<p>After instructing schools to shut an hour earlier on Monday, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday as the met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Many parts of Tamil Nadu received heavy rainfall yesterday, disrupting normal life.</p>

<p>One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The rains&nbsp;caused traffic snarls and waterlogging in many parts of Chennai. Traffic in arterial GST Road and Anna Salai came to a grinding halt but there was also cheer as several parts of Chennai are hit by water scarcity.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tamil Nadu: Water-logged areas being cleared &amp; uprooted trees being removed in Chennai after heavy rain <a href="https://t.co/QSU43oHkta">pic.twitter.com/QSU43oHkta</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/925212856869519360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Reports attributed the rainfall to the cyclonic circulation that is currently persisting over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off the Sri Lanka coast and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast.</p>

<p>The other regions which are expected to receive very heavy rainfall are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.</p>


One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident.?

After instructing schools to shut an hour earlier on Monday, the government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday as the met office forecast heavy to very heavy rains in some areas of coastal districts, including the capital city and its neighbourhood, in the next 24 hours. Many parts of Tamil Nadu received heavy rainfall yesterday, disrupting normal life. One person was killed in Thanjavur district in a rain-related incident. The rains caused traffic snarls and waterlogging in many parts of Chennai. Traffic in arterial GST Road and Anna Salai came to a grinding halt but there was also cheer as several parts of Chennai are hit by water scarcity. Tamil Nadu: Water-logged areas being cleared & uprooted trees being removed in Chennai after heavy rain pic.twitter.com/QSU43oHkta — ANI (@ANI) October 31, 2017 × Reports attributed the rainfall to the cyclonic circulation that is currently persisting over Southwest Bay of Bengal, off the Sri Lanka coast and the adjoining Tamil Nadu coast. The other regions which are expected to receive very heavy rainfall are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura.

Met office forecast heavy rains in Chennai; schools, colleges to remain shut today

<p>&quot;If you were really concerned about public and the society you should have started campaigns against various social evils like untouchability and safety of women. But you choose to target a particular movie.&quot;</p>

<p>Those were the words of justices M M Sundresh and M Sundar of Madras High Court while summarily dismissing a petition seeking a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate issued to Vijay starrer Mersal for it&#39;s &#39;&#39;anti-GST&#39;&#39; dialogues.</p>

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<h5>The petitioner argued that the movie contained scenes and dialogues, which were against the interests of the country&#39;s sovereignty and integrity and the security of the state.</h5>
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<p>The judges while junking pseudo-nationalism propagated by the petitioner said in a mature democracy, the voices of the minority cannot be stifled and concluded that ultimately it was for the viewers to take a call on the contents of a movie.</p>

<p>The petitioner, forgetting that &#39;Mersal&#39; is after all just a movie, argued that the movie contained scenes and dialogues, which were against the interests of the country&#39;s sovereignty and integrity and the security of the state. Here, we are made to wonder whether the petitioner a true patriot? If he is, as he claims himself to be, what&#39;s he doing on the court? Should he be fighting our country&#39;s enemies along the borders?</p>

<p>The petitioner&#39;s contention was that the apparent false information about GST and Digital India Scheme would encourage people to indulge in tax evasion. So, as per the petitioner&#39;s argument, nobody hides income in India and everyone files taxes without fail, and this movie was going to open black money floodgates.</p>

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<h5>The petitioner and all those who have been demanding to purge certain scenes in the film conveniently forgot that Mersal is, after all, a work of fiction.</h5>
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<p>Donald Trump&#39;s &quot;America first&quot; policy will draw a blank in front of the patriotic spirit of this petitioner. One wonders how the petitioner and all those who have been demanding to purge certain scenes in the film conveniently forgot that Mersal is, after all, a work of fiction.</p>

<p>The judges had to step forward and remind the petitioner and other BJP leaders that India and, especially, Tamil Nadu is a democracy. &quot;This is a democracy and people have their right to freedom of expression, and this applies to films as well,&quot; the judges said in their order.</p>

<p>&quot;Even today the media has reported that the Leader of Opposition in the state has criticised demonetisation, can the court pass a gag order against him from making such statements,&quot; the bench further said.</p>

<p>Wondering how the Censor Board had issued certification for the above movie, the petitioner had said: &quot;the film was full of wrong propaganda about India and fake dialogues and scenes which obviously lead to the misconception about the new taxation system (Goods and Service Tax).&quot;</p>

<p>The judges condemned the pseudo-nationalist petitioner and dismissed the plea as devoid of merit.</p>

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<h5>The petitioner&#39;s motivation was to invoke communal disharmony in Tamil Nadu for electrical dividends.</h5>
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<p>This is not the first time the court&#39;s precious time was wasted on a&nbsp;useless petition. Recently, the Delhi High Court junked a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the death of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor&#39;s wife Sunanda Pushkar, terming his PIL as a &quot;textbook example of a political interest litigation&quot;.</p>

<p>While observing that the petition by Swamy cannot be entertained as a PIL, the bench said that &quot;Courts need to be careful that judicial process is not used by political persons for their own purposes&quot;.</p>

<p>The courts of our country have seen several such petitions now and then.</p>

<p>What&#39;s the intention of people filing such petitions? Are they really concerned about the issues that the country is facing? If so, why they don&#39;t suggest solutions to issues plaguing the country instead of wasting court&#39;s time and energy?</p>

<p>The petitioner&#39;s motivation was to invoke disharmony in Tamil Nadu for electrical dividends, not realising that the state had consigned these kinds of prejudice and preconceived notions to oblivion ages ago.</p>


The petition to ban few dialogues from the movie Mersal was intended to invoke communal disharmony in Tamil Nadu

"If you were really concerned about public and the society you should have started campaigns against various social evils like untouchability and safety of women. But you choose to target a particular movie." Those were the words of justices M M Sundresh and M Sundar of Madras High Court while summarily dismissing a petition seeking a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to revoke the censor certificate issued to Vijay starrer Mersal for it's ''anti-GST'' dialogues. The petitioner argued that the movie contained scenes and dialogues, which were against the interests of the country's sovereignty and integrity and the security of the state. × The judges while junking pseudo-nationalism propagated by the petitioner said in a mature democracy, the voices of the minority cannot be stifled and concluded that ultimately it was for the viewers to take a call on the contents of a movie. The petitioner, forgetting that 'Mersal' is after all just a movie, argued that the movie contained scenes and dialogues, which were against the interests of the country's sovereignty and integrity and the security of the state. Here, we are made to wonder whether the petitioner a true patriot? If he is, as he claims himself to be, what's he doing on the court? Should he be fighting our country's enemies along the borders? The petitioner's contention was that the apparent false information about GST and Digital India Scheme would encourage people to indulge in tax evasion. So, as per the petitioner's argument, nobody hides income in India and everyone files taxes without fail, and this movie was going to open black money floodgates. The petitioner and all those who have been demanding to purge certain scenes in the film conveniently forgot that Mersal is, after all, a work of fiction. × Donald Trump's "America first" policy will draw a blank in front of the patriotic spirit of this petitioner. One wonders how the petitioner and all those who have been demanding to purge certain scenes in the film conveniently forgot that Mersal is, after all, a work of fiction. The judges had to step forward and remind the petitioner and other BJP leaders that India and, especially, Tamil Nadu is a democracy. "This is a democracy and people have their right to freedom of expression, and this applies to films as well," the judges said in their order. "Even today the media has reported that the Leader of Opposition in the state has criticised demonetisation, can the court pass a gag order against him from making such statements," the bench further said. Wondering how the Censor Board had issued certification for the above movie, the petitioner had said: "the film was full of wrong propaganda about India and fake dialogues and scenes which obviously lead to the misconception about the new taxation system (Goods and Service Tax)." The judges condemned the pseudo-nationalist petitioner and dismissed the plea as devoid of merit. The petitioner's motivation was to invoke communal disharmony in Tamil Nadu for electrical dividends. × This is not the first time the court's precious time was wasted on a useless petition. Recently, the Delhi High Court junked a petition filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a court-monitored SIT probe into the death of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's wife Sunanda Pushkar, terming his PIL as a "textbook example of a political interest litigation". While observing that the petition by Swamy cannot be entertained as a PIL, the bench said that "Courts need to be careful that judicial process is not used by political persons for their own purposes". The courts of our country have seen several such petitions now and then. What's the intention of people filing such petitions? Are they really concerned about the issues that the country is facing? If so, why they don't suggest solutions to issues plaguing the country instead of wasting court's time and energy? The petitioner's motivation was to invoke disharmony in Tamil Nadu for electrical dividends, not realising that the state had consigned these kinds of prejudice and preconceived notions to oblivion ages ago.

How pseudo-nationalists attempted and failed to tame 'Mersal'

<p>The northeast monsoon, which set in over Tamil Nadu, brought in the first spell of rains in Chennai today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Schools in the city closed an hour earlier than usual following government&#39;s order.</p>

<p>Traffic jams were reported on some major roads in the city including Velachery and OMR the IT Corridor. In the northern parts, several areas including Kilpauk and Koyambedu were affected.</p>

<p>A&nbsp;tree that fell in the Mambalam area blocked traffic close to the commercial hub of T Nagar. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Coastal districts including Chennai, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Ramanathapuram received heavy rainfalls while a few interior districts received heavy to very heavy rains.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The northeast monsoon arrived over Tamil Nadu on October 27. Weather blogger Pradeep John has forecast above normal rainfall this northeast monsoon due to a favourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). Rainfall in the state would last until December first week, he said.</p>


Schools in the city closed an hour earlier than usual following the government order.

The northeast monsoon, which set in over Tamil Nadu, brought in the first spell of rains in Chennai today. Schools in the city closed an hour earlier than usual following government's order. Traffic jams were reported on some major roads in the city including Velachery and OMR the IT Corridor. In the northern parts, several areas including Kilpauk and Koyambedu were affected. A tree that fell in the Mambalam area blocked traffic close to the commercial hub of T Nagar. Coastal districts including Chennai, Cuddalore, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Ramanathapuram received heavy rainfalls while a few interior districts received heavy to very heavy rains. The northeast monsoon arrived over Tamil Nadu on October 27. Weather blogger Pradeep John has forecast above normal rainfall this northeast monsoon due to a favourable Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). Rainfall in the state would last until December first week, he said.

Northeast monsoon brings widespread rainfall in Chennai

<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami has announced a compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for the family members of the people died in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/8-killed-as-portion-of-building-collapses-in-tamil-nadu-22639" target="_blank">Nagapattinam building collapse</a>.</p>

<p>He further announced compensation of Rs 1.5 lakhs to severely injured people whereas Rs 50,000 to the ones with mild injuries.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The chief minister&nbsp;also assured government job to any one member of the deceased.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nagapattinam building collapse: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami announces compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921253086496043008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nagapattinam building collapse: TN CM announces compensation of Rs1.5 lakh for ppl with severe injuries&amp;Rs 50,000 for ppl with mild injuries</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921253358517739527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">CM also announced govt job for any one member of the families of the deceased in Nagapattinam building collapse</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/921253650458066944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A portion of a&nbsp;six-decade-old building collapsed in Tamil Nadu on Friday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The collapse had resulted in eight deaths and three injuries.&nbsp;</p>


Tamil Nadu chief minister further announced compensation of Rs 1.5 lakhs to severely injured people whereas Rs 50,000 to the ones with mild injuries

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami has announced a compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for the family members of the people died in Nagapattinam building collapse. He further announced compensation of Rs 1.5 lakhs to severely injured people whereas Rs 50,000 to the ones with mild injuries. The chief minister also assured government job to any one member of the deceased. Nagapattinam building collapse: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palaniswami announces compensation of Rs 7.5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased — ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2017 × Nagapattinam building collapse: TN CM announces compensation of Rs1.5 lakh for ppl with severe injuries&Rs 50,000 for ppl with mild injuries — ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2017 × CM also announced govt job for any one member of the families of the deceased in Nagapattinam building collapse — ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2017 × A portion of a six-decade-old building collapsed in Tamil Nadu on Friday morning. The collapse had resulted in eight deaths and three injuries.

Rs 7.5 lakhs compensation for deceased in Tamil Nadu building collapse

<p>The Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami is planning to appoint transgenders in the state&#39;s police force.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He has given appointment order to four transgenders for joining Tamil Nadu police force.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami gave appointment order to four transgenders for joining TN police force <a href="https://t.co/oHurueo5Ds">pic.twitter.com/oHurueo5Ds</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/919826300579090437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Chief minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami has issued appointment order to transgenders for joining police force

The Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami is planning to appoint transgenders in the state's police force. He has given appointment order to four transgenders for joining Tamil Nadu police force. Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami gave appointment order to four transgenders for joining TN police force pic.twitter.com/oHurueo5Ds — ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2017 ×

TN police force soon to include transgenders

<p>President Ram Nath Kovind appointed five new governors on Saturday with Brig&nbsp;(Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) taking over as governor of Arunachal Pradesh.</p>

<p>Banwarilal Purohit was appointed governor of Tamil Nadu, and Satya Pal Malik as governor of Bihar.</p>

<p>Professor Jagdish Mukhi was appointed governor of Assam, and Ganga Prasad governor of Meghalaya.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition, Admiral (Retd) DK Joshi was made lieutenant governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.&nbsp;</p>


In addition, Admiral (Retd) DK Joshi was made LG of Andaman and Nicobar

President Ram Nath Kovind appointed five new governors on Saturday with Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) taking over as governor of Arunachal Pradesh. Banwarilal Purohit was appointed governor of Tamil Nadu, and Satya Pal Malik as governor of Bihar. Professor Jagdish Mukhi was appointed governor of Assam, and Ganga Prasad governor of Meghalaya. In addition, Admiral (Retd) DK Joshi was made lieutenant governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Five states get new governors

<p>A forty-five-year-old female professor was allegedly stabbed today by a guest lecturer on Madurai Kamaraj University&nbsp;campus in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jenefa, a professor in the journalism department at the university, stabbed several times, is now admitted to a government hospital in serious condition, PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Students rescued Jenefa after&nbsp;they heard her screaming. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The guest lecturer Jothi Murugan allegedly upset over non-renewal of his service contract stabbed the professor inside the University.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Murugan who is also a former student of the university apparently intercepted Jenefa&nbsp;on her way while she was walking towards the university&#39;s main office.</p>

<p>He had&nbsp;an argument with her over the extension of his contract&nbsp;as a guest lecturer and stabbed the associate professor with a knife. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Jothi Murugan stabbed university professor and head Jenefa on the campus

A forty-five-year-old female professor was allegedly stabbed today by a guest lecturer on Madurai Kamaraj University campus in Tamil Nadu. Jenefa, a professor in the journalism department at the university, stabbed several times, is now admitted to a government hospital in serious condition, PTI reported. Students rescued Jenefa after they heard her screaming. The guest lecturer Jothi Murugan allegedly upset over non-renewal of his service contract stabbed the professor inside the University. Murugan who is also a former student of the university apparently intercepted Jenefa on her way while she was walking towards the university's main office. He had an argument with her over the extension of his contract as a guest lecturer and stabbed the associate professor with a knife.

Tamil Nadu: Guest lecturer stabs university professor for not renewing contract

<p>The Madras HC has allowed the&nbsp;plea of the 18 disqualified MLAs for a hearing on Wednesday.</p>

<p>TTV Dinakaran and the 18 disqualified MLAs had moved the court after their disqualification by the Tamil Nadu speaker P Dhanapal.</p>

<p>ANI reported Dinakaran as saying their case was &quot;legally sound&quot; and that they would get justice from the court.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Legally we are very sound and we will get justice from the Court: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TTVDhinakaran?src=hash">#TTVDhinakaran</a> over disqualification of 18 MLAs by TN Speaker <a href="https://t.co/kQllPvTKoG">pic.twitter.com/kQllPvTKoG</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/910038030550892544">September 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Madras high court-ordered floor test to check whether Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami still has majority support is also scheduled to be held tomorrow

The Madras HC has allowed the plea of the 18 disqualified MLAs for a hearing on Wednesday. TTV Dinakaran and the 18 disqualified MLAs had moved the court after their disqualification by the Tamil Nadu speaker P Dhanapal. ANI reported Dinakaran as saying their case was "legally sound" and that they would get justice from the court. Legally we are very sound and we will get justice from the Court: #TTVDhinakaran over disqualification of 18 MLAs by TN Speaker pic.twitter.com/kQllPvTKoG — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2017 ×

Madras HC to hear plea of 18 disqualified MLAs on Wednesday

<p>Madras High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Advocate General to make a quick decision on whether they will take any action to disqualify the nineteen MLAs who support TTV Dhinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Madras HC orders TN Adv General to respond at the earliest on if thr will be any action takn to disqualify 19 MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908234499497930752">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The state assembly deputy speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) has clarified that he will take a decision on the eighteen dissenting MLAs, hoping that they return to their faction.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Speaker will decide on 18 dissenting MLAs; we believe they will return to our faction: TN Assembly Dy Speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) <a href="https://t.co/dJ2EQ9xvyN">pic.twitter.com/dJ2EQ9xvyN</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908239020437651456">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Earlier, the&nbsp;AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">TTV Dhinakaran faction moves Madras High Court on plea over floor test in Tamil Nadu assembly</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908227914486898689">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The MLAs from the Dhinakaran faction have also raised question over the removal of VK Sasikala calling the AIADMK Gen Council meeting that led to the ousting of Sasikala as illegal.</p>

<p>They said to the &nbsp;Election Commission officials &quot; AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn&#39;t be considered legal.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Delhi: TTV Dhinakaran faction MLAs met EC officials; say AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn&#39;t be considered legal <a href="https://t.co/bQu82lqakw">pic.twitter.com/bQu82lqakw</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908232341897617408">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A member of the Dhinakaran faction has also indicated at a party meeting to be held soon after they get approval from the party &#39;General Secretary&#39; VK Sasikala.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Very soon we&#39;ll hold General Council meet of the party after consent of Gen Secy (VK Sasikala): Vijila Sathyananth, TTV Dhinakaran faction <a href="https://t.co/1UMcxz8tTJ">pic.twitter.com/1UMcxz8tTJ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/908232981478645760">September 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nineteen MLAs from the AIADMK moved out of the party after Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu united with O. Panneerselvam, after months of conflict.&nbsp;</p>


Earlier, the?AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly

Madras High Court has ordered Tamil Nadu Advocate General to make a quick decision on whether they will take any action to disqualify the nineteen MLAs who support TTV Dhinakaran. Madras HC orders TN Adv General to respond at the earliest on if thr will be any action takn to disqualify 19 MLAs supporting TTV Dhinakaran — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × The state assembly deputy speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) has clarified that he will take a decision on the eighteen dissenting MLAs, hoping that they return to their faction. Speaker will decide on 18 dissenting MLAs; we believe they will return to our faction: TN Assembly Dy Speaker V. Jayaraman (EPS-OPS faction) pic.twitter.com/dJ2EQ9xvyN — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × Earlier, the AIADMK faction led by TTV Dhinakarn had filed a petition in the Tamil Nadu High Court requesting for a floor test in the state assembly. TTV Dhinakaran faction moves Madras High Court on plea over floor test in Tamil Nadu assembly — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × The MLAs from the Dhinakaran faction have also raised question over the removal of VK Sasikala calling the AIADMK Gen Council meeting that led to the ousting of Sasikala as illegal. They said to the Election Commission officials " AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn't be considered legal. Delhi: TTV Dhinakaran faction MLAs met EC officials; say AIADMK Gen Council meet where VK Sasikala was ousted shouldn't be considered legal pic.twitter.com/bQu82lqakw — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × A member of the Dhinakaran faction has also indicated at a party meeting to be held soon after they get approval from the party 'General Secretary' VK Sasikala. Very soon we'll hold General Council meet of the party after consent of Gen Secy (VK Sasikala): Vijila Sathyananth, TTV Dhinakaran faction pic.twitter.com/1UMcxz8tTJ — ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2017 × Nineteen MLAs from the AIADMK moved out of the party after Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the current chief minister of Tamil Nadu united with O. Panneerselvam, after months of conflict.

TN HC orders advocate to take quick decision on 19 dissenting MLAs

<p>VK Sasikala has been expelled from the AIADMK.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Temporary General Secy post stands forfeited. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sasikala?src=hash">#Sasikala</a> is expelled: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AiadmkGeneralCouncil?src=hash">#AiadmkGeneralCouncil</a> <a href="https://t.co/zQwsXJ2Cit">pic.twitter.com/zQwsXJ2Cit</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/907486318984175616">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">AIADMK to be unified faction&amp;we will retrieve &#39;two leaves&#39; party symbol: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AiadmkGeneralCouncil?src=hash">#AiadmkGeneralCouncil</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/907484078558945280">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All those appointed by Amma(Jayalalithaa) as office bearers, to continue: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AiadmkGeneralCouncil?src=hash">#AiadmkGeneralCouncil</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/907484458697162752">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">All announcements of TTV Dinakaran are not binding on the party:RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AiadmkGeneralCouncil?src=hash">#AiadmkGeneralCouncil</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/907486928412348417">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sasikala was the party&#39;s interim general secretary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The decision to expel her was taken today at a meeting of the AIADMK general council attended by both the E Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam factions of the AIADMK.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami is the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Panneerselvam is the deputy chief minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was also announced that the two factions of the AIADMK -- which united in August -- would retrieve the party&#39;s &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that all officer bearers appointed by Jayalalithaa would continue, but that all announcements made by Sasikala&#39;s nephew TTV Dinakaran would not be binding on the party.&nbsp;</p>


The decision was taken today at a meeting of the AIADMK general council attended by both the EPS and OPS factions of the party

VK Sasikala has been expelled from the AIADMK. Temporary General Secy post stands forfeited. #Sasikala is expelled: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at #AiadmkGeneralCouncil pic.twitter.com/zQwsXJ2Cit — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2017 × AIADMK to be unified faction&we will retrieve 'two leaves' party symbol: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at #AiadmkGeneralCouncil — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2017 × All those appointed by Amma(Jayalalithaa) as office bearers, to continue: RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at #AiadmkGeneralCouncil — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2017 × All announcements of TTV Dinakaran are not binding on the party:RB Udaykumar,TN Min reads out resolution at #AiadmkGeneralCouncil — ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2017 × Sasikala was the party's interim general secretary. The decision to expel her was taken today at a meeting of the AIADMK general council attended by both the E Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam factions of the AIADMK. Palaniswami is the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Panneerselvam is the deputy chief minister. It was also announced that the two factions of the AIADMK -- which united in August -- would retrieve the party's "two leaves" symbol. And that all officer bearers appointed by Jayalalithaa would continue, but that all announcements made by Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran would not be binding on the party.

Sasikala expelled from AIADMK

<p>The family of Anitha -- the 17-year-old Dalit girl who committed suicide in Tamil Nadu -- has refused to accept the Rs 7 lakh the state government had promised them.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anitha was found hanging in her home on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-girl-who-moved-sc-against-neet-commits-suicide-19782" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Tamil Nadu girl who moved SC against NEET commits suicide</a></p>

<p>She had allegedly killed herself because the Supreme Court had turned down her petition that admission to medical colleges not be given only on the basis of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anitha had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in her class XII board examinations but was unable to get admission to a medical college because she did not do well on the NEET exam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She told the SC that the exam worked against students from rural areas.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There had been widespread protests in Tamil Nadu over her suicide, with the protesters blaming the central government for Anitha&#39;s death.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-protests-break-out-over-suicide-of-girl-who-moved-sc-against-neet-exam-19791" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Protests break out across Tamil Nadu over suicide of Anitha who moved SC against NEET exam</a></p>

<p>The filmstar Rajnikanth had also offered his condolences to the family.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RipAnitha?src=hash">#RipAnitha</a> <a href="https://t.co/p5t507dLaQ">pic.twitter.com/p5t507dLaQ</a></p>
&mdash; Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) <a href="https://twitter.com/superstarrajini/status/903597665782382592">September 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The family, the Hindu newspaper reported, had earlier accepted a cheque for Rs 10 lakh from DMK working president MK Stalin.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But when the Ariyalur district collector and superintendent of police tried to offer&nbsp;them a cheque for Rs 7 lakh from the state government, the family refused to accept it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The family said Anitha had died because Tamil Nadu was still subject to the ambit of the NEET exam.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that they would accept the money only when that no longer remained the case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Hindu reported the DC as saying the family had seemed reluctant to accept the money, but that the authorities would wait for some time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the meantime, the authorities have offered a job to one member of Anitha&#39;s family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anitha is survived by her father and four brothers. She lost her mother early.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Hindu reported the DC as saying the job given would depend on the educational qualifications of the family member.&nbsp;</p>


Anitha had allegedly killed herself because the SC turned down her petition that admission to medical colleges not be given only on the basis of the NEET exam

The family of Anitha -- the 17-year-old Dalit girl who committed suicide in Tamil Nadu -- has refused to accept the Rs 7 lakh the state government had promised them. Anitha was found hanging in her home on Friday. Also read: Tamil Nadu girl who moved SC against NEET commits suicide She had allegedly killed herself because the Supreme Court had turned down her petition that admission to medical colleges not be given only on the basis of the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test. Anitha had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in her class XII board examinations but was unable to get admission to a medical college because she did not do well on the NEET exam. She told the SC that the exam worked against students from rural areas. There had been widespread protests in Tamil Nadu over her suicide, with the protesters blaming the central government for Anitha's death. Also read: Protests break out across Tamil Nadu over suicide of Anitha who moved SC against NEET exam The filmstar Rajnikanth had also offered his condolences to the family. #RipAnitha pic.twitter.com/p5t507dLaQ — Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) September 1, 2017 × The family, the Hindu newspaper reported, had earlier accepted a cheque for Rs 10 lakh from DMK working president MK Stalin. But when the Ariyalur district collector and superintendent of police tried to offer them a cheque for Rs 7 lakh from the state government, the family refused to accept it. The family said Anitha had died because Tamil Nadu was still subject to the ambit of the NEET exam. And that they would accept the money only when that no longer remained the case. The Hindu reported the DC as saying the family had seemed reluctant to accept the money, but that the authorities would wait for some time. In the meantime, the authorities have offered a job to one member of Anitha's family. Anitha is survived by her father and four brothers. She lost her mother early. The Hindu reported the DC as saying the job given would depend on the educational qualifications of the family member.

Family of TN girl who committed suicide refuses to take govt's Rs 7 lakh

<p>Protests over the suicide of the Dalit girl who had moved the Supreme Court against the NEET exam broke out across Tamil Nadu on Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said hundreds of slogan-shouting protesters blocked roads and staged rallies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In Chennai, the Hindustan Times reported, protesters blocked an arterial road leading to Anna Salai, the city&#39;s main road.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: Protest by Revolutionary Students and Youth Front (RSYF) members over the death <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anithaa?src=hash">#Anithaa</a>; Protesters detained by Police. <a href="https://t.co/JKwA3vtrmn">pic.twitter.com/JKwA3vtrmn</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/903867260426522624">September 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The reports said the protesters blamed the central government for Anitha S&#39;s suicide.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Centre must think of it&amp; cancel NEET in Tamil Nadu students&#39; interest or at least have it as per +2 syllabus: TTV Dhinakaran <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Anithasuicide?src=hash">#Anithasuicide</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fb2kjFqhnm">pic.twitter.com/Fb2kjFqhnm</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/903973407909322757">September 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Anitha had moved the SC, saying admissions to medical colleges should not be given only on the basis of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anitha had said the common exam worked against applicants from rural areas, the Hindustan Times reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court had turned down her petition a few months ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News reports said Anitha had been depressed ever since.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday, she was found hanging in her home in&nbsp;Ariyalur district.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RipAnitha?src=hash">#RipAnitha</a> <a href="https://t.co/p5t507dLaQ">pic.twitter.com/p5t507dLaQ</a></p>
&mdash; Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) <a href="https://twitter.com/superstarrajini/status/903597665782382592">September 1, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Anitha had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in her class XII boards but did not get into a medical college because she did not do well on the NEET exam.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-girl-who-moved-sc-against-neet-commits-suicide-19782" target="_blank">Also read:&nbsp;Tamil Nadu girl who moved SC against NEET commits suicide</a></p>

<p>She was however offered a seat, to study aeronautical engineering, at the Madras Institute of Technology.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Opposition DMK had on Friday blamed the state government for Anitha&#39;s suicide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Saturday, the Indian Express reported the DMK&#39;s Stalin as calling the government inept.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu chief minister had on Friday ordered an&nbsp;ex-gratia payment of Rs 7 lakh to Anitha&#39;s family and a job to one member of the family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>HT reported that Anitha&#39;s father is a daily wage worker; she lost her mother early.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And that none of her four brothers had a steady job.&nbsp;</p>


Anitha S was found hanging in her home in Ariyalur district on Friday

Protests over the suicide of the Dalit girl who had moved the Supreme Court against the NEET exam broke out across Tamil Nadu on Saturday. News reports said hundreds of slogan-shouting protesters blocked roads and staged rallies. In Chennai, the Hindustan Times reported, protesters blocked an arterial road leading to Anna Salai, the city's main road. Chennai: Protest by Revolutionary Students and Youth Front (RSYF) members over the death #Anithaa; Protesters detained by Police. pic.twitter.com/JKwA3vtrmn — ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2017 × The reports said the protesters blamed the central government for Anitha S's suicide. Centre must think of it& cancel NEET in Tamil Nadu students' interest or at least have it as per +2 syllabus: TTV Dhinakaran #Anithasuicide pic.twitter.com/Fb2kjFqhnm — ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2017 × Anitha had moved the SC, saying admissions to medical colleges should not be given only on the basis of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. Anitha had said the common exam worked against applicants from rural areas, the Hindustan Times reported. The court had turned down her petition a few months ago. News reports said Anitha had been depressed ever since. On Friday, she was found hanging in her home in Ariyalur district. #RipAnitha pic.twitter.com/p5t507dLaQ — Rajinikanth (@superstarrajini) September 1, 2017 × Anitha had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in her class XII boards but did not get into a medical college because she did not do well on the NEET exam. Also read: Tamil Nadu girl who moved SC against NEET commits suicide She was however offered a seat, to study aeronautical engineering, at the Madras Institute of Technology. The Opposition DMK had on Friday blamed the state government for Anitha's suicide. On Saturday, the Indian Express reported the DMK's Stalin as calling the government inept. Tamil Nadu chief minister had on Friday ordered an ex-gratia payment of Rs 7 lakh to Anitha's family and a job to one member of the family. HT reported that Anitha's father is a daily wage worker; she lost her mother early. And that none of her four brothers had a steady job.

Protests break out across Tamil Nadu over suicide of Anitha who moved SC against NEET exam

<p>The Tamil Nadu assembly speaker has issued a notice to the 19 AIADMK MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran.</p>

<p>The 19 MLAs have been asked to explain their position by September 5.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The MLAs had withdrawn their support for chief minister&nbsp;Edappadi K Palaniswami after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/19592">merger of his faction of the AIADMK w</a>ith that of former chief minister O Panneerselvam&#39;s faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The withdrawing of their support has raised question marks over Palaniswami&#39;s majority in the Tamil Nadu house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 19 MLAs and main Opposition party the DMK have both been demanding that Palaniswami prove his majority in the assembly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is the second notice sent to the MLAs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The MLAs had earlier received a notice from the speaker on August 25.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Madras high court will hear a PIL today asking Palaniswami to prove his majority.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The notice was issued by the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly

The Tamil Nadu assembly speaker has issued a notice to the 19 AIADMK MLAs supporting TTV Dinakaran. The 19 MLAs have been asked to explain their position by September 5. The MLAs had withdrawn their support for chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami after the merger of his faction of the AIADMK with that of former chief minister O Panneerselvam's faction. The withdrawing of their support has raised question marks over Palaniswami's majority in the Tamil Nadu house. The 19 MLAs and main Opposition party the DMK have both been demanding that Palaniswami prove his majority in the assembly. This is the second notice sent to the MLAs. The MLAs had earlier received a notice from the speaker on August 25. Meanwhile, the Madras high court will hear a PIL today asking Palaniswami to prove his majority.

Tamil Nadu: 19 MLAs supporting Dinakaran issued notice, told to explain position by Sept 5

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>A day after TTV Dinakaran sacked several ministers including Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami as the party&#39;s Salem district secretary, the AIADMK (Amma) Monday passed resolutions calling off all appointments made by him.</p>

<p>Four resolutions were passed at a meeting held by Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai where the party declared Dinakaran&#39;s appointments as &quot;null and void&quot;.</p>

<p>The meeting said that Dinakaran was sacked from the post of deputy general secretary on August 10 itself, therefore any changes made by him in the party posts were invalid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the resolutions adopted by the party meeting said Dhinakaran had &quot;no authority or qualification&quot; to remove the appointees of late AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>He was appointed as deputy general secretary by Sasikala before her imprisonment to the Bengaluru jail. The resolution said he was not authorised by relevant party bye-laws. Also the Election Commission had refused to accept his appointment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;With the Election Commission so far not recognising V K Sasikala&#39;s appointment as general secretary, which was done as an interim measure, the appointment of Dhinakaran as deputy general secretary by her and his getting involved in party affairs is against party laws,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>The resolution said that they had very clearly stated all this to Dhinakaran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhinakaran was already made familiar to all this by &quot;functionaries appointed by &#39;Amma&#39; (Jayalalithaa),&quot;.</p>

<p>Dhinakaran and his followers have dismissed Palaniswami&#39;s meeting and the resolution passed at the AIADMK headquarters, claiming that only the party&#39;s general secretary has the authority to hold a meeting and they were not invited to the party meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, along with the support of 21 MLAs is demanding the removal of Palaniswami as CM. Since the merger, he has also been trying to prove his authority over the party by bringing in his supporters and removing the already existing ones.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Questioning the legality of the appointments made by Sasikala before going to jail the meeting has also adopted a resolution to call a general council meeting for the expulsion of jailed party chief.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et">Tamil Nadu: EPS-OPS supporters protest against VK Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran at AIADMK headquarter in Chennai. <a href="https://t.co/sAmXzfEGpA">pic.twitter.com/sAmXzfEGpA</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/902054873889349632">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sasikala&#39;s appointed as the interim general secretary of the party on 29 December after the demise of former chief minister and party supremo J Jayalalithaa, was already approaching an end since the merger of the two factions.<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
On August 20 when the two factions of the AIADMK, led by Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam came together, MP R Vaithilingam had already indicated on the removal of Sasikala from the party post. This was one of the demands raised by Panneerselvam and his faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides this, the meeting has also decided to bring back the party backed media &#39;Namathu Dr MGR&#39;&nbsp;and &#39;Jaya TV&#39;.</p>

<p>Jaya TV and the daily were launched following efforts of Jayalalithaa and the contribution of lakhs of party workers and therefore they are our party&#39;s assets,&quot; it said.</p>

<p>One of the resolutions also said it has been resolved to strive hard to &quot;protect &quot; the party and its government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some of the party MLAs and MPs were not present at the meeting.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Majority of party office bearers, MLAs &amp; MPs have attended the meeting: D Jayakumar on talks of number of MLAs boycotting <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMK?src=hash">#AIADMK</a> meeting <a href="https://t.co/xii04DQBfD">pic.twitter.com/xii04DQBfD</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/902084310089457664">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Tamil Nadu's chief minister K Palaniswami held a?meeting of the AIADMK (Amma) today at the AIADMK headquarter

A day after TTV Dinakaran sacked several ministers including Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami as the party's Salem district secretary, the AIADMK (Amma) Monday passed resolutions calling off all appointments made by him. Four resolutions were passed at a meeting held by Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai where the party declared Dinakaran's appointments as "null and void". The meeting said that Dinakaran was sacked from the post of deputy general secretary on August 10 itself, therefore any changes made by him in the party posts were invalid. One of the resolutions adopted by the party meeting said Dhinakaran had "no authority or qualification" to remove the appointees of late AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa. He was appointed as deputy general secretary by Sasikala before her imprisonment to the Bengaluru jail. The resolution said he was not authorised by relevant party bye-laws. Also the Election Commission had refused to accept his appointment. "With the Election Commission so far not recognising V K Sasikala's appointment as general secretary, which was done as an interim measure, the appointment of Dhinakaran as deputy general secretary by her and his getting involved in party affairs is against party laws," it said. The resolution said that they had very clearly stated all this to Dhinakaran. Dhinakaran was already made familiar to all this by "functionaries appointed by 'Amma' (Jayalalithaa),". Dhinakaran and his followers have dismissed Palaniswami's meeting and the resolution passed at the AIADMK headquarters, claiming that only the party's general secretary has the authority to hold a meeting and they were not invited to the party meeting. Dhinakaran, nephew of Sasikala, along with the support of 21 MLAs is demanding the removal of Palaniswami as CM. Since the merger, he has also been trying to prove his authority over the party by bringing in his supporters and removing the already existing ones. Questioning the legality of the appointments made by Sasikala before going to jail the meeting has also adopted a resolution to call a general council meeting for the expulsion of jailed party chief. Tamil Nadu: EPS-OPS supporters protest against VK Sasikala and TTV Dinakaran at AIADMK headquarter in Chennai. pic.twitter.com/sAmXzfEGpA — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2017 × Sasikala's appointed as the interim general secretary of the party on 29 December after the demise of former chief minister and party supremo J Jayalalithaa, was already approaching an end since the merger of the two factions. On August 20 when the two factions of the AIADMK, led by Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam came together, MP R Vaithilingam had already indicated on the removal of Sasikala from the party post. This was one of the demands raised by Panneerselvam and his faction. Besides this, the meeting has also decided to bring back the party backed media 'Namathu Dr MGR' and 'Jaya TV'. Jaya TV and the daily were launched following efforts of Jayalalithaa and the contribution of lakhs of party workers and therefore they are our party's assets," it said. One of the resolutions also said it has been resolved to strive hard to "protect " the party and its government. Some of the party MLAs and MPs were not present at the meeting. Majority of party office bearers, MLAs & MPs have attended the meeting: D Jayakumar on talks of number of MLAs boycotting #AIADMK meeting pic.twitter.com/xii04DQBfD — ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2017 ×

AIADMK party meeting plans to sack Sasikala, claims Dinakaran is already expelled

<p>A day after the merger of the two warring factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy&#39;s (EPS) government faced a crisis yesterday, when 19 of his MLAs withdrew their support, leading to the government falling short of majority.</p>

<p>The MLAs resigned when EPS declared, former chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS), as his new Deputy Chief Minister, and the convenor of the party.</p>

<p>The 19 legislators, owing allegiance to former deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, met Governor Vidyasagar Rao and withdrew support to the Chief Minister.</p>

<p>The MLAs reportedly told Rao that EPS had &quot;forfeited&quot; their confidence of the public as well, urging him to &quot;intervene and institute the constitutional process.&quot;</p>

<p>Later, Opposition leader and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin wrote to the Governor demanding an early floor test to prove the government&#39;s majority and prevent horse trading, while other Opposition leaders also endorsed the demand.</p>

<p>EPS, OPS and other senior ministers, meanwhile, held meetings at the Secretariat on the threat to the government.</p>

<p>In identical letters submitted to Governor Rao at the Raj Bhavan, the resigned MLAs claimed they were &quot;disillusioned with the functioning of the government headed by Mr. Palaniswami, as there has been abuse of power, favouritism, misuse of government machinery, widespread corruption&quot;.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Stalin has claimed that &quot;twenty two MLAs&quot; have resigned.</p>

<p>Stalin wrote a letter to the Governor and said that any inordinate delay in asking the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the case will pave the way for continuance of an &quot;unconstitutional&quot; government and will destabilise the democratic norms and precedents established in demonstrating the confidence of the House.</p>

<p>Here is a timeline of events that happened in last few months from split to merger:</p>

<p>December 7, 2016: After Jayalalithaa&#39;s death, senior AIADMK leader O. Paneerselvam was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. According to reports, several AIADMK MLAs were called to Apollo Hospital to sign a declaration, making Panneerselvam Jayalalithaa&#39;s successor.</p>

<p>December 29, 2016: V.K. Sasikala, the confidante of late J. Jayalalithaa, was appointed as AIADMK&#39;s general secretary on&nbsp;December 29&nbsp;after several party functionaries urged her to lead the party.</p>

<p>February 5, 2017: O. Panneerselvam resigned from the chief minister post and Sasikala was elected head of the AIADMK legislative party and proceeded to stake claim to form the government. Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao accepted Panneerselvam&#39;s resignation, but asked him to operate in a caretaker capacity.</p>

<p>February 14, 2017: Sasikala was convicted in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case and sentenced to serve four years in jail. She also stood disqualified to take over as Tamil Nadu chief minister.</p>

<p>February 15, 2017: In yet another major development in Tamil Nadu politics, TTV Dhinakaran on&nbsp;February 15&nbsp;was appointed as the Deputy General Secretary of the AIADMK.</p>

<p>February 18, 2017: Edappadi K. Palanisamy took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister along with 31 other AIADMK MLAs.</p>

<p>February 20, 2017: Amid an uproar in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Edappadi K. Palanisamy won the vote of confidence with 122 MLAs supporting him.</p>

<p>March 22 2017: With the bypoll elections for vacant R K Nagar constituency approaching, both the factions staked claim over the party&#39;s &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol. On&nbsp;March 22, Election Commission froze the party symbol recognising the split in the party. In a statement, EC officials said that neither of the two factions will be able to use the &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol. Amid allegations of both camps bribing the voters, the election body &quot;cancelled&quot; R K Nagar bypoll election slated for&nbsp;April 10.</p>

<p>April 17, 2017: In what can be called as a major hint towards sewing up an unprecedented merger between two warring factions in the Tamil Nadu Government, the Sasikala and the O. Panneerselvam groups of the AIADMK met to discuss and deliberate over possibilities of their unification.</p>

<p>April 18, 2017: With TTV Dinakaran facing bribery allegations, the two factions initiated merger talks. At least 25 ministers held an emergency meeting to discuss the possible merger. D Jayakumar, who belongs from OPS faction, in a statement to media, said that their side is open for talks on merger. One of the major conditions for OPS faction for a merger was the expulsion of Sasikala and Dinakaran from the party, an issue which derailed the talks.</p>

<p>June 5, 2017: Soon after being granted bail in the case of alleged bribery for party symbol, AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran reached Bengaluru and met aunt Sasikala.</p>

<p>June 6, 2017: 21 AIADMK MLAs met Dinakaran at his residence, giving rise to speculations that many of them, who were part of the Palaniswami camp, may openly declare support to Dinakaran. Losing as many MLAs to Dinakaran could topple the government.</p>

<p>August 2017: CM Edappadi Palaniswami on August 11 said the appointment of TTV Dinakaran as party&#39;s deputy general secretary was &quot;not acceptable&quot;, thus paving the way for a possible merger between the two factions.</p>

<p>A resolution was adopted, shunning party deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran.</p>

<p>Party leaders from both the factions held multiple meetings on August 18, after which the OPS faction said an announcement on the merger will be made on August 21, 2017.</p>

<p>As per decision taken jointly by the both factions, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has been made new Deputy Chief Minister under the merged All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in the state. He will also hold the additional charge of Finance Ministry.</p>

<p>The decision of merger was taken by both factions days after the Tamil Nadu government accepted the AIADMK (PTA)&#39;s two key demands for merger - a probe into former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa&#39;s death and conversion of her Poes Garden residence into a memorial.</p>

<p>The third demand was the ouster of AIA DMK general secretary Sasikala and her family members from the party.&nbsp;</p>


The MLAs resigned when EPS declared, former chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS), as his new Deputy Chief Minister, and the convenor of the party

A day after the merger of the two warring factions of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisamy's (EPS) government faced a crisis yesterday, when 19 of his MLAs withdrew their support, leading to the government falling short of majority. The MLAs resigned when EPS declared, former chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS), as his new Deputy Chief Minister, and the convenor of the party. The 19 legislators, owing allegiance to former deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran, met Governor Vidyasagar Rao and withdrew support to the Chief Minister. The MLAs reportedly told Rao that EPS had "forfeited" their confidence of the public as well, urging him to "intervene and institute the constitutional process." Later, Opposition leader and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) working president M.K. Stalin wrote to the Governor demanding an early floor test to prove the government's majority and prevent horse trading, while other Opposition leaders also endorsed the demand. EPS, OPS and other senior ministers, meanwhile, held meetings at the Secretariat on the threat to the government. In identical letters submitted to Governor Rao at the Raj Bhavan, the resigned MLAs claimed they were "disillusioned with the functioning of the government headed by Mr. Palaniswami, as there has been abuse of power, favouritism, misuse of government machinery, widespread corruption". On the other hand, Stalin has claimed that "twenty two MLAs" have resigned. Stalin wrote a letter to the Governor and said that any inordinate delay in asking the Chief Minister to prove his majority in the case will pave the way for continuance of an "unconstitutional" government and will destabilise the democratic norms and precedents established in demonstrating the confidence of the House. Here is a timeline of events that happened in last few months from split to merger: December 7, 2016: After Jayalalithaa's death, senior AIADMK leader O. Paneerselvam was sworn-in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. According to reports, several AIADMK MLAs were called to Apollo Hospital to sign a declaration, making Panneerselvam Jayalalithaa's successor. December 29, 2016: V.K. Sasikala, the confidante of late J. Jayalalithaa, was appointed as AIADMK's general secretary on December 29 after several party functionaries urged her to lead the party. February 5, 2017: O. Panneerselvam resigned from the chief minister post and Sasikala was elected head of the AIADMK legislative party and proceeded to stake claim to form the government. Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao accepted Panneerselvam's resignation, but asked him to operate in a caretaker capacity. February 14, 2017: Sasikala was convicted in the 19-year-old disproportionate assets case and sentenced to serve four years in jail. She also stood disqualified to take over as Tamil Nadu chief minister. February 15, 2017: In yet another major development in Tamil Nadu politics, TTV Dhinakaran on February 15 was appointed as the Deputy General Secretary of the AIADMK. February 18, 2017: Edappadi K. Palanisamy took oath as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister along with 31 other AIADMK MLAs. February 20, 2017: Amid an uproar in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Edappadi K. Palanisamy won the vote of confidence with 122 MLAs supporting him. March 22 2017: With the bypoll elections for vacant R K Nagar constituency approaching, both the factions staked claim over the party's "two leaves" symbol. On March 22, Election Commission froze the party symbol recognising the split in the party. In a statement, EC officials said that neither of the two factions will be able to use the "two leaves" symbol. Amid allegations of both camps bribing the voters, the election body "cancelled" R K Nagar bypoll election slated for April 10. April 17, 2017: In what can be called as a major hint towards sewing up an unprecedented merger between two warring factions in the Tamil Nadu Government, the Sasikala and the O. Panneerselvam groups of the AIADMK met to discuss and deliberate over possibilities of their unification. April 18, 2017: With TTV Dinakaran facing bribery allegations, the two factions initiated merger talks. At least 25 ministers held an emergency meeting to discuss the possible merger. D Jayakumar, who belongs from OPS faction, in a statement to media, said that their side is open for talks on merger. One of the major conditions for OPS faction for a merger was the expulsion of Sasikala and Dinakaran from the party, an issue which derailed the talks. June 5, 2017: Soon after being granted bail in the case of alleged bribery for party symbol, AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran reached Bengaluru and met aunt Sasikala. June 6, 2017: 21 AIADMK MLAs met Dinakaran at his residence, giving rise to speculations that many of them, who were part of the Palaniswami camp, may openly declare support to Dinakaran. Losing as many MLAs to Dinakaran could topple the government. August 2017: CM Edappadi Palaniswami on August 11 said the appointment of TTV Dinakaran as party's deputy general secretary was "not acceptable", thus paving the way for a possible merger between the two factions. A resolution was adopted, shunning party deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran. Party leaders from both the factions held multiple meetings on August 18, after which the OPS faction said an announcement on the merger will be made on August 21, 2017. As per decision taken jointly by the both factions, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) has been made new Deputy Chief Minister under the merged All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in the state. He will also hold the additional charge of Finance Ministry. The decision of merger was taken by both factions days after the Tamil Nadu government accepted the AIADMK (PTA)'s two key demands for merger - a probe into former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's death and conversion of her Poes Garden residence into a memorial. The third demand was the ouster of AIA DMK general secretary Sasikala and her family members from the party.

EPS in trouble, govt. falls short of majority

<p>Nineteen AIADMK MLAs supporting Dinakaran met the Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhawan on Tuesday and demanded a trust vote.</p>

<p>They said they have no confidence in the Tamil Nadu chief minister&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We(Dinakaran supporting 19 MLAs) have no confidence in TN CM, want a trust vote.Conveyed this to Governor: Thanga Tamil Selvan,AIADMK MLA <a href="https://t.co/7AUlnIkf2X">pic.twitter.com/7AUlnIkf2X</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/899887828145811456">August 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>DMK chief M K Stalin said three more AIADMK MLAs have withdrawn support taking the figure to 22.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;We demand a trust vote&quot;, Stalin told ANI.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My information is that 3 more <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMK?src=hash">#AIADMK</a> MLAs have also withdrawn support,that makes it 22 MLAs in total.We demand a trust vote:MK Stalin <a href="https://t.co/tbGJwhKS6f">pic.twitter.com/tbGJwhKS6f</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/899890430870929408">August 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The two factions of the AIADMK had announced their merger yesterday, with O Panneerselvam being sworn in as deputy chief minister.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Visuals?src=hash">#Visuals</a> TTV <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dinakaran?src=hash">#Dinakaran</a> supporting 19 MLAs arrive at Raj Bhawan to meet TN Governor C Vidyasagar Rao <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AIADMKMerger?src=hash">#AIADMKMerger</a> <a href="https://t.co/IUzeCPOVft">pic.twitter.com/IUzeCPOVft</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/899853670820360193">August 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>One of Panneerselvam&#39;s preconditions for the merger was the removal of party supremo Sasikala and her family members from the AIADMK.</p>

<p>Dinakaran is Sasikala&#39;s nephew.</p>

<p>Should Dinakaran breakaway it is possible that it will upset the AIADMK&rsquo;s majority in the state assembly.</p>


DMK chief ?M K Stalin said three more AIADMK MLAs have withdrawn support taking the figure to 22

Nineteen AIADMK MLAs supporting Dinakaran met the Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao at the Raj Bhawan on Tuesday and demanded a trust vote. They said they have no confidence in the Tamil Nadu chief minister We(Dinakaran supporting 19 MLAs) have no confidence in TN CM, want a trust vote.Conveyed this to Governor: Thanga Tamil Selvan,AIADMK MLA pic.twitter.com/7AUlnIkf2X — ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2017 × DMK chief M K Stalin said three more AIADMK MLAs have withdrawn support taking the figure to 22. "We demand a trust vote", Stalin told ANI. My information is that 3 more #AIADMK MLAs have also withdrawn support,that makes it 22 MLAs in total.We demand a trust vote:MK Stalin pic.twitter.com/tbGJwhKS6f — ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2017 × The two factions of the AIADMK had announced their merger yesterday, with O Panneerselvam being sworn in as deputy chief minister. #Visuals TTV #Dinakaran supporting 19 MLAs arrive at Raj Bhawan to meet TN Governor C Vidyasagar Rao #AIADMKMerger pic.twitter.com/IUzeCPOVft — ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2017 × One of Panneerselvam's preconditions for the merger was the removal of party supremo Sasikala and her family members from the AIADMK. Dinakaran is Sasikala's nephew. Should Dinakaran breakaway it is possible that it will upset the AIADMK’s majority in the state assembly.

AIADMK merger: MLAs supporting Dinakaran, DMK demand trust vote

<p>Karachi is the <a href="http://crss.pk/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/CRSS-Security-Report-Q3-2016-Final.pdf">most violent city in Pakistan</a>. <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/1287126/karachi-still-violent-city-report">A total of 1,046 deaths</a> related to terror and militancy were reported there in 2016, and nearly <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/1186638/growing-uncertainty-48-7-youth-karachi-want-leave-country/">50 per cent of the city&rsquo;s young people</a> want to leave Pakistan completely.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.researchcollective.org/Documents/Karachi_Violence_Duality_and_Negotiation.pdf">violence has various causes</a>, including divisions over <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/203433/political-violence-216-incidents-reported-in-three-months/">politics</a>, <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/1223201/national-highway-blocked-shia-groups-continue-protest-arrests-leaders">religion</a>, and <a href="http://www.dawn.com/news/583741/anp-mqm-clash-leaves-boy-dead">ethnicity</a>, as well as <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/29/world/asia/29karachi.html">organised crime</a>.</p>

<p><a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/721785/timeline-attacks-on-minorities">More than 70 Christians were killed</a> while celebrating Easter in a park in 2016. <a href="http://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-hindus-protest-forced-conversions-girls-islam/3460692.html">The forced conversion</a> of Hindu girls and the marginalisation of community members have been among other factors fuelling feelings of insecurity and isolation for minorities.</p>

<p>For many members of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/malik-siraj-akbar/how-pakistan-abandoned-it_b_9001584.html">threatened minority communities</a>, places of worship offer solace. They also represent an important lesson for Pakistan&#39;s fragmented society. This can most clearly be seen in <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/947318/the-power-of-faith-hindus-celebrate-the-lady-of-good-health-with-catholics">the religious crossover</a>, known as syncretism, between Hindus and Christians, who both venerate the Virgin Mary in Karachi.</p>

<p>It serves as a vital message of the need to coexist and create structures that minimise discrimination.</p>

<p><strong>A look back in history</strong></p>

<p>The <a href="https://habib.edu.pk/HU-news/memory-tradition-community-walk-history-4th-annual-karachi-conference/">history</a> of Tamil and Goan Christian devotees in Karachi can be traced back to <a href="http://www.casas.org.uk/papers/pdfpapers/christiansinpakistan.pdf">nearly 50 years ago</a> when A M Anthony, a Tamil Christian, established Saint Anthony&rsquo;s Club at his house on Somerset Street, in the town of Saddar, a neighbourhood of Karachi.</p>

<p>As described to me by his granddaughter, devotees would gather to recite <em>novena</em> or nine-day, prayers to ask the Virgin Mary for blessings and good health. The Virgin Mary is known as Our Lady of Valenkanni, <a href="http://www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/approved_apparitions/vailankanni/">based on apparitions</a> she is believed to have made in the Indian town of Velankanni, in Tamil Nadu state, 2,000km south of Karachi.</p>

<p>After his landlord objected to the loud singing and recitation, Anthony and his fellow Christians, many of them immigrants from Chennai and Goa, were allowed a hall space in the premises of St. Anthony&rsquo;s Church.</p>

<p>The Christian devotees then invited both Hindus and Zoroastrians to join them in asking for benediction. In this way, <em>novena</em> prayers to Our Lady of Valenkanni became a part of Catholic churches&rsquo; ceremonial activities across Karachi and opened up the veneration of the Virgin Mary to new faiths.</p>

<p>For some Hindu devotees, Our Lady of Velankanni symbolises prosperity, aspirations, well-being, while providing answers to their prayers.</p>

<p><strong>The origins of Our Lady of Velankanni</strong></p>

<p>Of course, the home of Our Lady of Velankanni is in the town of Velankanni itself, which also demonstrates the intersection of Hindu and Catholic practices in contemporary religion.</p>

<p>The basilica attracts millions of devotees each year. As in Karachi, these include both Catholic and Hindu residents. Some Catholic devotees from Karachi embark on a spiritual journey to the Basilica of Our Lady of Valenkanni to ask the Mother for favours and intercessory graces.</p>

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/153075/width754/image-20170117-21183-vi79i8.jpg" />
<figcaption>
<p><span class="caption">Basilica Our Lady of Velankanni in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.</span><span class="caption"> </span></p>

<p>Three accounts of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Velankanni have <a href="http://www.velankannichurch.in/shrine-miracles.php" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">been documented</a> over the years, and subsequently narrated by her devotees.</p>
</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>The first story dates back to the end of the 16th century and is a Hindu shepherd boy&rsquo;s sighting the Virgin Mary by a pond. She asked the boy for milk for her son, Jesus. The boy readily offered the milk. Locals remain intrigued until the Mother appeared at the site again. Thereafter, the pond was known as &ldquo;Matha Kulam&rdquo; or &ldquo;Our Lady&rsquo;s Pond&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The second event is said to have happened a few years later. A crippled boy in Nadu, Thittu was apparently cured by the Virgin Mother after he offered her buttermilk. The Catholic residents of a nearby town then built a shrine in recognition of the healing.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.velankannichurch.com/pages/historyofvailankanni/historyofvailankanni.html">In the late 17th century</a>, Portuguese sailors transformed this early construction into a chapel, based on vows made during rough seas between China and Colombo on a merchant&#39;s vessel.</p>

<p>Today, Our Lady of Valenkanni has special meaning for both Hindu and Christian devotees because of the miracles she is associated with, including the <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1227_041226_tsunami.html">2004 Boxing Day tsunami</a> which caused massive destruction in Tamil Nadu. Basilica officials were quick to report this as a miracle, as <a href="http://www.tfp.org/a-ray-of-hope-in-southern-asia/">2,000 pilgrims</a> were attending mass when the town of Valenkanni was hit. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4130129.stm">News sources</a> and <a href="http://www.who.int/hac/crises/international/asia_tsunami/sitrep/en">official disaster reports</a> showed that the basilica was the only building to escape this large-scale catastrophe.</p>

<p><strong>Acts of devotion</strong></p>

<p>Some devotees make offerings to the Virgin Mary through purchases of expensive fabric for a sari. This is associated with the historical and symbolic depiction of the <a href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/24764255?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents">Virgin Mary draped in a saffron sari</a>, a common garb across the subcontinent. There are others who make sari offerings to the poor upon fulfillment of their vows.</p>

<figure class="align-right "><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/153213/width237/image-20170118-3914-gvkyhg.jpg" />
<figcaption>
<p><span class="caption">The Virgin Mary wearing a sari in the Karachi church dedicated to her devotion.</span></p>

<p>One woman, I spoke to as part of my research, a Goan Christian born in Karachi, was taught devotion by her grandmother. In 2004 when she was visiting Valenkanni, she prayed to Our Lady of Good Health to be blessed with the gift of a child.</p>
</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>Nearly a year and a half after her return to Karachi, she gave birth to a boy. A few years later, she and her family completed rituals to fulfill their vow. She cut off four inches of hair while her husband and son shaved their heads. They bathed in the sea as part of the ritual. These practices are <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0009640708002023">taken from the Hindu faith</a>, showing that interfaith exchanges go both ways.</p>

<p>Since then, the woman has worn a head-covering during prayer times as a lifelong promise to the mother for the graces received through her son.</p>

<p>I heard other tales of devotion from A M Anthony&rsquo;s granddaughter:</p>

<blockquote>
<p><strong>There was a lady who would not wear shoes. She would be spotted even at weddings without shoes &hellip; Imagine going everywhere barefoot in Karachi&rsquo;s heat. But that is how she fulfilled her vow and everyone knew about it.</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong>Spirituality and togetherness</strong></p>

<p>Annually, <a href="http://tribune.com.pk/story/947318/the-power-of-faith-hindus-celebrate-the-lady-of-good-health-with-catholics/">hundreds of devotees</a> come together in the premises of churches across Karachi and in Tamil Nadu to hoist a flag bearing an image of Our Lady of Valenkanni and partake in a short prayer followed by other rituals including the distribution of blessed medals by a priest.</p>

<p>The ceremony devoted to Our Lady of Valenkanni occurs on September 8, marking the <a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=357">birthday of the Virgin Mary</a>.</p>

<p>Each year, Our Lady of Valenkanni&rsquo;s statue in Karachi is decorated with fresh flowers and streamers.</p>

<figure class="align-center "><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/153079/width754/image-20170117-21172-w5l898.jpg" />
<figcaption>
<p><span class="caption">Nativity prepared by devotees in Karachi.</span></p>
</figcaption>
</figure>

<p>This day sees some members from the Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Muslim communities all venerating the Virgin Mary.</p>

<p>As the parish priest told me, &ldquo;Mary brings everyone together and it makes sense why you would see Muslims here who can tell you a lot about Surah Maryam.&rdquo; Named after Virgin Mary, <a href="http://ahadees.com/english-surah-19.html">Surah Maryam</a> appears in the 19th chapter of the Qu&rsquo;ran.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Muslims do not partake in <em>novena</em> prayers, but on September 8, they come here to respect Mary as the Mother of Jesus&rdquo;, Rodrigues said.</p>

<p><img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/71030/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />For believers, miracles are not just about the healing of ailments and turning water into wine. They can be a way of dealing with the dominant, narrow and bigoted narrative prevalent in Pakistan&rsquo;s society.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-virgin-mary-brings-together-different-faiths-in-pakistan-and-india-71030">original article</a>.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


?Mary brings everyone together and it makes sense why you would see Muslims here who can tell you a lot about Surah Maryam," says the parish priest in Karachi

Karachi is the most violent city in Pakistan. A total of 1,046 deaths related to terror and militancy were reported there in 2016, and nearly 50 per cent of the city’s young people want to leave Pakistan completely. The violence has various causes, including divisions over politics, religion, and ethnicity, as well as organised crime. More than 70 Christians were killed while celebrating Easter in a park in 2016. The forced conversion of Hindu girls and the marginalisation of community members have been among other factors fuelling feelings of insecurity and isolation for minorities. For many members of threatened minority communities, places of worship offer solace. They also represent an important lesson for Pakistan's fragmented society. This can most clearly be seen in the religious crossover, known as syncretism, between Hindus and Christians, who both venerate the Virgin Mary in Karachi. It serves as a vital message of the need to coexist and create structures that minimise discrimination. A look back in history The history of Tamil and Goan Christian devotees in Karachi can be traced back to nearly 50 years ago when A M Anthony, a Tamil Christian, established Saint Anthony’s Club at his house on Somerset Street, in the town of Saddar, a neighbourhood of Karachi. As described to me by his granddaughter, devotees would gather to recite novena or nine-day, prayers to ask the Virgin Mary for blessings and good health. The Virgin Mary is known as Our Lady of Valenkanni, based on apparitions she is believed to have made in the Indian town of Velankanni, in Tamil Nadu state, 2,000km south of Karachi. After his landlord objected to the loud singing and recitation, Anthony and his fellow Christians, many of them immigrants from Chennai and Goa, were allowed a hall space in the premises of St. Anthony’s Church. The Christian devotees then invited both Hindus and Zoroastrians to join them in asking for benediction. In this way, novena prayers to Our Lady of Valenkanni became a part of Catholic churches’ ceremonial activities across Karachi and opened up the veneration of the Virgin Mary to new faiths. For some Hindu devotees, Our Lady of Velankanni symbolises prosperity, aspirations, well-being, while providing answers to their prayers. The origins of Our Lady of Velankanni Of course, the home of Our Lady of Velankanni is in the town of Velankanni itself, which also demonstrates the intersection of Hindu and Catholic practices in contemporary religion. The basilica attracts millions of devotees each year. As in Karachi, these include both Catholic and Hindu residents. Some Catholic devotees from Karachi embark on a spiritual journey to the Basilica of Our Lady of Valenkanni to ask the Mother for favours and intercessory graces. Basilica Our Lady of Velankanni in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Three accounts of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Velankanni have been documented over the years, and subsequently narrated by her devotees. The first story dates back to the end of the 16th century and is a Hindu shepherd boy’s sighting the Virgin Mary by a pond. She asked the boy for milk for her son, Jesus. The boy readily offered the milk. Locals remain intrigued until the Mother appeared at the site again. Thereafter, the pond was known as “Matha Kulam” or “Our Lady’s Pond”. The second event is said to have happened a few years later. A crippled boy in Nadu, Thittu was apparently cured by the Virgin Mother after he offered her buttermilk. The Catholic residents of a nearby town then built a shrine in recognition of the healing. In the late 17th century, Portuguese sailors transformed this early construction into a chapel, based on vows made during rough seas between China and Colombo on a merchant's vessel. Today, Our Lady of Valenkanni has special meaning for both Hindu and Christian devotees because of the miracles she is associated with, including the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami which caused massive destruction in Tamil Nadu. Basilica officials were quick to report this as a miracle, as 2,000 pilgrims were attending mass when the town of Valenkanni was hit. News sources and official disaster reports showed that the basilica was the only building to escape this large-scale catastrophe. Acts of devotion Some devotees make offerings to the Virgin Mary through purchases of expensive fabric for a sari. This is associated with the historical and symbolic depiction of the Virgin Mary draped in a saffron sari, a common garb across the subcontinent. There are others who make sari offerings to the poor upon fulfillment of their vows. The Virgin Mary wearing a sari in the Karachi church dedicated to her devotion. One woman, I spoke to as part of my research, a Goan Christian born in Karachi, was taught devotion by her grandmother. In 2004 when she was visiting Valenkanni, she prayed to Our Lady of Good Health to be blessed with the gift of a child. Nearly a year and a half after her return to Karachi, she gave birth to a boy. A few years later, she and her family completed rituals to fulfill their vow. She cut off four inches of hair while her husband and son shaved their heads. They bathed in the sea as part of the ritual. These practices are taken from the Hindu faith, showing that interfaith exchanges go both ways. Since then, the woman has worn a head-covering during prayer times as a lifelong promise to the mother for the graces received through her son. I heard other tales of devotion from A M Anthony’s granddaughter: There was a lady who would not wear shoes. She would be spotted even at weddings without shoes … Imagine going everywhere barefoot in Karachi’s heat. But that is how she fulfilled her vow and everyone knew about it. Spirituality and togetherness Annually, hundreds of devotees come together in the premises of churches across Karachi and in Tamil Nadu to hoist a flag bearing an image of Our Lady of Valenkanni and partake in a short prayer followed by other rituals including the distribution of blessed medals by a priest. The ceremony devoted to Our Lady of Valenkanni occurs on September 8, marking the birthday of the Virgin Mary. Each year, Our Lady of Valenkanni’s statue in Karachi is decorated with fresh flowers and streamers. Nativity prepared by devotees in Karachi. This day sees some members from the Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Muslim communities all venerating the Virgin Mary. As the parish priest told me, “Mary brings everyone together and it makes sense why you would see Muslims here who can tell you a lot about Surah Maryam.” Named after Virgin Mary, Surah Maryam appears in the 19th chapter of the Qu’ran. “Muslims do not partake in novena prayers, but on September 8, they come here to respect Mary as the Mother of Jesus”, Rodrigues said. For believers, miracles are not just about the healing of ailments and turning water into wine. They can be a way of dealing with the dominant, narrow and bigoted narrative prevalent in Pakistan’s society. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

Hindus, Muslims and Christians overcome bigotry in Pakistan to worship Virgin Mary

<p>The row over former President APJ Abdul Kalam&#39;s memorial has snowballed further with the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) objecting to the placing of a Quran and Bible next to a sculpture of the Bhagavad Gita.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The books were placed there by President Kalam&#39;s family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their intention was to say that the former president was &quot;above religion&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The memorial to Kalam -- in his hometown of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu -- was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The controversy erupted after one of the statues of the former president unveiled at the inauguration ceremony showed Kalam playing the veena with a copy of the Gita placed before him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The row was initially triggered by protests by MDMK chief Vaiko who questioned the appropriateness of placing the Gita before the statue of Kalam given his image as someone who was above religion.</p>

<p>The Hindu newspaper reported Vaiko as saying associating Kalam with Thirukural, a classic of Tamil literature -- Kalam was reportedly fondest of it -- would have been more appropriate.</p>

<p>Following which, the Hindu reported, Kalam&#39;s grandnephew APJM Sheik Saleem placed a copy of the Quran and the Bible near the sculpture of the Bhagavad Gita.&nbsp;</p>


The Hindu Makkal Katchi has objected to the placing of a Quran and Bible next to a sculpture of the Bhagavad Gita

The row over former President APJ Abdul Kalam's memorial has snowballed further with the Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) objecting to the placing of a Quran and Bible next to a sculpture of the Bhagavad Gita. The books were placed there by President Kalam's family. Their intention was to say that the former president was "above religion". The memorial to Kalam -- in his hometown of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu -- was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27. The controversy erupted after one of the statues of the former president unveiled at the inauguration ceremony showed Kalam playing the veena with a copy of the Gita placed before him. The row was initially triggered by protests by MDMK chief Vaiko who questioned the appropriateness of placing the Gita before the statue of Kalam given his image as someone who was above religion. The Hindu newspaper reported Vaiko as saying associating Kalam with Thirukural, a classic of Tamil literature -- Kalam was reportedly fondest of it -- would have been more appropriate. Following which, the Hindu reported, Kalam's grandnephew APJM Sheik Saleem placed a copy of the Quran and the Bible near the sculpture of the Bhagavad Gita.

Row over Kalam statue with Gita next to it snowballs

<p>Guessing games were probably his favourite. Actor Rajinikanth has been playing one for over two decades now. When on May 15 he declared &ndash; once again &ndash; that God-willing he would join politics &ndash; the actor might have had his fans excited but most certainly left the ordinary people of Tamil Nadu exasperated.</p>

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<h5>Rajinikanth&rsquo;s imminent entry into politics has kept doing rounds every time there was an election in the state.</h5>
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<p>Since 1996 when Rajinikanth had voiced his opinion against the &lsquo;autocratic&rsquo; Jayalalithaa regime and urged the electorate to vote it out of power, speculation about Rajinikanth&rsquo;s imminent entry into politics has kept doing rounds every time there was an election in the state. Even if the entry wouldn&rsquo;t happen, cadres hoped that Rajini would atleast lend his voice in favour or against a particular party indicating which way to go. So even when hashtag was a still new concept in Tamil Nadu, Rajinivoice was becoming a trend.</p>

<p>Whether the trend was in any way reflective of the larger public opinion in the state is anybody&rsquo;s guess. There has been a running dispute over the magic of Rajini voice in 1996. Some observers say that the voice worked only because it complemented the already-existing overwhelming sentiment against Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s misrule between 1991 to1996. The sentiment was so strong it led to split in Tamil Nadu Congress Committee when the party decided to align with Jayalalithaa. The newly launched Tamil Maanila Congress in alliance with the DMK swept the polls in 1996.</p>

<p>In 2004, Rajinikanth &lsquo;voiced&rsquo; his opinion yet again. This time it was against Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which had earlier campaigned against his smoking scenes on screen. PMK was contesting in five Parliamentary constituencies and Rajinikanth not just gave his voice but exhorted his cadres to work in the five constituencies against the PMK. Ironically, PMK won in all the constituencies.</p>

<p>Despite the snub, Rajinikanth&rsquo;s voice or the absence of it, Rajinikanth&rsquo;s entry into politics or the indecisiveness of it has never failed to generate huge interest across the state. When Rajinikanth met his cadres in May, several Tamil channels went live with it and broke news about his &lsquo;hinting at entering politics.&rsquo; Only it was not the first time that he was dropping such a hint.</p>

<p>While he had always maintained that God-willing, he would &lsquo;don any role&rsquo; his ardent supporters think the time is just ripe for him to make his political entry.</p>

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<h5>For over three decades, Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi have dominated the Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s politics so emphatically that their absence has led the state&rsquo;s politics to chaos and in a state of flux.</h5>
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<p>Many opine Rajinikanth could fill the political vacuum created by Jayalalithaa&rsquo;s death and M Karunanidhi&rsquo;s inactivity. For over three decades, Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi have dominated the Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s politics so emphatically that their absence has led the state&rsquo;s politics to chaos and in a state of flux.</p>

<p>With the kind of charisma and following that Rajinikanth enjoys in the state, he could effortlessly step into their shoes. Or so they think. But there are others who think Rajinikanth has lost his chance in 1996 when the state was looking for a powerful alternative to Jayalalithaa. Rajinikanth might just have clicked if he had taken the plunge back then.</p>

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<h5>It probably would not even matter that Rajinikanth might choose his own new outfit as long as&nbsp;he is willing to endorse the BJP in the State by way of alliances.</h5>
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<p>But now, at least for the BJP, Rajinikanth could be their lucky charm to crack the tough Tamil Nadu nut. When the Modi wave swept the country in 2014 elections, Tamil Nadu gave just one representative to the Parliament. The party has since doubled up its efforts to gain a foothold in the state. The local BJP leaders hope that Raijnikanth&rsquo;s entry into politics will give BJP the much needed breakthrough in the state. It probably would not even matter that Rajinikanth might choose his own new outfit as long as&nbsp;he is willing to endorse the BJP in the state by way of alliances.</p>

<p>At the moment, Rajinikanth does seem inclined. Since May, the actor has been meeting leaders and personalities from different walks of life. When he met Ayya Kannu, the farmer who headed the Tamil Nadu farmer&rsquo;s protest at Jantar Mantar recently, Rajinikanth had apparently promised him to take up the issue of interlinking of rivers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Several years ago, the actor had promised to make a donation of Rs 1 crore towards interlinking of rivers. For very evident reasons, it remains a promise on paper.</p>

<p>Rajinikanth had also met Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath recently, giving greater room to speculations about his inching closer to the Hindutva brigade. At least two people Rajinikanth met recently including Sampath confirmed that he was seriously &lsquo;considering entry into politics.&rsquo; But when reporters raised a query recently, he sounded tired. He only had a terse one-line response to them: &ldquo;I do not want to discuss politics.&rdquo; This vacillation perhaps best defines Rajinikanth. Whether he will be able to break his over two decade long uncertainty to become BJP&rsquo;s face in the state is still a tall order. But for someone who has reached dizzying heights from being Kollywood&rsquo;s &lsquo;extra actor&rsquo;, it might not be all that impossible.</p>


Rajini would don any role and politics is no exception

Guessing games were probably his favourite. Actor Rajinikanth has been playing one for over two decades now. When on May 15 he declared – once again – that God-willing he would join politics – the actor might have had his fans excited but most certainly left the ordinary people of Tamil Nadu exasperated. Rajinikanth’s imminent entry into politics has kept doing rounds every time there was an election in the state. × Since 1996 when Rajinikanth had voiced his opinion against the ‘autocratic’ Jayalalithaa regime and urged the electorate to vote it out of power, speculation about Rajinikanth’s imminent entry into politics has kept doing rounds every time there was an election in the state. Even if the entry wouldn’t happen, cadres hoped that Rajini would atleast lend his voice in favour or against a particular party indicating which way to go. So even when hashtag was a still new concept in Tamil Nadu, Rajinivoice was becoming a trend. Whether the trend was in any way reflective of the larger public opinion in the state is anybody’s guess. There has been a running dispute over the magic of Rajini voice in 1996. Some observers say that the voice worked only because it complemented the already-existing overwhelming sentiment against Jayalalithaa’s misrule between 1991 to1996. The sentiment was so strong it led to split in Tamil Nadu Congress Committee when the party decided to align with Jayalalithaa. The newly launched Tamil Maanila Congress in alliance with the DMK swept the polls in 1996. In 2004, Rajinikanth ‘voiced’ his opinion yet again. This time it was against Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) which had earlier campaigned against his smoking scenes on screen. PMK was contesting in five Parliamentary constituencies and Rajinikanth not just gave his voice but exhorted his cadres to work in the five constituencies against the PMK. Ironically, PMK won in all the constituencies. Despite the snub, Rajinikanth’s voice or the absence of it, Rajinikanth’s entry into politics or the indecisiveness of it has never failed to generate huge interest across the state. When Rajinikanth met his cadres in May, several Tamil channels went live with it and broke news about his ‘hinting at entering politics.’ Only it was not the first time that he was dropping such a hint. While he had always maintained that God-willing, he would ‘don any role’ his ardent supporters think the time is just ripe for him to make his political entry. For over three decades, Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi have dominated the Tamil Nadu’s politics so emphatically that their absence has led the state’s politics to chaos and in a state of flux. × Many opine Rajinikanth could fill the political vacuum created by Jayalalithaa’s death and M Karunanidhi’s inactivity. For over three decades, Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi have dominated the Tamil Nadu’s politics so emphatically that their absence has led the state’s politics to chaos and in a state of flux. With the kind of charisma and following that Rajinikanth enjoys in the state, he could effortlessly step into their shoes. Or so they think. But there are others who think Rajinikanth has lost his chance in 1996 when the state was looking for a powerful alternative to Jayalalithaa. Rajinikanth might just have clicked if he had taken the plunge back then. It probably would not even matter that Rajinikanth might choose his own new outfit as long as he is willing to endorse the BJP in the State by way of alliances. × But now, at least for the BJP, Rajinikanth could be their lucky charm to crack the tough Tamil Nadu nut. When the Modi wave swept the country in 2014 elections, Tamil Nadu gave just one representative to the Parliament. The party has since doubled up its efforts to gain a foothold in the state. The local BJP leaders hope that Raijnikanth’s entry into politics will give BJP the much needed breakthrough in the state. It probably would not even matter that Rajinikanth might choose his own new outfit as long as he is willing to endorse the BJP in the state by way of alliances. At the moment, Rajinikanth does seem inclined. Since May, the actor has been meeting leaders and personalities from different walks of life. When he met Ayya Kannu, the farmer who headed the Tamil Nadu farmer’s protest at Jantar Mantar recently, Rajinikanth had apparently promised him to take up the issue of interlinking of rivers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Several years ago, the actor had promised to make a donation of Rs 1 crore towards interlinking of rivers. For very evident reasons, it remains a promise on paper. Rajinikanth had also met Hindu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath recently, giving greater room to speculations about his inching closer to the Hindutva brigade. At least two people Rajinikanth met recently including Sampath confirmed that he was seriously ‘considering entry into politics.’ But when reporters raised a query recently, he sounded tired. He only had a terse one-line response to them: “I do not want to discuss politics.” This vacillation perhaps best defines Rajinikanth. Whether he will be able to break his over two decade long uncertainty to become BJP’s face in the state is still a tall order. But for someone who has reached dizzying heights from being Kollywood’s ‘extra actor’, it might not be all that impossible.

Can superhero Rajinikanth be BJP?s lucky charm in Tamil Nadu?

<p>A 40-year-old security guard posted at the bungalow of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on her Kodanad tea estate in the Nilgiris in Kerala was found murdered, police said Monday.</p>

<p>Another on-duty security guard was also&nbsp;injured, PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Police said the attack was carried out by a group of unidentified men who allegedly broke into the bungalow to steal valuables and some documents, PTI reported.</p>

<p>Villagers reportedly told police that&nbsp;a 10-member gang, in two vehicles, was seen entering the area in the early hours of the day. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident came to light when workers at the estate found the deceased Om Bahadur, along with Kishore Bahadur, lying in a pool of blood, their legs and hands bound, PTI reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Superintendent of Police Murali Ramba&nbsp;visited the spot and held an&nbsp;inquiry.</p>

<p>Kishore Bahadur has been admitted to hospital.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All police check posts in the Nilgiris district, connecting the states of Karnataka and Kerala, have been alerted,</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


Police said the attack was carried out by a gang of unidentified men who broke in to steal valuables and documents

A 40-year-old security guard posted at the bungalow of late Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on her Kodanad tea estate in the Nilgiris in Kerala was found murdered, police said Monday. Another on-duty security guard was also injured, PTI reported. Police said the attack was carried out by a group of unidentified men who allegedly broke into the bungalow to steal valuables and some documents, PTI reported. Villagers reportedly told police that a 10-member gang, in two vehicles, was seen entering the area in the early hours of the day. The incident came to light when workers at the estate found the deceased Om Bahadur, along with Kishore Bahadur, lying in a pool of blood, their legs and hands bound, PTI reported. Superintendent of Police Murali Ramba visited the spot and held an inquiry. Kishore Bahadur has been admitted to hospital. All police check posts in the Nilgiris district, connecting the states of Karnataka and Kerala, have been alerted, (WION with inputs from PTI)

Security guard at late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa's tea estate murdered

<p>Grabbing eyeballs with their bizarre way of protest, Tamil Nadu farmers on Saturday drank urine in another desperate bid to draw the government&#39;s attention towards their plight.</p>

<p>Over the last 39 days, they have shaved half of their moustache and head, kept mice and snakes in their mouths, conducted mock funerals, flogged themselves and carried skulls of other farmers, who had committed suicide due to debt pressure.</p>

<p>The farmers, whose protest entered the 40th day, drank urine even as police tried to stop them.</p>

<p>They have been demanding a loan waiver, a revised drought relief package and better support prices for their produce.</p>

<p>P Ayyakkannu, who is leading the protest, said: &quot;The Union government is not giving us water. So we are consuming urine.&quot;</p>

<p>The protesters had on Friday said they would drink urine if the Centre failed to offer a solution to their problems within a day.</p>

<p>On April 10, they had stripped in front of the prime minister&#39;s office here to press for their demands.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


The farmers have been protesting in New Delhi for the last 40 days

Grabbing eyeballs with their bizarre way of protest, Tamil Nadu farmers on Saturday drank urine in another desperate bid to draw the government's attention towards their plight. Over the last 39 days, they have shaved half of their moustache and head, kept mice and snakes in their mouths, conducted mock funerals, flogged themselves and carried skulls of other farmers, who had committed suicide due to debt pressure. The farmers, whose protest entered the 40th day, drank urine even as police tried to stop them. They have been demanding a loan waiver, a revised drought relief package and better support prices for their produce. P Ayyakkannu, who is leading the protest, said: "The Union government is not giving us water. So we are consuming urine." The protesters had on Friday said they would drink urine if the Centre failed to offer a solution to their problems within a day. On April 10, they had stripped in front of the prime minister's office here to press for their demands. (PTI)

India: Protesting Tamil Nadu farmers now drink urine to grab government's attention

<p>AIADMK AMMA deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran has called a meeting of his party MLAs at 3 pm today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran is the nephew of the party&#39;s general secretary VK Sasikala, who is currently in jail after she was found guilty in a disproportionate assets case. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran and Sasikala were ousted earlier from the party, with Tamil Nadu finance minister D Jayakumar saying they had been &quot;delinked&quot;. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The demand for the duo&#39;s ouster had come from former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who had earlier been unseated from the chief ministership by Sasikala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His faction of the party and the one headed by current chief minister&nbsp;E Palaniswamy had been discussing a merger of the two factions.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Both factions will talk to fulfil the aspirations of lakhs of party workers: O Panneerselvam <a href="https://t.co/RFB8EYgeQi">pic.twitter.com/RFB8EYgeQi</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/854584666384244739">April 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The EPS (E Palaniswamy) faction is reportedly keen on a merger with the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is reportedly because of the string of bad luck the EPS faction has been hit by.</p>

<p>The faction&#39;s (former) supremo VK Sasikala is in jail.</p>

<p>The Delhi Police has filed charges against her nephew Dinakaran, accusing him of trying to bribe an Election Commission (EC) official to hand over the party&#39;s former &quot;two leaves&quot; symbol to his faction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two leaves symbol is well recognised in Tamil Nadu, and both factions reportedly believe the party would do better if it fought under that banner rather than under the new symbols the EC has given the two factions.</p>

<p>The EPS faction has been given a hat as its symbol, the OPS faction an electric pole.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some AIADMK MLAs have rallied around Dinakaran. &nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Former chief minister O Panneerselvam, while going to Madurai, had said that he was ready for the merger without any conditions, which was acceptable to us. But when he imposed the condition today, we decided not to consider this. We will never accept this condition. Because it was TTV Dinakaran, who gave a new direction to the AIADMK,&quot; ANI reported party AIADMK Amma Nanjil Sampath saying.</p>

<p>He hinted that more MLAs would join the Dinakaran camp, with ANI quoting him as saying, &quot;In the coming two days, the AIADMK will emerge strongly under the leadership of Dinakaran. All party cadres, members and support Dinakaran. All the splitters would join Dinakaran.&quot;</p>

<p>His sentiments were echoed by AIADMK Amma MLA P Vetrivel, whom ANI quoted as saying that they would &quot;never accept the decision&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dinakaran was quoted as saying his ouster had come about because of &quot;fear&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>O Panneerselvam later said this -- the ouster of Sasikala and Dinakaran -- was his faction&#39;s first victory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>(WION)&nbsp;</p>


Some MLAs have rallied around him, say they will 'never accept the decision'

AIADMK AMMA deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran has called a meeting of his party MLAs at 3 pm today. Dinakaran is the nephew of the party's general secretary VK Sasikala, who is currently in jail after she was found guilty in a disproportionate assets case. Dinakaran and Sasikala were ousted earlier from the party, with Tamil Nadu finance minister D Jayakumar saying they had been "delinked". The demand for the duo's ouster had come from former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who had earlier been unseated from the chief ministership by Sasikala. His faction of the party and the one headed by current chief minister E Palaniswamy had been discussing a merger of the two factions. Both factions will talk to fulfil the aspirations of lakhs of party workers: O Panneerselvam pic.twitter.com/RFB8EYgeQi — ANI (@ANI_news) April 19, 2017 × The EPS (E Palaniswamy) faction is reportedly keen on a merger with the OPS (Panneerselvam) faction. This is reportedly because of the string of bad luck the EPS faction has been hit by. The faction's (former) supremo VK Sasikala is in jail. The Delhi Police has filed charges against her nephew Dinakaran, accusing him of trying to bribe an Election Commission (EC) official to hand over the party's former "two leaves" symbol to his faction. The two leaves symbol is well recognised in Tamil Nadu, and both factions reportedly believe the party would do better if it fought under that banner rather than under the new symbols the EC has given the two factions. The EPS faction has been given a hat as its symbol, the OPS faction an electric pole. Some AIADMK MLAs have rallied around Dinakaran. "Former chief minister O Panneerselvam, while going to Madurai, had said that he was ready for the merger without any conditions, which was acceptable to us. But when he imposed the condition today, we decided not to consider this. We will never accept this condition. Because it was TTV Dinakaran, who gave a new direction to the AIADMK," ANI reported party AIADMK Amma Nanjil Sampath saying. He hinted that more MLAs would join the Dinakaran camp, with ANI quoting him as saying, "In the coming two days, the AIADMK will emerge strongly under the leadership of Dinakaran. All party cadres, members and support Dinakaran. All the splitters would join Dinakaran." His sentiments were echoed by AIADMK Amma MLA P Vetrivel, whom ANI quoted as saying that they would "never accept the decision". Dinakaran was quoted as saying his ouster had come about because of "fear". O Panneerselvam later said this -- the ouster of Sasikala and Dinakaran -- was his faction's first victory. (WION)

Dinakaran ousted from AIADMK Amma, he calls meeting of party MLAs

<p>At least twenty-two&nbsp;people are feared trapped in a building collapse in Vellore in India&#39;s southern state of&nbsp;Tamil Nadu, media reports said.</p>

<p><strong>Developing...</strong></p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


There are reports of a building collapse in Vellore in the southern state of Tamil Nadu

At least twenty-two people are feared trapped in a building collapse in Vellore in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, media reports said. Developing... (WION)

22 people feared trapped in Vellore building collapse

<p><br />
Tractor sales in India are likely to grow&nbsp;in double digits in the fiscal year that started on April 1, following a decision by at least two states to waive some loans to farmers, India&#39;s biggest tractor maker said on Wednesday.</p>

<p>India&#39;s tractor industry posted 18 per cent volume growth in the fiscal year that ended March 31.</p>

<p>Nearly two-thirds of farmers in India buy tractors via bank loans and a waiver by two states on loans to farmers whose crops have been hit by poor weather for crops will make them eligible for fresh borrowing. Other states are considering similar moves.</p>

<p>&quot;The farm loan waiver is certainly a positive enabler for the industry,&quot; Rajesh Jejurikar, the head of Mahindra &amp; Mahindra&#39;s farm equipment division, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Mahindra launched new tractor platform Jivo, aiming to boost its sales of small tractors, Jejurikar said.</p>

<p>India&#39;s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, said on Tuesday it would waive $5.6 billion of loans to help millions of farmers reeling from losses after unfavourable weather in the past few years hit their crops.</p>

<p>The southern state of Tamil Nadu has also waived farm loans, while the western state of Maharashtra and northern state of Punjab are considering writing off loans to smallholders.</p>

<p>(Reuters)</p>


Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have both waived some loans to farmers, while Punjab and Maharashtra are considering doing the same

Tractor sales in India are likely to grow in double digits in the fiscal year that started on April 1, following a decision by at least two states to waive some loans to farmers, India's biggest tractor maker said on Wednesday. India's tractor industry posted 18 per cent volume growth in the fiscal year that ended March 31. Nearly two-thirds of farmers in India buy tractors via bank loans and a waiver by two states on loans to farmers whose crops have been hit by poor weather for crops will make them eligible for fresh borrowing. Other states are considering similar moves. "The farm loan waiver is certainly a positive enabler for the industry," Rajesh Jejurikar, the head of Mahindra & Mahindra's farm equipment division, told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference. On Wednesday, Mahindra launched new tractor platform Jivo, aiming to boost its sales of small tractors, Jejurikar said. India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, said on Tuesday it would waive $5.6 billion of loans to help millions of farmers reeling from losses after unfavourable weather in the past few years hit their crops. The southern state of Tamil Nadu has also waived farm loans, while the western state of Maharashtra and northern state of Punjab are considering writing off loans to smallholders. (Reuters)

Indian tractor sales seen rising as regions waive farm loans

<p>The killing of an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu was taken up with the Sri Lankan prime minister by the Indian high commissioner on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And news organisations here reported sources as saying the Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full probe into the killing. But they added that the Sri Lankan Navy has not yet admitted to the killing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>22-year-old Brigdo, from the island of Rameswaram, which lies in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lank, was was shot dead on Monday, allegedly by Lankan Navy personnel.</p>

<p>A protest broke out in Rameshwaram on Tuesday, with thousands of people amassing at Brigdo&#39;s home. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>News organisations said Brigdo&#39;s family was refusing to take back his body, without the government assuring them that it would take action.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="et">Tamil Nadu: Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi party workers climb tower in protest against Sri Lankan Navy in Rameswaram <a href="https://t.co/4MUOOiTAao">pic.twitter.com/4MUOOiTAao</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/838981759983357952">March 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The protesting fishermen also demanded the arrest of the Lankan navy personnel involved in the shooting.</p>

<p>The fishermen alleged there was no proper coordination between Lankan and Indian officials over the issue of fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait.</p>

<p>They demanded the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy as also the boats seized by them.</p>

<p>Policemen have been deployed on the island to monitor the situation.</p>

<p>Bridgo, from Thangachimadam in central Rameswaram, was fishing near the islet when Sri Lankan naval personnel allegedly opened fire.</p>

<p>Fisheries Department Assistant Director Kulanchinathan said Bridgo was shot in the neck and died on the spot.</p>

<p>Another fisherman, Saravanan (22), was injured in the firing. The other fisheremen there escaped unhurt and returned to shore, he had said yesterday.</p>

<p>The Tamil Nadu government had recently protested the rise in the cases of its fishermen being arrested by Sri Lanka, saying the Indian government did &quot;not seem to put adequate pressure&quot; on Colombo in the matter.</p>

<p>Noting that there were currently 85 fishermen and 128 fishing boats in Lankan custody, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had urged the Prime Minister to direct foreign ministry officials to take concrete action through diplomatic channels to secure their release.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


The Indian high commissioner had taken up the matter with the Sri Lankan PM; the Lankan navy however has not yet admitted to the killing

The killing of an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu was taken up with the Sri Lankan prime minister by the Indian high commissioner on Monday. And news organisations here reported sources as saying the Sri Lankan Navy has promised a full probe into the killing. But they added that the Sri Lankan Navy has not yet admitted to the killing. 22-year-old Brigdo, from the island of Rameswaram, which lies in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lank, was was shot dead on Monday, allegedly by Lankan Navy personnel. A protest broke out in Rameshwaram on Tuesday, with thousands of people amassing at Brigdo's home. News organisations said Brigdo's family was refusing to take back his body, without the government assuring them that it would take action. Tamil Nadu: Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi party workers climb tower in protest against Sri Lankan Navy in Rameswaram pic.twitter.com/4MUOOiTAao — ANI (@ANI_news) March 7, 2017 × The protesting fishermen also demanded the arrest of the Lankan navy personnel involved in the shooting. The fishermen alleged there was no proper coordination between Lankan and Indian officials over the issue of fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait. They demanded the release of all Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy as also the boats seized by them. Policemen have been deployed on the island to monitor the situation. Bridgo, from Thangachimadam in central Rameswaram, was fishing near the islet when Sri Lankan naval personnel allegedly opened fire. Fisheries Department Assistant Director Kulanchinathan said Bridgo was shot in the neck and died on the spot. Another fisherman, Saravanan (22), was injured in the firing. The other fisheremen there escaped unhurt and returned to shore, he had said yesterday. The Tamil Nadu government had recently protested the rise in the cases of its fishermen being arrested by Sri Lanka, saying the Indian government did "not seem to put adequate pressure" on Colombo in the matter. Noting that there were currently 85 fishermen and 128 fishing boats in Lankan custody, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had urged the Prime Minister to direct foreign ministry officials to take concrete action through diplomatic channels to secure their release. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian fisherman's killing: Sri Lanka Navy has promised full probe, say sources

<p>Eight fishermen from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu were held by Sri Lankan Navy on charges of fishing in the island waters, a fisheries deartment official said.</p>

<p>The fishermen had gone into the sea on March 1 in a mechanised boat, Nagapattinam Joint Director of Fisheries, Amala Xavier, said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The fishermen were arrested by the Lankan Navy around midnight yesterday, he said.</p>

<p>One of the arrested fishermen, 35-year-old Sarath, allegedly attempted suicide today by swallowing shards of a broken glass botlle and has been admitted in a government hospital in Triconamalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, he added.</p>

<p>This is the third such incident this week with a total of 61 Indian fishermen in the custody of Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>On March 2, 18 fishermen -- nine from Nagapattinam district, four from Rameswaram and five from nearby Pamban -- were arrested in three batches and their boats impounded by Sri Lankan Navy at different points in the Palk Bay.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the second this week, seeking his intervention to secure the release of all the arrested fishermen.</p>

<p>He had said the arrests of fishermen was creating a &quot;sense of panic and unrest among&quot; the community in the state.</p>

<p>Palaniswami said the fishermen&#39;s right to life and livelihood and right to carry on with fishing in the waters of the Palk Bay were &quot;continuously being infringed upon by Sri Lanka.&quot;</p>

<p>Hours after the detention of 13 fishermen on March 2, Palaniswami had written to Modi seeking his intervention.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, fishermen in Pamban continued their strike for the second day today, demanding the release of their colleagues arrested on March 2.</p>

<p>(WION with inputs from PTI)</p>


This is the third such incident this week with a total of 61 Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka's custody

Eight fishermen from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu were held by Sri Lankan Navy on charges of fishing in the island waters, a fisheries deartment official said. The fishermen had gone into the sea on March 1 in a mechanised boat, Nagapattinam Joint Director of Fisheries, Amala Xavier, said. The fishermen were arrested by the Lankan Navy around midnight yesterday, he said. One of the arrested fishermen, 35-year-old Sarath, allegedly attempted suicide today by swallowing shards of a broken glass botlle and has been admitted in a government hospital in Triconamalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, he added. This is the third such incident this week with a total of 61 Indian fishermen in the custody of Sri Lanka. On March 2, 18 fishermen -- nine from Nagapattinam district, four from Rameswaram and five from nearby Pamban -- were arrested in three batches and their boats impounded by Sri Lankan Navy at different points in the Palk Bay. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami had shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the second this week, seeking his intervention to secure the release of all the arrested fishermen. He had said the arrests of fishermen was creating a "sense of panic and unrest among" the community in the state. Palaniswami said the fishermen's right to life and livelihood and right to carry on with fishing in the waters of the Palk Bay were "continuously being infringed upon by Sri Lanka." Hours after the detention of 13 fishermen on March 2, Palaniswami had written to Modi seeking his intervention. Meanwhile, fishermen in Pamban continued their strike for the second day today, demanding the release of their colleagues arrested on March 2. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Sri Lankan Navy arrests eight Tamil Nadu fishermen, one attempts suicide

<p>The game of thrones saga in India&#39;s southern state of Tamil Nadu continues to rumble on as the opposition party told a high court that the trust vote conducted to choose the next chief minister was unconstitutional.</p>

<p>DMK has argued that the trust vote is invalid because the trust vote was introduced twice in the house.</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu has been a cesspool of ugly politics in recent days as the ruling AIADMK party was riven by infighting over the next political head of the state.</p>

<p>But the bedlam that ensued in the state assembly on Saturday (February 18) -- the day of the trust vote -- capped off a week of tumult in Tamil politics.&nbsp;</p>

<p>KC Palaniswami, who is close to the now-jailed party chief&nbsp;VK Sasikala, won the trust vote by winning support of 122 lawmakers.</p>

<p>On the day of the confidence vote, the DMK asked the speaker to conduct the process via a secret ballot, arguing this would reveal deep divisions in the ruling party.</p>

<p>But when their plea was turned down, the DMK led a vociferous protest in the house and were caught on camera heckling&nbsp;the speaker, forcing the assembly to be adjourned multiple times.</p>

<p>The trust vote took place once all the DMK-affiliated lawmakers were barred from entering the house.</p>

<p>The DMK since has viewed the trust vote as being illegal.</p>

<p>The political bomb started ticking in Tamil Nadu when the then chief minister O Panneerselvam stepped down from his post, which was initially viewed by the commentariat as him paving the way for AIADMK chief Sasikala.</p>

<p>But 48 hours later, the situation spiralled out of control when Panneerselvam said he was forced to resign by party members.</p>

<p>Soon, the AIADMK was split in the middle: one faction backing Sasikala and the other Panneerselvam.</p>

<p>But days later, India&#39;s highest court scythed Sasikala&#39;s bid to become the next chief minister as she was convicted for four years on corruption charges.</p>

<p>But before Sasikala was jailed, she anointed Palaniswami to be fight in her place.</p>

<p>The vanquished Panneerselvam camp, meanwhile, has continued to fight on and promised to raise the issue with the governor of the state.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


AIADMK's KC Palaniswami won the trust vote on Saturday, but rivals DMK argue the result is invalid as the process took place twice

The game of thrones saga in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu continues to rumble on as the opposition party told a high court that the trust vote conducted to choose the next chief minister was unconstitutional. DMK has argued that the trust vote is invalid because the trust vote was introduced twice in the house. Tamil Nadu has been a cesspool of ugly politics in recent days as the ruling AIADMK party was riven by infighting over the next political head of the state. But the bedlam that ensued in the state assembly on Saturday (February 18) -- the day of the trust vote -- capped off a week of tumult in Tamil politics. KC Palaniswami, who is close to the now-jailed party chief VK Sasikala, won the trust vote by winning support of 122 lawmakers. On the day of the confidence vote, the DMK asked the speaker to conduct the process via a secret ballot, arguing this would reveal deep divisions in the ruling party. But when their plea was turned down, the DMK led a vociferous protest in the house and were caught on camera heckling the speaker, forcing the assembly to be adjourned multiple times. The trust vote took place once all the DMK-affiliated lawmakers were barred from entering the house. The DMK since has viewed the trust vote as being illegal. The political bomb started ticking in Tamil Nadu when the then chief minister O Panneerselvam stepped down from his post, which was initially viewed by the commentariat as him paving the way for AIADMK chief Sasikala. But 48 hours later, the situation spiralled out of control when Panneerselvam said he was forced to resign by party members. Soon, the AIADMK was split in the middle: one faction backing Sasikala and the other Panneerselvam. But days later, India's highest court scythed Sasikala's bid to become the next chief minister as she was convicted for four years on corruption charges. But before Sasikala was jailed, she anointed Palaniswami to be fight in her place. The vanquished Panneerselvam camp, meanwhile, has continued to fight on and promised to raise the issue with the governor of the state. (WION)

Tamil Nadu's opposition party moves court over legality of stormy trust vote

<p>Newly-appointed chief minister E Palaniswami on Saturday won the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with 122 MLAs voting in favour of his AIADMK government and 11 from the rival O Panneerselvam camp against.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opposition DMK members, who had earlier declared they would vote against the chief minister, were&nbsp;evicted from the house after creating ruckus and manhandling the speaker of the house. The&nbsp;Congress and IUML (Indian Union Muslim League), also opposition parties,&nbsp;walked out in protest before the crucial voting took place.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> DMK MLAs scuffle with TN Assembly speaker, protesting DMK MLA Ku Ka Selvam sat on speaker chair <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/floortest?src=hash">#floortest</a> (Jaya TV) <a href="https://t.co/CkMQY9FfQx">pic.twitter.com/CkMQY9FfQx</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/832859058105413632">February 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Palaniswami, a Sasikala loyalist, needed&nbsp;to prove that&nbsp;117 of the Assembly&#39;s 234 lawmakers backed him.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The effective strength of the house was&nbsp;reduced to 134 once the DMK&#39;s 88 members were evicted and the Congress&#39; 8 members also walked out. This lowered the number of votes that Palaniswami needed to win a majority.</p>

<p>DMK leader Stalin, who protested at Marina Beach after the vote, was detained by the police along with other legislators of the DMK.</p>

<p>Stalin said he had written a letter to the Governor, stating it was &quot;unconstitutional&quot; of the Speaker to conduct a trust vote in the absence of members of the Opposition.</p>

<p>&quot;Request Tamil Nadu Governor to restore democratic values and order Assembly postponement for conducting secret voting on the Confidence Motion,&quot; MK Stalin said in the letter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Earlier visuals of DMK&#39;s protest at Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach. DMK Working President MK Stalin &amp; other party leaders still in Police detention. <a href="https://t.co/5ZALGvo3vk">pic.twitter.com/5ZALGvo3vk</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/832926187995422720">February 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Stalin earlier met Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao immediately after the trust vote.&nbsp;DMK workers protested outside the Governor&#39;s House alleging that their party&#39;s legialators were forcibly evicted from the house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Panneerselvam camp, meanewhile,&nbsp;claimed that the outcome would have been different&nbsp;had the DMK members not been evicted and voting been done by&nbsp;secret ballot.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&quot;DMK MLAs for three hours kept on repeating their request to save democracy, now in absence of all of us, vote was passed. We doubt its validity,&quot; Panneerselvam alleged.<br />
<br />
&quot;We had kept kept two demands before speaker, one was to send MLAs to their constituencies, but Speaker didn&#39;t agree to them&quot;.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam&nbsp;sympathised with the DMK MLAs who were forcibly evicted from the Assembly.</p>

<p>&quot;It is against democracy and the resolution was passed after they were evicted from the Assembly.&quot;</p>

<p>Asked about the appointment of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala&#39;s family members to top party posts, Pannerselvam said, &quot;If Jayalalihaa was alive, she would have continued to ensure that they did not have any access to the party.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;There were constant threats. Abusive language was used. Things would&#39;ve been different if secret ballot was done,&quot; said K Pandiarajan, former school education minister, who crossed over to the Panneerselvam camp.<br />
<br />
The Assembly was to vote at 11 am but the house was suspended twice on Saturday. The Opposition MLAs were expelled from the house by the speaker, who in turn had been manhandled by opposition lawmakers earlier after he turned down their demand for a secret ballot.&nbsp;&nbsp;Members of the opposition ripped papers, toppled tables and threw microphones to demand a secret ballot that would potentially allow legislators from the ruling AIADMK&nbsp;party to switch sides.</p>

<p>Television footage showed legislators storming the well of the house and manhandling each other, injuring at least one member who was carried out on a stretcher.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The speaker, who was whisked away to safety by marshals, ordered the eviction of disruptive legislators.</p>

<p>Popular South star Kamal Haasan slammed legislators for their unruly behaviour on Twitter.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">There you go. Seems like we have another CM. Jai de-mockcrazy</p>
&mdash; Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/832891742600851456">February 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">People of Tamizhnadu, Welcome your respective MLAs with the respect they desrve back home</p>
&mdash; Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ikamalhaasan/status/832893053362851841">February 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palaniswami and AIADMK legislators paid tribute to Jayalalithaa at her memorial in Chennai&#39;s Marina Beach soon after winning the vote of confidence.</p>

<p>Palaniswami&nbsp;was sworn-in as the chief minister on Thursday (February 16). The governor had given him 15 days to prove his majority in the house.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Rebel former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who had claimed the support of 11 MLAs, had also staked claim to form the government in a meeting with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao earlier this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tamil Nadu was plunged into political crisis two months after&nbsp;Jayalalithaa&#39;s sudden death.</p>

<p>Her close aide Sasikala -- a one-time video cassette seller who has never held political office or stood for election -- emerged as the heir apparent until&nbsp;she was convicted on Tuesday for&nbsp;amassing illegal assets worth $10 million, barring her from holding office for a decade.</p>

<p>The corruption case dates back to the late 1990s, when Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were accused of profiting from the chief minister&#39;s office and acquiring wealth beyond their income.</p>

<p>Sasikala had earlier kept several dozen legislators in a resort outside Chennai over fears her opponents&#39; camp might try to poach them in the battle for succession.</p>

<p><br />
<strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<center><iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWIONews%2Fvideos%2F600151710195468%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe></center>

<p><br />
<br />
(WION with inputs from ANI, AFP)</p>


122 lawmakers voted in the AIADMK's favour. The voting took place in the absence of DMK legislators who were evicted for unruly behaviour

Newly-appointed chief minister E Palaniswami on Saturday won the floor test in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, with 122 MLAs voting in favour of his AIADMK government and 11 from the rival O Panneerselvam camp against. Opposition DMK members, who had earlier declared they would vote against the chief minister, were evicted from the house after creating ruckus and manhandling the speaker of the house. The Congress and IUML (Indian Union Muslim League), also opposition parties, walked out in protest before the crucial voting took place. #WATCH DMK MLAs scuffle with TN Assembly speaker, protesting DMK MLA Ku Ka Selvam sat on speaker chair #floortest (Jaya TV) pic.twitter.com/CkMQY9FfQx — ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017 × Earlier, Palaniswami, a Sasikala loyalist, needed to prove that 117 of the Assembly's 234 lawmakers backed him. The effective strength of the house was reduced to 134 once the DMK's 88 members were evicted and the Congress' 8 members also walked out. This lowered the number of votes that Palaniswami needed to win a majority. DMK leader Stalin, who protested at Marina Beach after the vote, was detained by the police along with other legislators of the DMK. Stalin said he had written a letter to the Governor, stating it was "unconstitutional" of the Speaker to conduct a trust vote in the absence of members of the Opposition. "Request Tamil Nadu Governor to restore democratic values and order Assembly postponement for conducting secret voting on the Confidence Motion," MK Stalin said in the letter. Earlier visuals of DMK's protest at Chennai's Marina Beach. DMK Working President MK Stalin & other party leaders still in Police detention. pic.twitter.com/5ZALGvo3vk — ANI (@ANI_news) February 18, 2017 × Stalin earlier met Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao immediately after the trust vote. DMK workers protested outside the Governor's House alleging that their party's legialators were forcibly evicted from the house. The Panneerselvam camp, meanewhile, claimed that the outcome would have been different had the DMK members not been evicted and voting been done by secret ballot. "DMK MLAs for three hours kept on repeating their request to save democracy, now in absence of all of us, vote was passed. We doubt its validity," Panneerselvam alleged. "We had kept kept two demands before speaker, one was to send MLAs to their constituencies, but Speaker didn't agree to them". Panneerselvam sympathised with the DMK MLAs who were forcibly evicted from the Assembly. "It is against democracy and the resolution was passed after they were evicted from the Assembly." Asked about the appointment of AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala's family members to top party posts, Pannerselvam said, "If Jayalalihaa was alive, she would have continued to ensure that they did not have any access to the party." "There were constant threats. Abusive language was used. Things would've been different if secret ballot was done," said K Pandiarajan, former school education minister, who crossed over to the Panneerselvam camp. The Assembly was to vote at 11 am but the house was suspended twice on Saturday. The Opposition MLAs were expelled from the house by the speaker, who in turn had been manhandled by opposition lawmakers earlier after he turned down their demand for a secret ballot. Members of the opposition ripped papers, toppled tables and threw microphones to demand a secret ballot that would potentially allow legislators from the ruling AIADMK party to switch sides. Television footage showed legislators storming the well of the house and manhandling each other, injuring at least one member who was carried out on a stretcher. The speaker, who was whisked away to safety by marshals, ordered the eviction of disruptive legislators. Popular South star Kamal Haasan slammed legislators for their unruly behaviour on Twitter. There you go. Seems like we have another CM. Jai de-mockcrazy — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 18, 2017 × People of Tamizhnadu, Welcome your respective MLAs with the respect they desrve back home — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) February 18, 2017 × Palaniswami and AIADMK legislators paid tribute to Jayalalithaa at her memorial in Chennai's Marina Beach soon after winning the vote of confidence. Palaniswami was sworn-in as the chief minister on Thursday (February 16). The governor had given him 15 days to prove his majority in the house. Rebel former chief minister O Panneerselvam, who had claimed the support of 11 MLAs, had also staked claim to form the government in a meeting with Governor C Vidyasagar Rao earlier this week. Tamil Nadu was plunged into political crisis two months after Jayalalithaa's sudden death. Her close aide Sasikala -- a one-time video cassette seller who has never held political office or stood for election -- emerged as the heir apparent until she was convicted on Tuesday for amassing illegal assets worth $10 million, barring her from holding office for a decade. The corruption case dates back to the late 1990s, when Jayalalithaa and Sasikala were accused of profiting from the chief minister's office and acquiring wealth beyond their income. Sasikala had earlier kept several dozen legislators in a resort outside Chennai over fears her opponents' camp might try to poach them in the battle for succession. Watch: (WION with inputs from ANI, AFP)

India: Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami wins floor test amid bedlam

<p>Ending the deadlock, the&nbsp;governor of the Indian state of Tamail Nadu, &nbsp;C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday invited AIADMK Legislative Party leader Edapaddi K Palanisamy to form the government. The governor has asked him to seek vote of confidence in 15 days.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-is-palanisamy-12432">Palanisamy</a>, on Wednesday met the governor with his camp claiming support of 124 of the party&#39;s 134 MLAs. Tamil Nadu has a 234-member legislative assembly.</p>

<p>Panneerselvam gave a representation to the governor claiming &quot;majority&quot;&nbsp;support and seeking an opportunity to demonstrate it. The Panneerselvam camp has alleged AIADMK MLAs were held at a resort on Chennai&#39;s outskirts against their wish.</p>

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<p>Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, who was among those who accompanied Palanisamy (in photo), claimed the group has the support of 124 MLAs. (ANI)</p>
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<p>The governor had earlier kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it on Tuesday, restoring her conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of occupying the top seat.</p>

<p>While O Panneerselvam has managed to win over 10 odd MPs and some MLAs, Sasikala has been able to rally the support of an overwhelming majority of AIADMK MLAs.</p>

<p>Before she began serving the remaining&nbsp;three years, 10 months and 27 days sentence in a Karnataka prison this evening, in a surprise move, Sasikala reinducted her close relatives T T V Dinkaran and S Venkatesh into the party, five years after their expulsion by AIADMK supremo and the then chief minister J Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>Sasikala appointed Dinakaran, her nephew and former Rajya Sabha member, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK, a move seen by many as an attempt to hand over the party&#39;s control to him till her return from jail.</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


Palanisamy had met the governor on Wednesday with his camp claiming support of 124 of the party's 134 MLAs

Ending the deadlock, the governor of the Indian state of Tamail Nadu, C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday invited AIADMK Legislative Party leader Edapaddi K Palanisamy to form the government. The governor has asked him to seek vote of confidence in 15 days. Palanisamy, on Wednesday met the governor with his camp claiming support of 124 of the party's 134 MLAs. Tamil Nadu has a 234-member legislative assembly. Panneerselvam gave a representation to the governor claiming "majority" support and seeking an opportunity to demonstrate it. The Panneerselvam camp has alleged AIADMK MLAs were held at a resort on Chennai's outskirts against their wish. Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, who was among those who accompanied Palanisamy (in photo), claimed the group has the support of 124 MLAs. (ANI) × The governor had earlier kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it on Tuesday, restoring her conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of occupying the top seat. While O Panneerselvam has managed to win over 10 odd MPs and some MLAs, Sasikala has been able to rally the support of an overwhelming majority of AIADMK MLAs. Before she began serving the remaining three years, 10 months and 27 days sentence in a Karnataka prison this evening, in a surprise move, Sasikala reinducted her close relatives T T V Dinkaran and S Venkatesh into the party, five years after their expulsion by AIADMK supremo and the then chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Sasikala appointed Dinakaran, her nephew and former Rajya Sabha member, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK, a move seen by many as an attempt to hand over the party's control to him till her return from jail. (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: E Palanisamy to be sworn-in as Tamil Nadu chief minister, will seek vote of confidence in 15 days

<p>G Jagannath</p>

<p>With the two warring factions of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu&#39;s ruling AIADMK party, headed by caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, refusing to blink, all eyes are on governor Vidyasagar Rao&#39;s next move.</p>

<p>Edapaddi K Palanisamy, who was elected as the legislature party leader by Sasikala loyalists, called on the governor again on Wednesday, staking his claim to form the government. Immediately after he left, Panneerselvam reached the Raj Bhavan with his supporters.</p>

<p>After the meeting with the governor, fisheries minister D Jayakumar of Sasikala camp said Palanisamy had the support of 125 MLAs. &quot;We are hoping that the governor will call us to form the government at the earliest. We have given him a list of 125 MLAs supporting him. We hope the governor uphold the democracy and the Constitution,&quot; he told reporters after meeting the governor.</p>

<p>However, Panneerselvam, who met the governor later, did not meet the press. Later, he along with his supporters held a closed-door meeting in his house. Panneerselvam, who has been offered support by only 10 MLAs so far, has been insisting that he would prove his majority on the floor of the House.</p>

<p>There has been no official word from Rao, who, on Monday, was advised by attorney general Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test.</p>

<p>The governor had kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets (DA) case against Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it on Tuesday, restoring her conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of occupying the top seat.</p>

<p>Even after the Sasikala&#39;s conviction, her camp still remains united with the majority of the MLAs with them. Though Panneerselvam camp continued to allege that the MLAs were being held captive in the Golden Bay Resort in Koovathur near Mahabalipuram, the Sasikala camp MLAs and minister continued to brief the press, denying the charges.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Koovathur police registered a case against Sasikala and her supporters on charges of kidnapping and illegally confining party MLAs at a resort following a complaint filed by Madurai South MLA Saravanan, who escaped from the resort to join the OPS camp.</p>

<p>Following the legislator&#39;s complaint, Northern region IG Senthamarai Kanan and Kancheepuram district SP J Mutharasi entered the resort and began inquiries with the MLAs who denied the charges.</p>

<p>Ahead of leaving for Bangalore to surrender before the court following the Supreme Court verdict in the wealth case, Sasikala on Wednesday reinducted her close relatives TTV Dinkaran and S Venkatesh into the party, five years after their expulsion by late Jayalalithaa.</p>

<p>Sasikala appointed Dinakaran, her nephew and former Rajya Sabha member, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK, a move seen by many as an attempt to hand over the party&#39;s control to him till her return from jail.</p>

<p>His appointment prompted V Karuppasamy Pandian, a senior AIADMK leader to resign as the party&#39;s organisation secretary. An angry Pandian went to the extent of questioning Sasikala&#39;s authority of reinducting people expelled by Jayalalithaa, and asking if AIADMK was her &quot;family property&quot;.</p>

<p>(This report first appeared in DNA)</p>


Edapaddi K Palanisamy had called on the governor again on Wednesday, staking his claim to form the government

G Jagannath With the two warring factions of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu's ruling AIADMK party, headed by caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala, refusing to blink, all eyes are on governor Vidyasagar Rao's next move. Edapaddi K Palanisamy, who was elected as the legislature party leader by Sasikala loyalists, called on the governor again on Wednesday, staking his claim to form the government. Immediately after he left, Panneerselvam reached the Raj Bhavan with his supporters. After the meeting with the governor, fisheries minister D Jayakumar of Sasikala camp said Palanisamy had the support of 125 MLAs. "We are hoping that the governor will call us to form the government at the earliest. We have given him a list of 125 MLAs supporting him. We hope the governor uphold the democracy and the Constitution," he told reporters after meeting the governor. However, Panneerselvam, who met the governor later, did not meet the press. Later, he along with his supporters held a closed-door meeting in his house. Panneerselvam, who has been offered support by only 10 MLAs so far, has been insisting that he would prove his majority on the floor of the House. There has been no official word from Rao, who, on Monday, was advised by attorney general Mukul Rohatgi to convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly within a week for holding a composite floor test. The governor had kept his decision pending as the verdict in the disproportionate assets (DA) case against Sasikala, a claimant for chief ministership, was due to be announced by the Supreme Court, which delivered it on Tuesday, restoring her conviction and sentence, which shattered her hopes of occupying the top seat. Even after the Sasikala's conviction, her camp still remains united with the majority of the MLAs with them. Though Panneerselvam camp continued to allege that the MLAs were being held captive in the Golden Bay Resort in Koovathur near Mahabalipuram, the Sasikala camp MLAs and minister continued to brief the press, denying the charges. On Wednesday, Koovathur police registered a case against Sasikala and her supporters on charges of kidnapping and illegally confining party MLAs at a resort following a complaint filed by Madurai South MLA Saravanan, who escaped from the resort to join the OPS camp. Following the legislator's complaint, Northern region IG Senthamarai Kanan and Kancheepuram district SP J Mutharasi entered the resort and began inquiries with the MLAs who denied the charges. Ahead of leaving for Bangalore to surrender before the court following the Supreme Court verdict in the wealth case, Sasikala on Wednesday reinducted her close relatives TTV Dinkaran and S Venkatesh into the party, five years after their expulsion by late Jayalalithaa. Sasikala appointed Dinakaran, her nephew and former Rajya Sabha member, the deputy general secretary of AIADMK, a move seen by many as an attempt to hand over the party's control to him till her return from jail. His appointment prompted V Karuppasamy Pandian, a senior AIADMK leader to resign as the party's organisation secretary. An angry Pandian went to the extent of questioning Sasikala's authority of reinducting people expelled by Jayalalithaa, and asking if AIADMK was her "family property". (This report first appeared in DNA)

India: Warring AIADMK factions refuse to back out, all eyes  on governor

<p>Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today invited AIADMK Legislative Party leader Edapaddi K Palanisamy to form the government, ending the political deadlock which has paralysed the south Indian state for several weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Palanisamy&nbsp;was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu as AIADMK supporters celebrated outside Raj Bhawan today.</p>
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<p>Reports say 31 ministers were&nbsp;sworn in as part of Palanisamy&#39;s cabinet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Chennai: AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy&#39;s oath ceremony. <a href="https://t.co/PXY5mBAUqK">pic.twitter.com/PXY5mBAUqK</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/832167963872489472">February 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, the outgoing chief minister O Panneersevlam vowed to fight his way back after he was sidelined by AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in a political slug fight which transfixed the state and the nation for the past month. In a new development,&nbsp;Panneersevlam has appealed to the Election Commission to disallow the two leaves symbol of the AIADMK.</p>

<p>The man of the moment Edappadi K. Palanisamy who is set to be the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu is a known Sasikala loyalist who&nbsp;belongs to a farmer family from the powerful goundar community. &nbsp;</p>

<p>A four-time MLA from Edapaadi in Salem district, he won the 1989,1991, 2011 and&nbsp;2016 assembly elections. He was a Jayalathiaa loyalist and stood by her when the party split post-MGR&#39;s death in the 80s. He was always an important member of the Jayalathiaa cabinet.</p>

<p>(WION)</p>
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Outgoing chief minister O Panneersevlam vowed to fight his way back

Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today invited AIADMK Legislative Party leader Edapaddi K Palanisamy to form the government, ending the political deadlock which has paralysed the south Indian state for several weeks. Palanisamy was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu as AIADMK supporters celebrated outside Raj Bhawan today. Reports say 31 ministers were sworn in as part of Palanisamy's cabinet. Chennai: AIADMK leaders reach Raj Bhavan for Tamil Nadu cabinet and CM-designate E. Palanisamy's oath ceremony. pic.twitter.com/PXY5mBAUqK — ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 × Meanwhile, the outgoing chief minister O Panneersevlam vowed to fight his way back after he was sidelined by AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala in a political slug fight which transfixed the state and the nation for the past month. In a new development, Panneersevlam has appealed to the Election Commission to disallow the two leaves symbol of the AIADMK. The man of the moment Edappadi K. Palanisamy who is set to be the next chief minister of Tamil Nadu is a known Sasikala loyalist who belongs to a farmer family from the powerful goundar community. A four-time MLA from Edapaadi in Salem district, he won the 1989,1991, 2011 and 2016 assembly elections. He was a Jayalathiaa loyalist and stood by her when the party split post-MGR's death in the 80s. He was always an important member of the Jayalathiaa cabinet. (WION)

Palanisamy sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu

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