Karunanidhi: Ideologue, patriarch and towering figure in Dravidian politics

Few politicians could claim to leave behind a political legacy as brilliant as M Karunanidhi, and that is even more impressive if you consider his origins.

 

Karunanidhi Death : If there was anyone who excelled in the art of the possible, it was Muthuvel Karunanidhi, (Mu Ka in Tamil), the patriarch of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Days before he passed away on Tuesday (August 7, 2018), the DMK on July 27 observed the 50th anniversary of his president-ship of the party.

Few politicians can claim to leave behind such a brilliant political legacy. This is even more impressive if you consider his origins. Born in 1924 in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district to parents who belonged to the...continue reading

---

People throng Rajaji Hall in Chennai to pay last respects to Karunanidhi

People queued up in large numbers early on Wednesday morning at Rajaji Hall in Chennai to pay their last respects to DMK president M Karunanidhi who died on Tuesday after prolonged illness.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, senior state ministers, AMMK leader and RK Nagar MLA TTV Dhinakaran, superstar Rajinikanth and his family, and actor Sivakarthikeyan among others paid homage to Karunanidhi.
Speaking to reporters, Palaniswami said Karunanidhi's demise was a "big loss to Tamil Nadu"...continue reading

---

Madras High Court allows Karunanidhi burial on the Marina Beach

The Madras High Court on Wednesday allowed burial of DMK President M Karunanidhi on the Marina Beach. The five-time Chief Minister and President of DMK will be laid to rest behind Anna Samadhi.

DMK Working President M K Stalin and Kanimozhi broke down after being told that HC has allowed the burial on the beach.
The Madras High Court's Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G. Ramesh along with Justice SS Sundar gave the order on a petition filed by DMK, which sought place at Marina to bury Karunanithi’s body...continue reading

---

News Source : BS

Kamal Haasan political party Makkal Needhi Maiam launched

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal declared that Kamal Haasan’s newly launched political party would break the record of AAP in winning the majority of seats in Tamil Nadu.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday made his plunge into politics formal, with the launch of his political party ‘Makkal Needhi Maiam‘ (People Justice Centre), which, Haasan claims, will seek to provide governance free of corruption, stop playing games on the basis of religion and castes, and adopt a centrist approach without swaying Left or Right too much. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who endorsed Haasan’s party, was present at the floating of the new party in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Haasan also declared that he would not indulge in the politics of “freebies”, a practice the Dravidian parties have made famous in Tamil Nadu. “I am not your leader, I am your tool… this gathering is full of leaders,” Haasan said moments before announcing the party’s name.

In a 45-minute speech, Kamal Haasan said his party would be the army for Tamilisai Soundararajan‘ war for justice. “Kejriwal has started my campaign today itself. As a courtesy, I wanted to avoid saying certain things, but Kejriwal has launched my political campaign because he knows time is short for me.”

Replying to questions from his fans, Haasan said he would serve the people of Tamil Nadu till his last and would like to leave a party for the next three or four generations. “There will be no permanent chief ministers if my party is voted to power,” he said.
Haasan said his outfit was committed to politics free from “games of caste and religion” and would focus on good governance.

Referring to the cash-for-vote practice apparently prevalent in the state, Haasan said he would not do any of that. “You have undersold your vote. If you had voted for a good party, you would have got Rs 600,000 per year as income and not just Rs 6,000 per vote,” he said.

I-T raids on houses, offices of Sasikala and Dhinakaran across 160 places

Offices of Namadhu MGR, Jaya TV and Jazz Cinemas, residence of Sasikala’s husband Natarajan also raided

 

Income-tax officials have been raiding homes and companies belonging to the jailed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader VK Sasikala and her relatives, including TTV Dhinakaran.

Both Sasikala and Dhinakaran are rivals to the ruling AIADMK faction.

The raid started at 6 am this morning across 160 places in Tamil Nadu, besides Bengaluru, Puducherry and Delhi.

These places included former Jayalalithaa’s house at Poes Garden, Dhinakran’s house at Adyar and residence of other leaders, their relatives and party functionaries, in addition to the offices of Jaya TV as well as Jaya TV’s top official and management houses.

Repealing Article 370 to worsen situation

Among the companies being raided are the AIADMK mouthpiece Namadhu MGR, Jaya TV and Jazz Cinemas.

Dhinakaran’s faction alleged that this is a personal revenge against him. They also alleged that ruling faction is trying to take control of Jaya TV and Namadhe MGR.

The residence of Sasikala’s husband Natarajan in Thanjavur was also raided.

At the offices of Namadhu MGR and Jaya TV, very few staff members were present when the I-T officials raided. I-T officials also visited the residence of Dhinakaran in Adyar.

Click to Read → IT raids on Sasikala