Anbumani meets father Ramadoss amid power struggle in PMK

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, June 5 (IANS) In what appears to be an effort to ease tensions within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), party president Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss met his father and party founder Dr. S. Ramadoss at the latter’s residence in Thailapuram Garden on Thursday.

The meeting, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, comes amid an increasingly public rift between the two senior leaders over the party’s direction and leadership control.

Sources said that the closed-door discussion was part of an attempt to bridge the widening gap between the founder and the current president.

The reconciliation effort follows days of mounting speculation regarding a potential power struggle within the party, especially after a series of developments that appeared to sideline Anbumani.

On Wednesday, S. Ramadoss had chaired a meeting with key PMK functionaries at Thailapuram, following which a new list of district secretaries was released — a move seen by many as an assertion of the founder’s continued influence in party affairs.

Notably, the list was issued without a public endorsement from Anbumani, fueling speculation that the internal friction was intensifying.

Earlier this week, while speaking to reporters at his residence, the senior Ramadoss had responded cryptically to a question about whether he planned to meet his son.

“There are many wonders happening in this world, and more wonders will happen,” he remarked, drawing attention to the strained dynamics between the two.

Political observers note that the power tussle within the PMK has implications beyond the party, as it has been a key player in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape and a regular ally of major national parties.

With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections on the horizon, party unity will be crucial for its electoral performance.

Thursday’s meeting is being seen as a possible first step towards resolving the dispute, though no official statement has been released by either leader so far.

Whether the closed-door interaction leads to a realignment of roles or merely serves as a symbolic gesture remains to be seen.

As the PMK cadre and the broader political community watch closely, the spotlight now remains firmly on the next moves of the father-son duo.

–IANS

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Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lt. Colonel

New Delhi, May 14 (IANS) India’s star athlete Neeraj Chopra has been conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Defence in the Gazette of India, a weekly authorised journal of the Government of India, on Wednesday.

Chopra became India’s most successful individual Olympian after he claimed a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the javelin throw, marking his second medal at the Games after his historic gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Chopra became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in Tokyo. He ended his 2024 season with a second-place finish in the prestigious Diamond League Final in Brussels.

“No 3 (E) dated 9 May 2025 in exercise of the powers conferred by Para 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, the president is pleased to confer Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army on Ex-Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025,” the Gazette of India read.

Neeraj was earlier enrolled as a Junior Commissioned Officer in the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army on August 26, 2016, before being promoted to Subedar in 2021 after his heroics in Tokyo.

Like the gold medallist, there are a few more individual medallists at the quadrennial Games who hold ranks in the Indian Army. Abhinav Bindra, who made history in the Beijing 2008 Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win an individual gold medal, was also conferred with the honour of being a Lt. Colonel, and shooter Vijay Kumar was made an honorary Captain after winning a silver medal in 2012.

One of the most famous athletes to receive the honour has been Mahendra Singh Dhoni. After guiding India to major tournament victories, including the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup, he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2011.

–IANS

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Committee report exposed serious gaps, pointed to possible cover-up at Justice Varma’s home: Sources

New Delhi, May 31 (IANS) The committee appointed by then Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, to investigate the fire incident at Justice Yashwant Varma’s residence on March 14 has submitted a sharply critical report.

The findings of this three-judge panel raise significant questions about Justice Varma’s version of events, his actions before and after the fire, and most notably, the presence of burnt currency notes recovered from a storeroom on his 30 Tughlak Crescent residence in New Delhi.

Inadequate defence and unsubstantiated conspiracy claims

Justice Varma, in his written response, attempted to dismiss the allegations by suggesting a vague conspiracy against him. He claimed that videos shared by the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on March 17 were part of a malicious attempt to malign his reputation, sources said.

However, the committee found that Varma failed to identify any specific individuals behind this alleged conspiracy, nor did he provide a credible motive for such targeting. His conspiracy theory remained unsubstantiated and was neither elaborated upon in his reply nor during committee proceedings, sources added.

Inconsistencies and omission of key details

The report highlights a critical inconsistency in Justice Varma’s statements regarding visitors to his residence during the incident, sources said. His initial reply made no mention of his cousin sister and her husband, who arrived from Dubai on the evening of Holi, sources added. This omission raises doubts about the completeness and transparency of his defence.

Security measures undermine claims of unauthorised access

Justice Varma argued that the residential area was porous and accessible, potentially allowing outsiders to plant evidence. The committee categorically rejected this claim, citing robust security arrangements, say sources. The residence is protected by a static detail comprising one plus four security personnel, a Personal Security Officer (PSO) always posted at the gate, and a trusted team of domestic staff living on the premises, sources said, citing the report.

Given these strict controls, the report states that it is virtually impossible for currency to have been planted in the storeroom without the knowledge or involvement of those living in the house, according to sources.

Disputed cause of fire and questionable response

Regarding the cause of the fire, the committee addressed media speculation about an explosion or deliberate arson. Justice Varma only mentioned “arson” after the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court used the term to facilitate the PPS visit, sources said. Officially, Varma maintained that the fire was caused by a short circuit.

The report reportedly slammed him for failing to take any meaningful steps to investigate or secure the scene after returning from Bhopal on March 15, a notable lapse given the seriousness of the incident.

Sudden acceptance of transfer raises eyebrows

Adding to the cloud of suspicion is Justice Varma’s acceptance of a transfer order issued on March 20, shortly after the fire. The committee found it unusual that a senior judge, who had served diligently in the Delhi High Court for nearly ten years, would immediately accept a significant transfer without raising any questions or consulting his family, sources said.

Possible involvement of household staff in the removal of burnt currency

The committee’s report implicates Justice Varma’s closest aides in suspicious activities following the fire. Evidence suggests that trusted household personnel and Justice Varma’s private secretary may have been involved in removing burnt currency from the storeroom during the early hours of March 15, after firemen and police had left the premises, sources said. The absence of any explanation or disclosure from Justice Varma or his staff regarding these actions seriously undermines his credibility, added the sources.

Breach of public trust and integrity concerns

The committee concluded that the trust placed in Justice Varma, who holds one of the highest constitutional offices, was betrayed by his conduct and omissions. The presence of large sums of burnt currency within his residence, coupled with his failure to account for it, constitutes a grave breach of public trust and probity, say sources referring to the report.

–IANS

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Sambhal DM joins women’s SHG to sell herbal gulal ahead of Holi

Sambhal, March 13 (IANS) In a unique initiative ahead of Holi, Rajender Pensiya, District Magistrate of Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, actively participated in selling herbal gulal alongside women from a Self-Help Group (SHG).

Encouraging and assisting the women in marketing their handmade herbal gulal, DM Pensiya’s efforts resulted in sales worth Rs 80,000. This initiative not only promoted their products but also bolstered the self-reliance campaign of the SHG, empowering local women economically.

Holi celebrations in Sambhal began with the traditional Rangbhari Ekadashi festivities, which span five days before the main festival on Friday. Amid heightened security due to the sensitive atmosphere in the district, the festival continues to be a time of joy and togetherness.

Holi, one of India’s most awaited festivals, is celebrated with vibrant colours, sweets, and music. People stock up on gulal, water guns, and festive treats like gujiyas weeks in advance to make the most of the occasion.

The herbal gulal produced by Sambhal’s SHGs has gained popularity across seven states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Punjab.

Known for its natural ingredients and mild fragrance, it has carved a niche in the market, following in the footsteps of Hathras, which is also renowned for its gulal production.

Made entirely from natural flowers and fruits, Sambhal’s herbal gulal is infused with fragrances sourced from Kannauj to ensure quality and skin safety.

The gulal is scented with floral aromas such as jasmine, mogra, rose, and lavender, along with fruity essences like mango, papaya, strawberry, and banana. Each variant is uniquely named based on its fragrance.

The production of herbal gulal begins months in advance. Using maize flour as the base, the gulal is mixed with natural colours and fragrances before being sun-dried.

This meticulous process results in a product that is not only safe for the skin but also visually and aromatically appealing, making it a sought-after choice for Holi celebrations.

–IANS

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