Udhayanidhi Stalin chosen as DMK legislature party leader before Assembly session

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chennai, May 10 (IANS) The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday elected party youth wing secretary and MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin as the leader of its legislature party, a day ahead of the swearing-in of newly elected MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

The announcement came amid a dramatic political realignment in the State following the recently concluded Assembly elections, in which the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party with 108 seats but fell short of the majority mark required to form the government.

With no party securing a clear mandate, the TVK sought support from allies of the DMK-led alliance.

In a major political development, the Congress became the first party to break away from the DMK alliance and extend support to the TVK, paving the way for the formation of a new government under TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay.

The CPI, CPI-M, VCK and IUML, which were earlier part of the DMK-led alliance, later announced outside support to the Vijay-led dispensation.

Their backing enabled the TVK to comfortably cross the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly.

Following the alliance arithmetic, Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning at a grand ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his council of ministers.

Meanwhile, the DMK convened a crucial meeting of its newly elected MLAs on May 7 at the Kalaignar Arangam in Anna Arivalayam under the leadership of party president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

During the meeting, the party passed four resolutions, including one strongly criticising the Congress for deserting the alliance and another authorising Stalin to take all future political decisions on behalf of the party.

In the backdrop of the new government assuming office and the Assembly scheduled to convene on Monday for the oath-taking ceremony of MLAs, the DMK formally announced its legislature party office-bearers.

According to the party statement, Udhayanidhi Stalin was elected as the DMK Legislature Party Leader, senior leader K.N. Nehru was chosen as the Deputy Leader, and E.V. Velu was appointed as the party whip in the Assembly.

–IANS

aal/pgh

Related Posts

Kolkata Police summon doctors leading protest marches over RG Kar rape and murder incident

Kolkata, Aug 26 (IANS) The Kolkata Police, on Tuesday, summoned two doctors, who were at the forefront of the protests following the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year.

The summons have been sent to doctors Manas Gumta and Subarna Goswami in connection with one case registered last year at the Bowbazar police station.

While Gumta has been asked to appear before a police officer of the Bowbazar police station on September 3, Goswami has been asked to appear on September 2.

Both the doctors were active in leading the protests against the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government last year.

Manas Gumta, the former General Secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors in West Bengal, said the decision reflects the vindictiveness of the state administration.

“I received a notice regarding the summon from the police this morning. I have been asked to visit the concerned police station on September 3. The case was registered against me for taking part in a protest march following the death of the woman trainee doctor in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. It is unfortunate that cases are being registered against doctors for taking part in rallies. The state government is trying to intimidate us by sending these summons,” Gumta added.

The case was registered on August 10 last year after Gumta and Goswami took part in a protest march from the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital to Dorina Crossing in Kolkata.

It was also mentioned in the summon that the doctors will liable for legal action if he/she fails to appear before the police officers.

On August 9 last year, the body of a post-graduate trainee was recovered from the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The incident had sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, resulting in widespread sustained protests by doctors, common man and women.

Demanding a fair investigation and justice, members of various organisations, including Medical Service Centre, Service Doctors affiliated to the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO), West Bengal Doctors’ Forum and Association of Health Service Doctors, held multiple protest movements.

Later, West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors also joined the movement.

–IANS

sch/khz

Complaint filed against singer Arijit Singh in Bengal’s Santiniketan

Kolkata, Aug 14 (IANS) A complaint has been filed against popular playback singer Arijit Singh and his security guard at the Santiniketan police station in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

The complaint was filed by a person named Kamalakanta Laha on Thursday, alleging that Singh’s security guard harassed him and hauled him away after he protested against a road blockade due to a video shoot.

A resident of Subhaspalli in Santiniketan, which is known for Visva-Bharati University, Laha further alleged he also lost his gold ring in the scuffle with Singh’s security guard.

“I was going to my work in my motorbike. However, the road was blocked due to a video shoot by Arijit Singh. I was in a hurry. Singh’s bodyguards told me to wait for five minutes. I stood there. But, they were taking a lot of time. I asked them to let me through as I was getting late. Then they said I have to wait for 30 minutes. I was under pressure from work and decided to proceed through the road blockade. At that time Singh’s security guards came and carried me on their shoulders and put in a police car,” he said.

After such harassment, Laha came went to the Santiniketan police station and lodged a written complaint against Arijit Singh and his security guard.

The complainant further alleged, “They harassed me. My ring was lost in the melee. I am an artist, how can another artist treat me like this? I have filed a complaint with the Santiniketan police station.”

Birbhum District Superintendent of Police Amandeep said, “A complaint has been received. The matter is being investigated from all angles.”

For past few days, Arijit Singh is in Santiniketan for a music video shoot. The Padma Shri-winning artist has been busy shooting at multiple locations throughout the university town of Santiniketan. Recently, he had shot a music video with international pop icon Ed Sheeran in his hometown in Murshidabad district during Sheeran’s India tour.

Few days back, Sheeran released a cross-cultural remix of his summer hit “Sapphire” featuring Arijit Singh. The new version blends English, Hindi and Punjabi-language vocals, with both artists switching between languages throughout the track.

–IANS

sch/pgh

Sonia, Rahul Gandhi call on Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam

New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi called on Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the visiting leader called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, discussing the ties between both nations which remain unique and rooted in shared history, language, culture, and values.

The meeting concluded Prime Minister Ramgoolam’s State Visit to India from September 9 to 16, during which he visited Mumbai, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Tirupati.

Welcoming Prime Minister Ramgoolam and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President said that Mauritius occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’ and in New Delhi’s commitment to the Global South.

The President was happy to note that the partnership and cooperation between India and Mauritius has been growing steadily in every field. She stated that this growth is reflected in the recent elevation of the relationship to an ‘Enhanced Strategic Partnership’.

“The President was happy to note that India is supporting the developmental priorities of the Government of Mauritius and expressed confidence that the new Special Economic Package will be able to meet the needs of the government and people of Mauritius. She said that the projects, including hospitals, roads, port development, defence procurement and joint surveillance, will enhance infrastructure and will have a positive impact on the lives of people in the coming years. She added that bilateral cooperation is now also expanding in new areas, including digital technologies and the space sector,” read a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat after the meeting.

Both leaders agreed that the relations between the two countries are unique, rooted in our shared history, language, culture, and values. The President expressed confidence that with the vast leadership experience of Prime Minister Ramgoolam, India-Mauritius long-standing bilateral ties will further strengthen in the times to come.

Navinchandra Ramgoolam also met Vice President C P Radhakrishnan at the Vice-President’s Enclave with discussions focusing on strengthening trade, economic, and people-to-people ties between two nations.

Earlier in the day, the Mauritius PM paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in New Delhi.

Ramgoolam, who reached New Delhi Monday night, visited Rajghat and paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi. He also paid tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Sadaiv Atal.

Before arriving in the capital, he offered prayers at Tirumala Temple in Tirupati along with his wife.

On September 12, Ramgoolam, accompanied by his wife Veena Ramgoolam and a 30-member delegation, offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple. He was the second Head of State after the Prime Minister of Bhutan, to visit and worship Ram Lalla at the grand temple.

The Mauritius PM and his wife performed aarti and prayed before Ram Lalla, spending nearly half an hour in devotion. They also observed the ongoing temple construction work.

Ramgoolam also offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, last week. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel accompanied him during his visit to the temple.

While sharing the pictures on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote, “PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam of Mauritius, offered prayers at the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi. A visit reflecting the deep cultural and civilizational bonds that unite India and Mauritius.”

On September 11, Ramgoolam also witnessed Ganga Aarti on Varanasi ghats. During his eight-day visit to India, he also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 11 with the two leaders reviewing all aspects of their bilateral cooperation.

–IANS

akl/as