CM Stalin favours DMK contesting Erode East bypolls, likely to take seat from Cong

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, Dec 22 (IANS) With the Election Commission of India declaring the Erode East Assembly seat vacant following the demise of veteran Congress leader E.V.K.S Elangovan, political parties have commenced preparations for the by-election.

Sources in the DMK revealed that the party president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who was in Erode district on two days — December 19 and December 20 — met senior party functionaries in the district to gather their views on the candidate for the Erode East bypolls.

The late EVKS Elangovan had become the MLA of Erode East after his son and former MLA, Thirumagan Everaa, passed away at the age of 46 due to a massive heart attack.

According to DMK insiders, Erode South district secretary and Tamil Nadu Minister S. Muthusamy informed CM Stalin that after EVKS Elangovan and his family, there is no prominent Congress leader in Erode to contest the seat.

Muthusamy also conveyed to CM Stalin that party cadres are keen on DMK taking over the seat. During his visit to Erode on December 19, Chief Minister Stalin directed party functionaries to strengthen DMK in constituencies perceived as weak in the district to secure victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

On December 19, CM Stalin chaired a meeting with senior DMK members, inviting key functionaries from across the district. Entry to the meeting hall was restricted to individuals carrying invitation letters sent from the DMK headquarters.

During the meeting, CM Stalin reviewed the DMK’s performance in Erode during the 2021 Assembly election and urged party leaders to work relentlessly to capture constituencies lost to AIADMK.

Specific constituencies discussed included Perundurai, which DMK failed to win, and Anthiyur, which the party won by a narrow margin of 1,275 votes.

The defeat of the DMK ally CPI in the Bhavanisagar constituency was also deliberated. Sources added that CM Stalin instructed functionaries to prioritise addressing people’s problems and strengthen the party’s presence in weak constituencies.

A special committee will be formed to study ways to secure victory in Erode’s vulnerable constituencies.

It is noteworthy that the DMK has set an ambitious goal of winning 200 of the 234 Assembly seats in the 2026 elections.

Currently, in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the DMK holds 133 seats, with allies Congress (18), VCK (4), CPI (2), and CPI(M) (2), bringing the total to 159 seats.

The DMK-led alliance achieved an impressive vote share of 45.38 per cent in the previous elections.

The DMK has already appointed full-time coordinators for each Assembly constituency, with senior leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister and party youth wing leader Udhayanidhi Stalin and organising secretary R.S. Bharathy, monitoring their activities.

–IANS

aal/dpb

Related Posts

Three Delhi residents shot dead near resort in Haryana’s Panchkula

Chandigarh, Dec 23 (IANS) Three people, including a woman, all reported to be residents of Delhi and aged between 20 and 25 years, were shot dead in Morni hills of Panchkula in Haryana, police said on Monday.

The three were attacked by three men outside a resort, said the officials, adding that it could be a case of rivalry.

The trio had left a resort after celebrating a birthday when miscreants fired multiple shots at their SUV on early Sunday.

One of the deceased is Vicky, who along with his nephew and a woman, was there for the birthday celebrations.

The police are investigating an old rivalry behind the crime. The victims, all reported to be residents of Delhi, were celebrating a birthday at the restaurant when the shooting took place.

According to the police, three men arrived at the scene in an Etios car, opened fire indiscriminately on the victims and fled from the crime scene.

The police control room received information about the crime around 3.30 a.m.

The victims were brought to the Civil Hospital of Sector 6 in Panchkula, near the state capital Chandigarh, where they were declared dead.

The police have started an investigation.

Information about the attackers was being sourced. The police were scanning CCTV footage and gathering other clues and evidence, the officials added.

Further details are awaited.

In November, two explosions occurred outside two clubs in Panchkula-adjacent Chandigarh. The blast took place in Sector 26 outside the Seville Bar and Lounge — owned by singer and rapper Badshah, and De Orra Club. It was reported that gangsters Goldie Brar and Rohit Godara of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had taken responsibility for the blasts. Two people, allegedly involved in the crude bomb blast were later arrested following an encounter in Haryana’s Hisar district. Both the accused were injured after being shot in the leg. The accused were identified as Vinay (20) and Ajit Sehrawat (21), both of whom are residents of Hisar.

–IANS

vg/dpb

‘Stubborn, anti-farmer’, Kharge attacks Centre while paying tribute to Chaudhary Charan Singh

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday accused the Centre of being stubborn and anti-farmer, hoping that the government would not do injustice to the farmers and implement its promises.

He said this while paying tribute to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh, whose birth anniversary is marked as the Farmers’ Day.

In a post on X, Kharge wrote, “Farmer is India, the pride of the country. Warm wishes to all farmer sisters and brothers, and farm labourers on Farmer’s Day. Respectful tributes to former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh ji on his birth anniversary, who fought for the farmers of the country.”

Attacking the Modi-led Centre, the Congress chief accused the government of being stubborn and anti-farmer. “It is hoped that the Modi government will not do further injustice to our farmers through its stubbornness and anti-farmer policies and will implement its old promises,” he further wrote.

Even as Kharge attacked the government on the farmers’ issues, the Centre on Sunday said it has been recognising the vital role of farmers and has introduced a suite of initiatives designed to support their socio-economic upliftment and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.

“These programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), are aimed at providing financial security, risk mitigation, and long-term social security for farmers,” said a government statement.

It said that by addressing both immediate challenges and long-term needs, these schemes underscore the government’s commitment to nurturing the backbone of the nation and fostering a sustainable agricultural future.

Earlier in the day, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and others paid rich tributes to the former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar paid tribute to Chaudhary Charan Singh at Kisan Ghat, Delhi. Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary — RLD chief and grandson of Chaudhary Charan Singh — was also present with the Vice President.

After paying tributes, the Vice President said, “On the occasion of Kisan Diwas, I salute all the farmers of India. In 2001, the right decision was taken and Kisan Diwas was started in the name of such a great man who dedicated his life to the nation’s development along with the farmers and rural development. His thinking and philosophy are exemplary for all of us.”

–IANS

dpb/

Siddaramaiah’s concern for Wayanad sign of slavery, says BJP Leader C.T. Ravi

Bengaluru, Dec 11 (IANS) Criticising the offer of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Kerala government to build 100 houses in landslide ravaged Wayanad, the BJP on Wednesday chided his concern as a sign of slavery.

Priyanka Gandhi represents the Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency which was hit by major landslides this year in which over 200 people lost their lives as two villages were swept away.

BJP MLC and former National General Secretary, C.T. Ravi stated that the Karnataka government has given assurances of building houses for the victims of the landslide.

“The gesture is right in terms of humanity. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s concern in this regard does not seem to be out of concern for humanity. This is a clear sign of slavery. Wayanad was represented by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and presently it is represented by Priyanka Gandhi. The government in the state is not bothered about maternal deaths, suicide of farmers. The state government does not care about the farmer who ended life after fighting with an officer,” Ravi claimed.

“Mr. CM Siddaramaiah, you don’t care about the crisis in the state. Your Wayanad concern is a sign of slavery,” Ravi alleged.

“We will raise the issue in the state legislature. There has to be a probe by the Special Investigation Team over maternal deaths and deaths of newborn babies,” Ravi slammed.

“The Congress leaders are occupied answering allegations faced by CM Siddaramaiah. The government is focussed on protecting its interests and not the interest of the state,” Ravi claimed.

In February, the Congress-led Karnataka government had announced Rs 15 lakh relief for the family of a person who was killed in an elephant attack in Kerala.

The Siddaramaiah government had stated that the elephant had strayed into Kerala from Bandipur forest of Karnataka.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre had announced the compensation after meeting CM Siddaramaiah.

However, when the issue turned controversial, the family from Kerala had refused compensation from the Karnataka government.

Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar’s statement to clear night traffic restrictions in Bandipur reserve forest area during campaigning for Wayanad Lok Sabha elections also triggered controversy.

In his letter to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recently, CM Siddaramaiah stated, “Kindly recall that during my visit to Wayanad following the unfortunate landslide incident, I had announced my government’s commitment to donate 100 houses to support the affected families.

“This initiative was aimed at providing a secure and stable environment for those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and dear ones. The announcement was duly communicated to the Chief Secretary of Kerala for further coordination.

“It is concerning that no communication has been received from the Government of Kerala regarding the necessary guidelines or directions to implement this project, preventing us from moving forward with the commitment.

“To facilitate this initiative, I also wish to convey that my government is ready to purchase land required for constructing the houses, ensuring swift progress in providing relief to the affected families.”

“Looking forward to your response and collaboration on this matter,” the CM stated in his letter to his counterpart in Kerala.

–IANS

mka/rad