disqualify AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan, telling the commission to &quot;take appropriate and necessary action against AIADMK and the erring officials and to ensure free and fair election RK Nagar Assembly Constituency.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DMK&#39;s MK Stalin also requests Election Commission to disqualify AIADMK candidate E.Madhusudhanan, says &quot;take appropriate and necessary action against AIADMK and the erring officials and to ensure free and fair election RK Nagar Assembly Constituency&quot;</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/942341528076161024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Key contestants in the bypoll include Madhusudanan, and N Marudhu Ganesh who is the DMK&#39;s candidate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Breakaway AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran will be contesting the bypoll as an independent candidate.</p>

<p>The RK Nagar bypoll was made necessary by the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>The election is also being seen as a litmus test for the ruling party which has been facing a barrage of accusations including of alleged corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said RK Nagar had witnessed chaotic scenes on Saturday after election officials and DMK cadre chased and seized about Rs 13 lakh from men accused of trying to distribute cash to voters.</p>

<p>The reports added that a few men were caught trying to do the same thing today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, the men were caught trying to distribute packets of biryani and Rs 2,000 notes to voters. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The RK Nagar&nbsp;bypoll had been cancelled in April following allegations of the distribution of cash to voters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bypoll is now to be held on December 21 and campaigning is on in full swing.</p>


RK Nagar had witnessed chaotic scenes on Saturday after election officials and DMK cadre chased and seized about Rs 13 lakh from men accused of trying to distribute cash to voters

The DMK's MK Stalin has written to the Election Commission accusing the ruling AIADMK of the "large-scale distribution" of money to win the RK Nagar bypoll. In his letter, Stalin alleged that the AIADMK has distributed over Rs 100 crore. "Tamil Nadu witnessing large-scale distribution of money to the tune of more than Rs 100 Crores by the ruling AIADMK party to the voters for by-election to RK Nagar Assembly Constituency," Stalin wrote in his letter. DMK's MK Stalin writes to the Election Commission of India, says "#TamilNadu witnessing large-scale distribution of money to the tune of more than Rs.100 Crores by the ruling AIADMK party to the voters for by-election to RK Nagar Assembly Constituency" pic.twitter.com/xAwmtDtyGS — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2017 × Stalin also requested the Election Commission to disqualify AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhanan, telling the commission to "take appropriate and necessary action against AIADMK and the erring officials and to ensure free and fair election RK Nagar Assembly Constituency." DMK's MK Stalin also requests Election Commission to disqualify AIADMK candidate E.Madhusudhanan, says "take appropriate and necessary action against AIADMK and the erring officials and to ensure free and fair election RK Nagar Assembly Constituency" — ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2017 × Key contestants in the bypoll include Madhusudanan, and N Marudhu Ganesh who is the DMK's candidate. Breakaway AIADMK leader TTV Dinakaran will be contesting the bypoll as an independent candidate. The RK Nagar bypoll was made necessary by the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The election is also being seen as a litmus test for the ruling party which has been facing a barrage of accusations including of alleged corruption. News reports said RK Nagar had witnessed chaotic scenes on Saturday after election officials and DMK cadre chased and seized about Rs 13 lakh from men accused of trying to distribute cash to voters. The reports added that a few men were caught trying to do the same thing today. On Sunday, the men were caught trying to distribute packets of biryani and Rs 2,000 notes to voters. The RK Nagar bypoll had been cancelled in April following allegations of the distribution of cash to voters. The bypoll is now to be held on December 21 and campaigning is on in full swing.

RK Nagar bypoll: Stalin writes to EC, says AIADMK distributing 'large-scale money'

<p>An investigating team is probing the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, an Apollo doctor stated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A doctor from the Apollo hospital has said that Jayalalitha was brought to the hospital in a critical condition.</p>

<p>He said that the late chief minister had shown significant progress during her treatment but that she later succumbed to her &quot;disease pattern&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;Her disease pattern was such and due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away.&nbsp;He said that his team of doctors did best that they could,&quot; said the founder of Apollo Hospital.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An inquiry is on. Frmr TN CM <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jayalalithaa?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jayalalithaa</a> was brought to hospital in a critical condition, showed significant progress later,but disease pattern ws such&amp;due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away.Our team of doctors did the best they could:Founder,Apollo hospital <a href="https://t.co/XKDiv1p4d4">pic.twitter.com/XKDiv1p4d4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/941956942951432192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Jayalalithaa was brought to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, where she spent 75 days.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The AIADMK chief died in hospital on December 5, 2016.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Apollo hospital staff have been claiming that she was brought to the hospital in a severe state and was given adequate treatment in the hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, controversies over her death erupted after leaders from her party pointed fingers at VK Sasikala, her close aide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An investigation had already been initiated by chief minister&nbsp;Edappadi Palaniswami on the demands of&nbsp;Panneerselvam.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


An investigating team is probing the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, the founder of Apollo Hospital stated

An investigating team is probing the death of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, an Apollo doctor stated. A doctor from the Apollo hospital has said that Jayalalitha was brought to the hospital in a critical condition. He said that the late chief minister had shown significant progress during her treatment but that she later succumbed to her "disease pattern". "Her disease pattern was such and due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away. He said that his team of doctors did best that they could," said the founder of Apollo Hospital. An inquiry is on. Frmr TN CM #Jayalalithaa was brought to hospital in a critical condition, showed significant progress later,but disease pattern ws such&due to acute respiratory distress syndrome she passed away.Our team of doctors did the best they could:Founder,Apollo hospital pic.twitter.com/XKDiv1p4d4 — ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2017 × Jayalalithaa was brought to Apollo Hospital on September 22, 2016, where she spent 75 days. The AIADMK chief died in hospital on December 5, 2016. The Apollo hospital staff have been claiming that she was brought to the hospital in a severe state and was given adequate treatment in the hospital. However, controversies over her death erupted after leaders from her party pointed fingers at VK Sasikala, her close aide. An investigation had already been initiated by chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami on the demands of Panneerselvam.

Jayalalithaa's death under investigation: Apollo Doctor

<p>On the&nbsp;25th anniversary of the infamous Babri Masjid demolition which stoked communal violence between Hindus and Muslims across India, Uttar Pradesh&#39;s Ayodhya has been put on alert Wednesday&nbsp;and additional security has been deployed to avoid any kind of untoward incident.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Security heightened in Ayodhya on the 25th anniversary of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BabriDemolition?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BabriDemolition</a> <a href="https://t.co/IyfctuiQpq">pic.twitter.com/IyfctuiQpq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/938268255138877441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>=</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Posters seen in Meerut yesterday, ahead of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BabriDemolition?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BabriDemolition</a>&#39;s 25th anniversary. Police say posters have been taken down &amp; one person behind the act has been identified. <a href="https://t.co/tNDC7F2iyI">pic.twitter.com/tNDC7F2iyI</a></p>
&mdash; ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANINewsUP/status/938308392669589507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>On December 6, 1992, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a rally in Ayodhya involving over 1.5 lakh volunteers, known as &#39;kar sevaks&#39;. However, it soon turned violent, and the crowd overpowered the security forces before demolishing the 16th Century Babri Masjid.</p>

<p>The rally saw the presence of senior BHP leaders including LK Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi.</p>

<p>The VHP celebrates the demolition day as &#39;Shaurya Diwas&#39; and organises several events every year, claiming that a temple of Lord Ram temple originally stood there and was demolished to construct the mosque.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The church attacked was the Pentecostal Church in Kottaipalayam

On the 25th anniversary of the infamous Babri Masjid demolition which stoked communal violence between Hindus and Muslims across India, Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya has been put on alert Wednesday and additional security has been deployed to avoid any kind of untoward incident. Security heightened in Ayodhya on the 25th anniversary of #BabriDemolition pic.twitter.com/IyfctuiQpq — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 6, 2017 = × Posters seen in Meerut yesterday, ahead of #BabriDemolition's 25th anniversary. Police say posters have been taken down & one person behind the act has been identified. pic.twitter.com/tNDC7F2iyI — ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) December 6, 2017 × On December 6, 1992, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a rally in Ayodhya involving over 1.5 lakh volunteers, known as 'kar sevaks'. However, it soon turned violent, and the crowd overpowered the security forces before demolishing the 16th Century Babri Masjid. The rally saw the presence of senior BHP leaders including LK Advani, Uma Bharti and Murli Manohar Joshi. The VHP celebrates the demolition day as 'Shaurya Diwas' and organises several events every year, claiming that a temple of Lord Ram temple originally stood there and was demolished to construct the mosque.

Church attacked, vandalised in Tamil Nadu, 5 injured

<p>&nbsp;At least seven persons including three children and two women were killed when the van in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary lorry at Thuvarankurichi, some 50 km from here, police said today.</p>

<p>The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a>: At least seven people killed after a tempo traveller hit a stationary vehicle in Agaram near Thuvarankurichi in Mannapparai <a href="https://t.co/maeJ9UEnF3">pic.twitter.com/maeJ9UEnF3</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/938609290796871680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Four persons, who were injured in the mishap, have been admitted to the government hospital here, police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, PTI reports quoting official sources said nine people died in the accident.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said.

At least seven persons including three children and two women were killed when the van in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary lorry at Thuvarankurichi, some 50 km from here, police said today. The occupants of the van were proceeding to Tiruchirappali en route to Tirupati from Kanyakumari when the accident took place late last night, they said. #TamilNadu: At least seven people killed after a tempo traveller hit a stationary vehicle in Agaram near Thuvarankurichi in Mannapparai pic.twitter.com/maeJ9UEnF3 — ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2017 × Four persons, who were injured in the mishap, have been admitted to the government hospital here, police said. However, PTI reports quoting official sources said nine people died in the accident.

Seven killed in road accident in Tamil Nadu

<p>Schools and colleges will remain shut in Mumbai metropolitan region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts due to cyclone Ockhi warnings.</p>

<p>Maharashtra&#39;s Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde announced the news on Twitter</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Precautionary holiday declared for schools in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a></p>
&mdash; Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) <a href="https://twitter.com/TawdeVinod/status/937692404320051200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Areas near the metropolis and the Mumbai-Pune highway witnessed a hailstorm today.</p>

<p>The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down after rain in some parts of Mumbai throughout last night.</p>

<p>A high tide alert has&nbsp;been issued for Tuesday and the disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal&nbsp;Corporation (BMC) also advised not to visit beaches.</p>

<p>As per the BMC, tides of more than 5 meters height are expected on Tuesday.</p>

<p>People residing in the area of Dadar Chowpatty have been given special instructions to avoid the beach area as a&nbsp;huge&nbsp;crowd is expected ahead of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Anniversary on November 6.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours.</p>

<p>&quot;Intermittent rain/thundershowers very likely to occur in Mumbai and suburbs in next 24 hours,&quot; a report of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai stated at 8 am.</p>

<p>&quot;Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 km per hour gusting to 70 km per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours.&quot;<br />
<br />
The Central Railway Mumbai division has&nbsp;updated all the emergency numbers and has also have opened an emergency cell at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan. (Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Cyclone </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Ockhi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">,&nbsp;357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister</a>)</p>

<p>250 railways police force and Maharashtra State Security Force Personnel on crowd management and other related activities, have also been deployed at stations by Central Railway Mumbai Division.</p>

<p>Cyclone Okchi, which originated from Kanyakumari has so far wreaked havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep, Goa&nbsp;and Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>On Monday, a warning of Ockhi&nbsp;hitting&nbsp;<a href="http://Cyclone Ockhi expected to make landfall in Gujarat, Maharashtra">Maharashtra and South Gujarat</a> in the next 24 hours, were issued by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). (Also read : <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Cyclone </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">Ockhi</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-357-fishermen-rescued-so-far-25779">,&nbsp;Indian Navy finds 9 Kochi fishermen missing for 15 days</a>)</p>

<p>Thane and Navi Mumbai were lashed by heavy rains on Monday night.</p>

<p>According to reports, 19 people have been killed and several are still missing in the sea.</p>

<p>(With inputs from news agencies)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


On Monday, warnings of Ockhi to hit Maharashtra and South Gujarat in next 24 hours, were issued by?Indian Metrological Department(IMD)

Schools and colleges will remain shut in Mumbai metropolitan region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts due to cyclone Ockhi warnings. Maharashtra's Education and Sports minister Vinod Tawde announced the news on Twitter Precautionary holiday declared for schools in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Ratnagiri, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains — Vinod Tawde (@TawdeVinod) December 4, 2017 × Areas near the metropolis and the Mumbai-Pune highway witnessed a hailstorm today. The traffic on Eastern and Western Express Highways in Mumbai has slowed down after rain in some parts of Mumbai throughout last night. A high tide alert has been issued for Tuesday and the disaster management unit of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also advised not to visit beaches. As per the BMC, tides of more than 5 meters height are expected on Tuesday. People residing in the area of Dadar Chowpatty have been given special instructions to avoid the beach area as a huge crowd is expected ahead of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Anniversary on November 6. The weather department has forecast intermittent rains in Mumbai and suburbs in the next 24 hours. "Intermittent rain/thundershowers very likely to occur in Mumbai and suburbs in next 24 hours," a report of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Mumbai stated at 8 am. "Heavy rainfall is likely at a few places with squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 km per hour gusting to 70 km per hour very likely along coastal area in next 24 hours." The Central Railway Mumbai division has updated all the emergency numbers and has also have opened an emergency cell at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan. (Also read: Cyclone Ockhi, 357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister) 250 railways police force and Maharashtra State Security Force Personnel on crowd management and other related activities, have also been deployed at stations by Central Railway Mumbai Division. Cyclone Okchi, which originated from Kanyakumari has so far wreaked havoc in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep, Goa and Sri Lanka. On Monday, a warning of Ockhi hitting Maharashtra and South Gujarat in the next 24 hours, were issued by the Indian Metrological Department (IMD). (Also read : Cyclone Ockhi, Indian Navy finds 9 Kochi fishermen missing for 15 days) Thane and Navi Mumbai were lashed by heavy rains on Monday night. According to reports, 19 people have been killed and several are still missing in the sea. (With inputs from news agencies)

Cyclone Okchi: Hailstorm near Mumbai, schools colleges shut today

<p>Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s niece Deepa Jayakumar has filed nomination for&nbsp;Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar by-election.</p>

<p>RK Nagar has been the constituency of J.Jayalalitha for two terms.</p>

<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">&nbsp;in the constituency </a>will be held on December 21.</p>

<p>The counting will take place on December 24.</p>

<p>Also&nbsp;read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ttv-dinakaran-to-contest-rk-nagar-by-polls-25463" target="_blank"> TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala&#39;s consent</a></p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-actor-vishal-to-enter-fray-in-rk-nagar-bypoll-25698" target="_blank">Tamil actor Vishal to enter fray in RK Nagar </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-actor-vishal-to-enter-fray-in-rk-nagar-bypoll-25698" target="_blank">bypoll</a></p>

<p>The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar constituency earlier this year.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-election-commission-cancels-rk-nagar-bypolls-in-chennai-14360" target="_blank">elections were cancelled after allegations&nbsp;</a>of cash against votes had surfaced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The?bypoll?for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo will be held on December 21

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar has filed nomination for Chennai's RK Nagar by-election. RK Nagar has been the constituency of J.Jayalalitha for two terms. The bypoll in the constituency will be held on December 21. The counting will take place on December 24. Also read: TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala's consent Also read: Tamil actor Vishal to enter fray in RK Nagar bypoll The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency earlier this year. The elections were cancelled after allegations of cash against votes had surfaced. The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides. It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

Jayalalithaa's niece Deepa Jayakumar files nomination for RK Nagar polls

<p>Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;had been rescued.</p>

<p>Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation.</p>

<p>Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ockhicyclone-may-now-hit-gujarat-coast-25758">Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast</a></p>

<p>&quot;Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi,&quot; ANI reported Sitharaman as saying.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/30-died-due-to-cyclone-ockhi-report-25771">30 die&nbsp;due to Cyclone Ockhi </a></p>

<p>Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cyclone-ockhi-likely-to-weaken-indian-meteorological-department-25709">Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Nirmala SItharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Sunday that, so far, 357 fishermen who had been stranded at sea due to Cyclone Ockhi had been rescued. Sitharaman had reached Kanyakumari on Sunday to take stock of the situation. Ockhi has ravaged the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Lakshadweep Islands. It had also been expected to hit the coast of Gujarat. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi may now hit Gujarat coast "Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force are still engaged in rescue operations to save the lives of fishermen affected by Cyclone Ockhi," ANI reported Sitharaman as saying. "Information has also been passed to an international safety network and foreign ships to help rescue our fishermen. Meanwhile, 68 boats have reached Maharashtra coast out of which two boats were from Tamil Nadu and others from Kerala," she added. Also read: 30 die due to Cyclone Ockhi Sitharaman added that the search area was being widened since a number of coastal villages were reporting that fishermen who had ventured out to sea as much as 15 days ago had not yet returned. Also read: Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken, says Indian Meteorological Department

Cyclone Ockhi: 357 fishermen rescued so far, says defence minister

<p>The cyclone Ockhi&nbsp;is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).</p>

<p>&quot;The very severe cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1&ordm; N and Longitude 69.7&ordm; E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning,&quot; said IMD.</p>

<p>Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu &amp; Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu &amp; South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/n06CR1giuC">pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937222597896372224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The storm has so far claimed 18 lives&nbsp;and has affected&nbsp;Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm.</p>

<p>Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a &#39;national calamity&#39;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OckhiCyclone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OckhiCyclone</a> a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan <a href="https://t.co/pyCrT3dkva">pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937006103254130688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships.</p>

<p>Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936977995469791232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives.</p>

<p>It has intensified into &quot;severe cyclonic storm&quot;&nbsp;with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km.</p>

<p>The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.</p>


The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected?Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka.

The cyclone Ockhi is likely to lose its intensity gradually from Sunday, said the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). "The very severe cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' over Lakshadweep area and adjoining Southeast Arabian Sea further moved northwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past 6 hours and lay centred at 2330 hrs IST of December 2, 2017 over the southeast Arabian Sea near Latitude 11.1º N and Longitude 69.7º E, about 330 km west of Amini Divi. The system is very likely to weaken gradually from today the December 3, 2017, morning," said IMD. Moderate rain is also expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, India Meteorological Department Moderate rain is expected at a few places in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry during next 24 hours. Fishermen are asked not to venture into deep sea of north Tamil Nadu & South Andhra coast till December 25th: S Balachandran, MET department #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/n06CR1giuC — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × The storm has so far claimed 18 lives and has affected Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshwadeep and neighbouring Sri Lanka. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have declared compensation to the families of those who died in the storm. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also decided to ask the Centre to declare the Ockhi cyclone as a 'national calamity'. Kerala govt has decided to ask the Union government to declare #OckhiCyclone a national calamity. The Chief Secretary has been entrusted to prepare the memorandum in this regard: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/pyCrT3dkva — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × On Saturday, several stranded fishermen were rescued during the massive search operations carried out by INS ships. Along with air effort, six warships and two coast guard ships were deployed for the rescue operation, confirmed Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Sitharaman further added that, 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from Tamil Nadu have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon. Claims of thousand fishermen stranded is false. Correct figures- 97 are yet to be rescued, 71 from TN have been rescued till now. The Coast Guard is at it, with all its strength to rescue the rest. Hoping for good news soon: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The cyclone, which originated from Kanyakumari, made its way to Lakshadweep islands on Saturday morning causing massive destruction and claiming 14 lives. It has intensified into "severe cyclonic storm" with wind reaching up to the speed of 60 to 70 km. The deadly storm had also killed seven people in neighbouring Sri Lanka and affected the lives of nearly 20,000 people.

Cyclone Ockhi likely to weaken: Indian Meteorological Department

<p>According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala.</p>

<p>Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised&nbsp;in Tamil Nadu.</p>

<p>About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi&nbsp;cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937314492358078464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a> <a href="https://t.co/7XAN1QGsc4">pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937320273346420736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on November 30.</p>

<p>Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.</p>


The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala

According to a report released by the State Revenue Control Room, about 690 people have been rescued so far from the Ockhi cyclone in Tamil Nadu while 197 from Kerala. The total number of people that died due to the natural disaster was reported to be 19 in Tamil Nadu while 11 in Kerala. Further, the report indicated 96 missing and 63 hospitalised in Tamil Nadu. About 74 houses were completely damaged while 1122 were partially damaged due to the Ockhi cyclone that hit the Indian states- Tamil Nadu and Kerala on November 30. A total of 690 people have been rescued so far. Total number of deaths 19, 96 missing, 63 hospitalised, 74 houses fully damaged, 1122 housed partially damaged.: State state Revenue control room #TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Kerala: Rescue operation underway in Trivandrum. A total of 197 people have been rescued and 11 deaths have been reported so far in the city. #CycloneOckhi pic.twitter.com/7XAN1QGsc4 — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Torrential rain pounded the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on November 30. Subsequently, the cyclone became a severe cyclonic storm on the next day, moving to the Arabian Sea.

30 died due to Cyclone Ockhi : Report

<p>Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="ta">??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936944013306822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted &quot;I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,&#39;&#39; he wrote on his official Twitter handle.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="ml">??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kerala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kerala</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneOckhi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneOckhi</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/936940064340242432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


"I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' Rahul Gandhi wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday asked the Tamil Nadu and Kerala state governments to step-up relief measures even as protests continued in coastal areas over the tardy response of government agencies. ??????? ??????????????? ????? ??????? ????????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ??????????. ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ?????? ???????? ?? ????? ???? ??????????????????.#TamilNadu #CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × Expressing his condolences to those who died due to Cyclone Ockhi, Rahul Gandhi tweeted "I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their dear ones due to Cyclone Ockhi,'' he wrote on his official Twitter handle. ??? ?????????????????????? ???????? ????????????????????? ??????????? ????? ????? ?????????????. ??? ????????? ????? ??????? ?????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??????? ???? ??????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ?????????????????. #Kerala#CycloneOckhi — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) December 2, 2017 × The Congress leader wrote the same message in Tamil and Malayalam in an indication of two southern states hit by the cyclone.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rahul Gandhi asks state governments to step-up rescue efforts

<p>A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka, uprooting trees and cutting power for millions amid warnings on Friday that the storm would intensify.</p>

<p>Disaster officials said nine people were killed in India and seven in neighbouring Sri Lanka, most crushed by trees ripped up by destructive winds raging at 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour.</p>

<p>Weather forecaster Skymet has issued warning for Lakshadweep and Kerala.</p>

<p>Here is the possible route the cyclone will take over the weekend:</p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://www.skymetweather.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Cyclone-Ockhi-Path1.gif" /></p>


A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka.

A powerful cyclone has killed at least 16 people across India and Sri Lanka, uprooting trees and cutting power for millions amid warnings on Friday that the storm would intensify. Disaster officials said nine people were killed in India and seven in neighbouring Sri Lanka, most crushed by trees ripped up by destructive winds raging at 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour. Weather forecaster Skymet has issued warning for Lakshadweep and Kerala. Here is the possible route the cyclone will take over the weekend:

Possible track of Cyclone Ockhi

<p>This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before, Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party, was estranged like Sasikala. After reading this history it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>After grieving over Amma&#39;s death Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa became interim general secretary of AIADMK.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=After grieving over Amma's death Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa became interim general secretary of AIADMK." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>5 December 2016 was a turning point in Tamil Nadu&#39;s politics as AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa passed away. Paneerselvam, a trusted lieutenant of Amma who already served as the chief minister twice for a short time, was sworn in as the chief minister again. After grieving over Amma&#39;s death, Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa, became interim general secretary of AIADMK on 5 February 2016.</p>

<p>Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao accepted the resignation of OPS on the very next day, thus, paving the way for Chinamma (Sasikala) to put her foot in Amma&#39;s boot. High potential political drama commenced as soon as OPS claimed he was forced to resign and Jayalalithaa&#39;s soul asked him to speak the truth.</p>

<p>Sasikala still seemed to hold the grip over her party until she was convicted by Honourable Supreme Court on the 21-year long Disproportionate Asset case. Before her way to prison, Sasikala was able to make her loyalist Edapaddi K Palaniswamy the chief minister and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran as the deputy general secretary of AIADMK. RK Nagar by-poll was necessary since the seat was vacated due to Amma&#39;s death. Meanwhile, OPS was able to garner some support amongst the veterans of the party.</p>

<p>Thus, the Dravidian party was divided into two parts - OPS lead AIADMK (Puratchi Thalivi Amma) with E. Madhusudanan as a candidate and electric pole its election symbol. Another camp was rather powerful which was headed by Sasikala and her rubber stamp Chief Minister EK Palaniswamy with TTV Dhinakaran as a candidate and a hat as election symbol. But TTV Dhinakaran was charged with bribing the people which made the election commission to delay the by-poll.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as Chief Minister and OPS as his deputy and Sasikala and her family members to be removed from the party.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as Chief Minister and OPS as his deputy and Sasikala and her family members to be removed from the party." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>21 August was perhaps a day of surprise as far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned because EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as chief minister and OPS as his deputy. With the merger, Sasikala and her family members were removed from the party.</p>

<p>Jayalalithaa will be their eternal general secretary and there will be more political responsibilities given to OPS and administrative responsibility will be shouldered by EPS. By mid-September, Sasikala was officially sacked and all postings made by her, including elevation of her nephew as party&#39;s deputy general secretary, were squashed.</p>

<p>Although the stars were not in favour of Sasikala, there was still a silver lining for her political career. The first silver lining was that her nephew had the support&nbsp;of odd 19 MLAs. Those MLAs submitted letters to TN Governor expressing their lack of confidence in CM Palaniswamy. But this silver lining soon darkened as the speaker disqualified 18 MLAs under Anti-Defection rules of TN Legislative Assembly.</p>

<p>The high court is also analysing this move, but&nbsp;anyway, this move of speaker lowered the halfway mark in the assembly. Another silver lining to Sasikala was the frozen &#39;two leaves&#39; symbol of AIADMK. The two leaf symbol is necessary for any of the faction to win the match.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>The high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>But this silver lining also darkened as Election Commission bestowed this two leaf symbol to EPS-OPS faction keeping Sasikala and her family at a bay. The position of Sasikala faction will be more visible in coming days as re-election for RK Nagar constituency will take place on 21 December of this year.</p>

<p>This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party was estranged like Sasikala in these days. MG Ramachandran formed ADMK owing to ideological differences between him and M. Karunanidhi.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki.</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki." target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">&times;</a></div>
</div>
</div>

<p>MGR served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu twice. After his death in December 1987, the party was divided into two factions one under MGR&#39;s widow Janaki Ramachandran and another under Jayalalithaa. Janaki was sworn in as CM for 24 days but lost the trust vote on the house floor.</p>

<p>Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol, giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. But both the faction suffered&nbsp;defeat as M Karunanidhi-led DMK swept the assembly elections. After that Janaki Ramachandran tendered her resignation and the two factions were unified under Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>After reading this history, it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. Thing is that we are not learning from history. The reason for learning history is to avoid old mistakes and learn from them.</p>

<p>I think Sasikala didn&#39;t take a lesson from her party&#39;s history. Another point is that the 21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us. I hope other parties and our dear voters would learn from it.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>


21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us.

This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before, Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party, was estranged like Sasikala. After reading this history it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. After grieving over Amma's death Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa became interim general secretary of AIADMK. × 5 December 2016 was a turning point in Tamil Nadu's politics as AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa passed away. Paneerselvam, a trusted lieutenant of Amma who already served as the chief minister twice for a short time, was sworn in as the chief minister again. After grieving over Amma's death, Sasikala Natrajan, a close confidante of Jayalalithaa, became interim general secretary of AIADMK on 5 February 2016. Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao accepted the resignation of OPS on the very next day, thus, paving the way for Chinamma (Sasikala) to put her foot in Amma's boot. High potential political drama commenced as soon as OPS claimed he was forced to resign and Jayalalithaa's soul asked him to speak the truth. Sasikala still seemed to hold the grip over her party until she was convicted by Honourable Supreme Court on the 21-year long Disproportionate Asset case. Before her way to prison, Sasikala was able to make her loyalist Edapaddi K Palaniswamy the chief minister and her nephew TTV Dhinakaran as the deputy general secretary of AIADMK. RK Nagar by-poll was necessary since the seat was vacated due to Amma's death. Meanwhile, OPS was able to garner some support amongst the veterans of the party. Thus, the Dravidian party was divided into two parts - OPS lead AIADMK (Puratchi Thalivi Amma) with E. Madhusudanan as a candidate and electric pole its election symbol. Another camp was rather powerful which was headed by Sasikala and her rubber stamp Chief Minister EK Palaniswamy with TTV Dhinakaran as a candidate and a hat as election symbol. But TTV Dhinakaran was charged with bribing the people which made the election commission to delay the by-poll. EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as Chief Minister and OPS as his deputy and Sasikala and her family members to be removed from the party. × 21 August was perhaps a day of surprise as far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned because EPS and OPS factions announced their merger by sealing a deal with EPS as chief minister and OPS as his deputy. With the merger, Sasikala and her family members were removed from the party. Jayalalithaa will be their eternal general secretary and there will be more political responsibilities given to OPS and administrative responsibility will be shouldered by EPS. By mid-September, Sasikala was officially sacked and all postings made by her, including elevation of her nephew as party's deputy general secretary, were squashed. Although the stars were not in favour of Sasikala, there was still a silver lining for her political career. The first silver lining was that her nephew had the support of odd 19 MLAs. Those MLAs submitted letters to TN Governor expressing their lack of confidence in CM Palaniswamy. But this silver lining soon darkened as the speaker disqualified 18 MLAs under Anti-Defection rules of TN Legislative Assembly. The high court is also analysing this move, but anyway, this move of speaker lowered the halfway mark in the assembly. Another silver lining to Sasikala was the frozen 'two leaves' symbol of AIADMK. The two leaf symbol is necessary for any of the faction to win the match. The high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. × But this silver lining also darkened as Election Commission bestowed this two leaf symbol to EPS-OPS faction keeping Sasikala and her family at a bay. The position of Sasikala faction will be more visible in coming days as re-election for RK Nagar constituency will take place on 21 December of this year. This high voltage drama of factional feud and struggle over two leaf symbol is primitive in AIADMK. Years before Janaki Ramachandran, wife of MGR the founder of the party was estranged like Sasikala in these days. MG Ramachandran formed ADMK owing to ideological differences between him and M. Karunanidhi. Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. × MGR served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu twice. After his death in December 1987, the party was divided into two factions one under MGR's widow Janaki Ramachandran and another under Jayalalithaa. Janaki was sworn in as CM for 24 days but lost the trust vote on the house floor. Election Commission froze the two leaves symbol (retai ellai) symbol, giving a cock symbol to Jayalalithaa and a pair of pigeon to Janaki. But both the faction suffered defeat as M Karunanidhi-led DMK swept the assembly elections. After that Janaki Ramachandran tendered her resignation and the two factions were unified under Jayalalithaa. After reading this history, it is evident that the recent days experienced the resurgence of Janaki Ramachandran. Thing is that we are not learning from history. The reason for learning history is to avoid old mistakes and learn from them. I think Sasikala didn't take a lesson from her party's history. Another point is that the 21st century India still believe in rhetorics like Amma, Chinamma, Behenji, Netaji, Kalingar, etc. The habit of Indians to vote for such rhetorics paved the way for people like Sasikala and Janaki to rule over us. I hope other parties and our dear voters would learn from it. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Sasikala's fate strangely resembles Janaki Ramachandran

<p>Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has begun international arbitration against India to seek more than $770 million in a dispute over unpaid state incentives, according to a person familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Reuters.</p>

<p>In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state.</p>

<p>According to the notice, Nissan said repeated requests to state officials for the payment, due in 2015, were overlooked and even a plea by the company&rsquo;s chairman, Carlos Ghosn, to Modi in March of last year seeking federal assistance did not yield any results.</p>

<p>The notice, sent by Nissan&rsquo;s lawyers in July 2016, was followed by more than a dozen meetings between federal and state officials and Nissan executives, said the person familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named as it is not public.</p>

<p>The federal officials, from several ministries, assured Nissan the payment would be made, and it should not bring a legal case. But, in August, Nissan gave India an ultimatum to appoint an arbitrator, the person said, adding the first arbitration hearing will be in mid-December.</p>

<p>A Nissan spokesman said the company was &ldquo;committed to working with the government of India toward a resolution,&rdquo; but did not elaborate.</p>

<p>A senior Tamil Nadu state official said the government hoped to resolve the dispute without having to go to international arbitration. &ldquo;There is no discrepancy with regard to the amount due, and we are trying hard to resolve the issue,&rdquo; the official told Reuters.</p>

<p>Modi&rsquo;s office did not respond to an email seeking comment.</p>

<p>The case, brought against India for alleged violations of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, is the latest in a string of international arbitration proceedings against the country by investors concerned about issues ranging from retrospective taxation to payments disputes.</p>

<p>There are over 20 cases pending against India, among the highest against any single nation.</p>

<p>The dispute between Nissan and the Tamil Nadu government also shows the challenges companies face in India and how local disputes could undermine the Modi government&rsquo;s efforts to attract foreign investment and create new jobs.</p>

<p><b>Growing losses</b></p>

<p>Several automakers, including Ford and Hyundai Motor, have set up production hubs in Tamil Nadu, giving state capital Chennai the nickname; the &lsquo;Detroit of South Asia&rsquo;.</p>

<p>In 2008, when Nissan and its global alliance partner, French carmaker Renault, agreed to invest in setting up a car plant in Chennai, the state government promised several incentives including some tax refunds.</p>

<p>Over seven years, Nissan and Renault invested 61 billion rupees ($946 million) and set up a plant with annual production capacity of 480,000 vehicles, which entitled them to receive the incentives in 2015, according to the legal notice.</p>

<p>In that notice, Nissan&rsquo;s lawyers said the state government&rsquo;s decision to not pay was &ldquo;arbitrary&rdquo;, and Nissan has &ldquo;incurred significant and increasing losses&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Nissan did not specify the business impact in the 8-page notice, but said in 2008 that state incentives were critical to the project&rsquo;s viability and sustainability.</p>

<p>The carmaker, in its notice, is claiming 29 billion rupees in unpaid incentives and 21 billion rupees in damages, plus interest and other costs.</p>

<p>Nissan, which has less than a 2 percent share of India&rsquo;s passenger car market, builds and sells the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Terrano sport-utility vehicle. It also sells low-cost cars under its Datsun brand.</p>

<p>The company spokesman said Nissan has created more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in India.</p>


In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has begun international arbitration against India to seek more than $770 million in a dispute over unpaid state incentives, according to a person familiar with the matter and documents reviewed by Reuters. In a legal notice sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, Nissan sought payment of incentives due from the Tamil Nadu government as part of a 2008 agreement to set up a car manufacturing plant in the southern state. According to the notice, Nissan said repeated requests to state officials for the payment, due in 2015, were overlooked and even a plea by the company’s chairman, Carlos Ghosn, to Modi in March of last year seeking federal assistance did not yield any results. The notice, sent by Nissan’s lawyers in July 2016, was followed by more than a dozen meetings between federal and state officials and Nissan executives, said the person familiar with the matter, who did not want to be named as it is not public. The federal officials, from several ministries, assured Nissan the payment would be made, and it should not bring a legal case. But, in August, Nissan gave India an ultimatum to appoint an arbitrator, the person said, adding the first arbitration hearing will be in mid-December. A Nissan spokesman said the company was “committed to working with the government of India toward a resolution,” but did not elaborate. A senior Tamil Nadu state official said the government hoped to resolve the dispute without having to go to international arbitration. “There is no discrepancy with regard to the amount due, and we are trying hard to resolve the issue,” the official told Reuters. Modi’s office did not respond to an email seeking comment. The case, brought against India for alleged violations of its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, is the latest in a string of international arbitration proceedings against the country by investors concerned about issues ranging from retrospective taxation to payments disputes. There are over 20 cases pending against India, among the highest against any single nation. The dispute between Nissan and the Tamil Nadu government also shows the challenges companies face in India and how local disputes could undermine the Modi government’s efforts to attract foreign investment and create new jobs. Growing losses Several automakers, including Ford and Hyundai Motor, have set up production hubs in Tamil Nadu, giving state capital Chennai the nickname; the ‘Detroit of South Asia’. In 2008, when Nissan and its global alliance partner, French carmaker Renault, agreed to invest in setting up a car plant in Chennai, the state government promised several incentives including some tax refunds. Over seven years, Nissan and Renault invested 61 billion rupees ($946 million) and set up a plant with annual production capacity of 480,000 vehicles, which entitled them to receive the incentives in 2015, according to the legal notice. In that notice, Nissan’s lawyers said the state government’s decision to not pay was “arbitrary”, and Nissan has “incurred significant and increasing losses”. Nissan did not specify the business impact in the 8-page notice, but said in 2008 that state incentives were critical to the project’s viability and sustainability. The carmaker, in its notice, is claiming 29 billion rupees in unpaid incentives and 21 billion rupees in damages, plus interest and other costs. Nissan, which has less than a 2 percent share of India’s passenger car market, builds and sells the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Terrano sport-utility vehicle. It also sells low-cost cars under its Datsun brand. The company spokesman said Nissan has created more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in India.

Nissan sues India over outstanding dues; seeks over $770 million

<p>As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into &#39;Cyclone Ockhi&#39; on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea.</p>

<p>Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in &quot;maximum effort&quot; to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation.</p>

<p>At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network.</p>

<p>Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts.</p>

<p>He also denied any laxity in the rescue works.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.</p>


Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing

As many as 14 people were killed - 10 in Tamil Nadu and four in Kerala - as torrential rain pounded the southern districts of both the States after a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal transformed into 'Cyclone Ockhi' on Thursday and became a severe cyclonic storm on Friday, moving to the Arabian Sea. Even though the sea continued to be rough, rescue operations are going on in full swing. The Navy is putting in "maximum effort" to rescue fishermen from the sea which is very rough under the influence of Cyclone Ockhi. Tamil Nadu government today said over 1,200 persons affected by Ockhi cyclone in Kanniyakumari and Tirunelveli districts have been lodged in relief camps, as Chief Minister K Palaniswami took stock of the situation. At a review meeting here, the Chief Minister asked officials to expedite all works undertaken in the affected areas, even as scores of personnel have been deployed to address various issues, including restoring the power network. Following the torrential downpour, many water bodies in the aforesaid districts were brimming and therefore the Chief Minister has asked all flood-prevention measures be in place. These included monitoring lakes and shutters of water bodies. Speaking to reporters at Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said senior IAS officials and Ministers have been deputed to Kanniyakumari to oversee rescue and rehabilitation efforts. He also denied any laxity in the rescue works. Meanwhile, in Lakshadweep, orders have been issued to evacuate people from low-lying areas.

Cyclone Ockhi: 14 killed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala as heavy downpour continues

<p>The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll.</p>

<p>His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said.</p>

<p>Madhusudhanan, the party&#39;s Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK&#39;s &quot;unanimous&quot; choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>DMK&#39;s M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray.</p>

<p>The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution.</p>

<p>Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp.</p>

<p>The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the &#39;Two Leaves&#39; symbol to the unified AIADMK.</p>

<p>The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.</p>


Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's 'unanimous' choice, said Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami

The ruling AIADMK today announced E Madhusudhanan as its candidate for the December 21 Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly by-poll. His name was finalised from a list of aspirants, who had applied expressing willingness to contest the by-poll, a party release here said. Madhusudhanan, the party's Presidium Chairman, was the AIADMK's "unanimous" choice, the release from party coordinator and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and co-coordinator and Chief Minister K Palaniswami said. DMK's M Maruthu Ganesh and sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran are also in the fray. The by-poll was earlier scheduled to be held on April 12. However, the polls were rescinded by the Election Commission following complaints of money distribution. Madhusudhanan was then the candidate of the Panneerselvam-led rival AIADMK faction, while Dhinakaran was contesting on the then AIADMK (Amma) camp. The factions led by Panneerselvam and Palaniswami later merged in August even as the Election Commission awarded the 'Two Leaves' symbol to the unified AIADMK. The RK Nagar seat fell vacant last December following the death of local MLA and then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on December 5, 2016.

AIAMDK names Madhusudhanan as candidate for RK Nagar by-poll

<p>Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm &#39;Ockhi&#39; on Thursday.</p>

<p>Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours.</p>

<p>The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2.</p>

<p>A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours.</p>

<p>Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said.</p>

<p>Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. &quot;It will hit the islands on December 2,&quot; Rajeevan said.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury.</p>

<p>It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres.</p>

<p>Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work.</p>

<p>Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places.</p>

<p>He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply.</p>

<p>Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains.</p>

<p>Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur.</p>

<p>Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said.</p>

<p>In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies.</p>

<p>The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram.</p>

<p>The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said.</p>

<p>&quot;Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic,&quot; it said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector.</p>

<p>Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted.</p>

<p>Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return.</p>

<p>Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam.</p>

<p>The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.&nbsp;</p>


The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2

Torrential rains pounded southern districts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Kerala crippling life and claiming eight lives -- four each in the two states -- as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal intensified into cyclonic storm 'Ockhi' on Thursday. Both the state governments put the official machinery on high alert as the cyclone, lying 60 kms south of Kanyakumari, was forecast to dump more rains in south Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the next 24 hours. The storm was expected to move toward the Lakshadweep archipelago and hit the islands on December 2. A bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department said gale wind speed reaching 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph was very likely along and off South Kerala during next 48 hours and along and off south Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours. Fishermen in coastal regions in southern parts of the two states were advised not to venture into sea for the next 24 hours, it said. Madhavan Rajeevan, Secretary in the Earth Sciences ministry, said in New Delhi that Lakshadweep in the southern part of the Arabian Sea will start experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from tomorrow. "It will hit the islands on December 2," Rajeevan said. Tamil Nadu government deployed state and national disaster response force teams in Kanyakumari district, which bore the brunt of the rain fury. It asked officials to shelter people living in low lying areas in the southern districts in multi-purpose evacuation centres. Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who reviewed the situation, said in Chennai state Ministers and senior IAS officials have been assigned to affected districts to monitor relief work. Also, electricity personnel with necessary equipment have been rushed to restore power distribution that was affected due to trees falling over electric poles, Palaniswami said. Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management R B Udhaya Kumar, deputed to Kanyakumari to take up relief work on a war footing, said people in the affected areas have been shifted to safer places. He said nearly 3,000 electric poles have been uprooted in the district, affecting power supply. Besides Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts were among those battered by the rains. Educational institutions remained closed in southern districts such as Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Viruthunagar and Thanjavur. Three men and a woman were killed when trees fell on them in different areas in Kanyakumari district, officials said. In Kerala, the state government put the official machinery on a high alert and ordered the evacuation of people living within 100 metres from the coast and also sought help from the Navy, Coast Guard and the Air Force to assist people in distress. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held discussions through video conferencing with the Collectors of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alapuzha, Pathnamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam districts and gave them necessary directions to take steps by coordinating various government agencies. The state reported four rain-related deaths, including an elderly couple who were electrocuted when they came into contact with a snapped live wire in front of their house at Kattakada near Thiruvananthapuram. The rains accompanied by gusty winds left a trail of destruction in Kanyakumari district, in the southernmost tip of the country, uprooting more than 500 trees, State Disaster Management Agency said. "Do not come out of homes in Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, and Tirunelveli stay safe indoors and take precautions do not panic," it said in a tweet. Southern Railway said it has partially cancelled some trains in Tirunelveli-Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram sector. Due to bad weather, a scheduled two-day programme of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, which was to begin tomorrow in Kerala, has been cancelled, party sources said. Thiruvananthapuram and its coastal stretch were witnessing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds since this morning. In several places, electric posts got uprooted. Vizhinjam coastal police said they received information that at least 57 fishermen, who had put out to sea from Thumba to Pozhiyur since yesterday, were yet to return. Twentynine traditional boats which had set out from Poonthura were also out in the sea, police said. A Kochi report said Navy deployed four ships and two aircraft to assist in the search and rescue of fishermen onboard six boats and a marine Engineering vessel reported to be missing in the sea near Vizhinjam. The Southern Naval Command was also gearing up for any humanitarian assistance and disaster relief that may be required in view of the cyclone in the southern parts of Kerala, a Defence release said.

Cyclone Ockhi: Rain pounds Tamil Nadu, Kerala, 8 dead

<p>A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29).</p>

<p>The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here.</p>

<p>It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said.</p>

<p>Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added.</p>

<p>Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said.</p>

<p>&quot;Fishermen are advised not to venture&quot; into the sea for their vocation, it added.</p>

<p>According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.</p>


Heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar

A depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal will bring heavy rains to south Tamil Nadu, the regional weather office said on Thursday (November 29). The system lay centered at around 500 km south-south east of Kanniyakumari, the Regional Meteorological Centre said in a release here. It was likely to move northwestwards in the next two days and under its influence, heavy to very heavy rains were likely in one or two places in South Tamil Nadu such as Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and Viruthunagar, it said. Heavy rains were also likely in parts of Nagapattinam, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur, it added. Further, squally winds reaching 45-55 kmph was very likely along and off South Tamil Nadu during the next 48 hours, and the sea would be rough, it said. "Fishermen are advised not to venture" into the sea for their vocation, it added. According to RMC weather data at 1730 hrs of today, Pamban in Ramanathapuram district recorded 2.9 cm of rainfall, followed by Karaikal at 2.6 cm.

Tamil Nadu to get heavy rain from Bay of Bengal depression

<p>&nbsp;TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction.</p>

<p>The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction <a href="https://t.co/dNYKpZUBsY">pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/935846273877393408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank">bypoll</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rk-nagar-bye-poll-on-december-21-counting-on-december-24-24991" target="_blank"> for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice</a> to the Assembly will be held on December 21.</p>

<p>The counting will take place on December 24.</p>

<p>The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai&#39;s RK Nagar constituency earlier this year.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-election-commission-cancels-rk-nagar-bypolls-in-chennai-14360" target="_blank">elections were cancelled after allegations </a>of cash against votes had surfaced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The decision has come with the consent of VK Sasikala

TTV Dinakaran will contest the upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar, Chennai on behalf of the TTV-led AIADMK faction. The decision was reportedly made with the consent of VK Sasikala who is in jail. With the consent of VK Sasikala, TTV Dinakaran will be our candidate for upcoming by-elections in RK Nagar(Chennai): Anbalagan,TTV faction pic.twitter.com/dNYKpZUBsY — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2017 × The bypoll for the constituency from where the late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa was elected twice to the Assembly will be held on December 21. The counting will take place on December 24. The Election Commission had cancelled the by-elections in Chennai's RK Nagar constituency earlier this year. The elections were cancelled after allegations of cash against votes had surfaced. The Election Commission had then said that the by-elections will be conducted when the effect created by the distribution of money and gifts subsides. It added that with the passage of the time the atmosphere in the constituency will become conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. The need for conducting by-elections in the constituency arose after the death of J.Jayalalithaa.

TTV Dinakaran to contest RK Nagar by-polls, with Sasikala's consent

<p>A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa&nbsp;has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha&#39;s body to conduct the DNA test.</p>

<p>The woman identified as Amrutha and is represented by Lawyer Indira Jaising who has claimed that Amrutha was born in 1980 and also she has some fond memories of Jayalalitha.</p>

<p>The petition is filed under Article 32 of the Constitution and it asks the court to permit the family members of&nbsp;Jayalalitha to cremate her body as per the rites, rituals, and customs of Vaishnava Iyengar-Brahim community to which Jayalalitha and her family members belong.</p>

<p>The petition says &ldquo;Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen is entitled to the right to live with dignity and it includes the right to know...the petitioner wants to know her identity through her natural/biological mother.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Supreme Court refused to take this petition forward but it allowed the woman, the liberty to pursue other remedies in law.</p>

<p>The bench was headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta.</p>

<p>The petition has also sought urgency because these rituals have to be done before the expiry of one year from Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s death on December 5.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa?has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha's body to conduct the DNA test.

A woman claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has filed a written petition seeking a direction to exhume Jayalalitha's body to conduct the DNA test. The woman identified as Amrutha and is represented by Lawyer Indira Jaising who has claimed that Amrutha was born in 1980 and also she has some fond memories of Jayalalitha. The petition is filed under Article 32 of the Constitution and it asks the court to permit the family members of Jayalalitha to cremate her body as per the rites, rituals, and customs of Vaishnava Iyengar-Brahim community to which Jayalalitha and her family members belong. The petition says “Under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen is entitled to the right to live with dignity and it includes the right to know...the petitioner wants to know her identity through her natural/biological mother.” However, Supreme Court refused to take this petition forward but it allowed the woman, the liberty to pursue other remedies in law. The bench was headed by Justice Madan B. Lokur and Deepak Gupta. The petition has also sought urgency because these rituals have to be done before the expiry of one year from Jayalalithaa’s death on December 5.

Supreme Court rejects petition of woman claiming to be Jayalalitha's daughter

<p>V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aiadmk-poll-symbol-impasse-sasikala-gets-hat-ops-gets-electricity-pole-13696"> E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction</a>(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has &quot;orally informed&quot;&nbsp;the party that &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol has been granted to it.</p>

<p>Maitreyan said he waiting for the &quot;hard copy&quot; from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/neither-sasikala-nor-panneerselvam-can-claim-aiadmk-symbol-election-commission-13649">the&nbsp;Election Commission</a>.</p>

<p>&quot;Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy,&quot; Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said.</p>

<p>Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol case.</p>

<p>&quot;We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration,&quot; Palaniswami added.</p>

<p>The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission.</p>

<p>After former chief minister&nbsp;J.Jayalalithaa&#39;s death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.</p>


Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the ?Election Commission.

V Maitreyan, AIADMK MP from E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam faction(EPS-OPS) said today the Election Commission has "orally informed" the party that "two leaves" symbol has been granted to it. Maitreyan said he waiting for the "hard copy" from the Election Commission. "Election Commission has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy," Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said. Both factions of AIADMK, E K Palaniswami-O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran had earlier filed a written submission in Election Commission in the "two leaves" symbol case. "We had facts on our side and the majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. All this was taken into consideration," Palaniswami added. The faction, led by party leader TTV Dhinakaran had filed 111-page written submission while the group led by Tamil Nadu chief minister E K Palaniswami and Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam had filed 82-page submission to plead their case to the Election Commission. After former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa's death last year both factions in the AIADMK had approached the Election Commission to grant them the party symbol.

Election Commission has informed 'two leaves' symbol belongs to EPS-OPS faction: AIADMK MP

<p>A 55-year old man succumbed to burns at a hospital two days after he attempted self-immolation in front of the house of a local AIADMK leader here accusing her of cheating him of Rs 11 lakh.</p>

<p>Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said.</p>

<p>A case has been registered against the AIADMK Namakkal women&#39;s wing secretary Kalyani for allegedly abetting the suicide after the victim gave a dying declaration before an Erode Magistrate, they said.</p>

<p>Police said the woman was absconding and further investigation was on.</p>

<p>According to the FIR, Kalyani had taken Rs.11 lakh from Thangaraj in July last year promising to get a government job for his nephew but did not honour her assurance.</p>

<p>Upset over this, Thangaraj allegedly doused himself with kerosene in front of Kalyani&#39;s house and set himself ablaze.</p>


Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said

A 55-year old man succumbed to burns at a hospital two days after he attempted self-immolation in front of the house of a local AIADMK leader here accusing her of cheating him of Rs 11 lakh. Thangaraj died at the Government Hospital in Erode, about 50 km from here, where he was admitted after he set himself ablaze on November 18, police said. A case has been registered against the AIADMK Namakkal women's wing secretary Kalyani for allegedly abetting the suicide after the victim gave a dying declaration before an Erode Magistrate, they said. Police said the woman was absconding and further investigation was on. According to the FIR, Kalyani had taken Rs.11 lakh from Thangaraj in July last year promising to get a government job for his nephew but did not honour her assurance. Upset over this, Thangaraj allegedly doused himself with kerosene in front of Kalyani's house and set himself ablaze.

Man who attempted self-immolation over 'cheating' by local AIADMK leader succumbs

<p>Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday held Sasikala and members of her family responsible for the Income Tax raids at Poes Garden. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said Sasikala and her family members have brought &#39;bad name to the party&#39;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is the wrong doing of a family (Sasikala) which has brought bad name for the party and that is why IT raids are happening.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/vfRY9TFCAe">pic.twitter.com/vfRY9TFCAe</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931910113585020928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;During I-T raids in Poes Garden, Amma&#39;s room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden &amp; state government. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre,&quot; the reports said quoting Palaniswami.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">During IT raids in Poes Garden, Amma&#39;s room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden &amp; state govt. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/Kt4sqHq0te">pic.twitter.com/Kt4sqHq0te</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931910657196228608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Responding to TTV Dhinakaran&#39;s charge that he did not express his opposition to the IT raids, the CM asked&nbsp;&quot;Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in the party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma&#39;s death, he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me,&quot; he added.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma&#39;s death he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai <a href="https://t.co/uB3wpHWvDU">pic.twitter.com/uB3wpHWvDU</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931911306268966912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>A few days after conducting raids for almost a week at different&nbsp;places owned by&nbsp;jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department officials arrived at former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa&#39;s Poes Garden house in Chennai and conducted a search. During the search, the Income Tax officials said to have seized two pen drives and two laptops.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The officials conducted a thorough search in the two rooms used by Sasikala and a room used by her personal secretary S Poongundran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Madras High Court on Friday upheld the CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala&#39;s sister in a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/it-raid-on-sasikala-and-kins-reveals-rs-1430-crore-unaccounted-for-investments-24174">Rs.1400 crore</a>&nbsp;disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.</p>


The Madras High Court on Friday upheld a CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's sister in a Rs.1400 crore disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Saturday held Sasikala and members of her family responsible for the Income Tax raids at Poes Garden. Speaking to reporters in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said Sasikala and her family members have brought 'bad name to the party'. It is the wrong doing of a family (Sasikala) which has brought bad name for the party and that is why IT raids are happening.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/vfRY9TFCAe — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × "During I-T raids in Poes Garden, Amma's room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden & state government. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre," the reports said quoting Palaniswami. During IT raids in Poes Garden, Amma's room was not searched. There is no connection between the IT raids in Poes Garden & state govt. Raids are conducted by the IT dept which is under Centre.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/Kt4sqHq0te — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × Responding to TTV Dhinakaran's charge that he did not express his opposition to the IT raids, the CM asked "Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in the party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma's death, he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me," he added. Who is TTV Dhinakaran? He was not in party for past 10 yrs, only after Amma's death he has to come to the fore. He did not make me CM. It is my step by step contribution to the party that I became CM, all MLAs elected me.: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Madurai pic.twitter.com/uB3wpHWvDU — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × A few days after conducting raids for almost a week at different places owned by jailed AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department officials arrived at former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa's Poes Garden house in Chennai and conducted a search. During the search, the Income Tax officials said to have seized two pen drives and two laptops. The officials conducted a thorough search in the two rooms used by Sasikala and a room used by her personal secretary S Poongundran. The Madras High Court on Friday upheld the CBI court order convicting son-in-law and daughter of jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala's sister in a Rs.1400 crore disproportionate assets (DA) case registered two decades ago.

Sasikala has brought 'bad name to the party', says Tamil Nadu CM

<p>After an investigation of five&nbsp;days by the Income Tax department officials on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/income-tax-raids-on-jaya-tv-continue-bank-accounts-of-sasikalas-nephew-frozen-report-24023" target="_blank">multiple premises of VK Sasikala and her relatives</a>, the IT department has seized&nbsp;papers that reveal over 1400 crore worth of &quot;unaccounted-for&quot; investments in real estate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An IT official also said that a considerable amount of diamond&nbsp;jewellery&nbsp;was also found, which is yet to be valued.&nbsp;</p>

<p>About 16 bank lockers had been frozen so far, said an IT official.</p>

<p>A major part of property related documents were seized from the properties of Sasikala&#39;s nephew and Jaya TV CEO Vivek Jayaraman, his sister Krishna Priya and their auditor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Documents relating to the import of fleet of foreign cars were seized from the Chennai house of Sasikala&#39;s niece.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also, cash amounting to Rs 55 lakh was seized from a Women&#39;s College owned by Sasikala&#39;s brother V Dhivaharan.</p>

<p>Search operations&nbsp;were conducted on over 187 premises owned by VK Sasikala and her family members.</p>

<p>A senior Income Tax official said, &quot;The seized documents show that at the time of demonetisation, huge amounts of old notes were converted into gold at Midas,&quot;</p>

<p>After completing the search operation on Monday-I-T investigation team took Sasikala&#39;s nephew Vivek and his brother in law Prabhu to their office for further questioning.</p>


Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found

After an investigation of five days by the Income Tax department officials on the multiple premises of VK Sasikala and her relatives, the IT department has seized papers that reveal over 1400 crore worth of "unaccounted-for" investments in real estate. Besides this cash amounting to Rs 7.14 crore and jewellery valuing Rs 5 crore was also found. An IT official also said that a considerable amount of diamond jewellery was also found, which is yet to be valued. About 16 bank lockers had been frozen so far, said an IT official. A major part of property related documents were seized from the properties of Sasikala's nephew and Jaya TV CEO Vivek Jayaraman, his sister Krishna Priya and their auditor. Documents relating to the import of fleet of foreign cars were seized from the Chennai house of Sasikala's niece. Also, cash amounting to Rs 55 lakh was seized from a Women's College owned by Sasikala's brother V Dhivaharan. Search operations were conducted on over 187 premises owned by VK Sasikala and her family members. A senior Income Tax official said, "The seized documents show that at the time of demonetisation, huge amounts of old notes were converted into gold at Midas," After completing the search operation on Monday-I-T investigation team took Sasikala's nephew Vivek and his brother in law Prabhu to their office for further questioning.

IT raid on Sasikala's premises reveals 'unaccounted investments'

<p>Income tax raids were conducted Thursday morning at the Jaya TV office in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TamilNadu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TamilNadu</a>: Income Tax department conducts raid at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion <a href="https://t.co/LkQSVz4NWN">pic.twitter.com/LkQSVz4NWN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928445122055888896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>The Times of India reported that a team of 10 Income Tax officials entered the Jaya TV office at around 6 am.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jaya TV, a prominent&nbsp;TV channel in Tamil Nadu, was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>The channel is now controlled by VK Sasikala&#39;s family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The channel had been critical of the current Tamil Nadu government, the TOI reported.</p>

<p>Current chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam had earlier been at loggerheads.</p>

<p>A search was also conducted at Jayaraman&#39;s residence in the city and at Jazz Cinemas owned by Sasikala&#39;s family members.</p>

<p>The searches were conducted after the department received information about the concealment of income and tax evasion, TOI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People are watching everything, they understand what is going on. If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming: TTV Dhinakaran <a href="https://t.co/oALm1R4PBq">pic.twitter.com/oALm1R4PBq</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928498129007030272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&quot;People are watching everything, they understand what is going on,&quot; Sasikala&#39;s nephew TTV Dinakaran said of the raids.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming,&quot; he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI reported that raids were also conducted on the Tamil newspaper Dr Namadhu MGR in Chennai and Karnataka AIADMK in-charge&nbsp;Pugazhendi&#39;s house in Bengaluru.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="et">AIADMK Karnataka in-charge, Pugazhendi&#39;s house being raided by Income Tax department in Bengaluru&#39;s Domlur <a href="https://t.co/0d67gjIEgK">pic.twitter.com/0d67gjIEgK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/928472560903139328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Jaya TV was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa, but is currently controlled by members of VK Sasikala's family

Income tax raids were conducted Thursday morning at the Jaya TV office in Chennai. #TamilNadu: Income Tax department conducts raid at Jaya TV and Dr Namadhu MGR (Tamil newspaper) premises in Chennai, in a case of alleged tax evasion pic.twitter.com/LkQSVz4NWN — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × The Times of India reported that a team of 10 Income Tax officials entered the Jaya TV office at around 6 am. Jaya TV, a prominent TV channel in Tamil Nadu, was started by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. The channel is now controlled by VK Sasikala's family members, led by her nephew Vivek Jayaraman. The channel had been critical of the current Tamil Nadu government, the TOI reported. Current chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam had earlier been at loggerheads. A search was also conducted at Jayaraman's residence in the city and at Jazz Cinemas owned by Sasikala's family members. The searches were conducted after the department received information about the concealment of income and tax evasion, TOI reported. People are watching everything, they understand what is going on. If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming: TTV Dhinakaran pic.twitter.com/oALm1R4PBq — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 × "People are watching everything, they understand what is going on," Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran said of the raids. "If the Centre thinks they can destroy us by conducting such raids, they are day-dreaming," he added. ANI reported that raids were also conducted on the Tamil newspaper Dr Namadhu MGR in Chennai and Karnataka AIADMK in-charge Pugazhendi's house in Bengaluru. AIADMK Karnataka in-charge, Pugazhendi's house being raided by Income Tax department in Bengaluru's Domlur pic.twitter.com/0d67gjIEgK — ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2017 ×

Jaya TV raids: The people understand what is going on, says TTV Dinakaran

tamil-nadu

Tamil Nadu, News on Tamil Nadu, stories on Tamil Nadu, articles on Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu stories at Wion, Tamil Nadu news, Tamil Nadu latest news

tamil nadu