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Asian Voice | 9th September 2017
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Won't resort to backdoor means to form govt: Stalin Stalin said his party would reach out to people, get their support and come to power SALEM: The DMK will not adopt any “backdoor” means to form the government, even as the bickering in AIADMK factions continue. Speaking at an event in Salem, Tamil Nadu, DMK working president and leader of opposition in the assembly, MK Stalin said those who had spoken before him had desired that 89 should become 117, i.e., the DMK should come to power. While the DMK had 89 MLAs in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, its allies Congress and IUML add up another nine, taking the
MK Stalin
opposition strength to 98. The simple majority in the present House, where the RK Nagar seat fell vacant last year following the death of then Chief Minister J
EPS seeks compromise, Dhinakaran not interested CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) adopted a conciliatory tone, appealing to his partymen to unite and strengthen Tamil Nadu ruling party AIADMK. In a pledge to keep the party united, Palaniswami said, “We will stay united to protect the party. We are ready to make any sacrifice for that. We will never allow the party to be divided by people trying to promote their own interests. We take this vow in the land of Perarignar Anna.” The plea came as 21 MLAs in the party pledged allegiance to TTV Dhinakaran. The former general secretary of the party and VK Sasikala's nephew, talking to reporters said, “Traitors will be defeated”. He also reminded Palaniswami and deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) that they got their positions because of his aunt- currently in a prison in Bengaluru. The
Dhinakaran camp now plans to seek the intervention of the President against the CM in the wake of reports that the governor expressed inability to intervene in the current turmoil in the party. He said the EPS-OPS camp had been given enough time. “After assuming charge, he (EPS) wants to remove Sasikala, who chose him for the post of chief minister, and declare that my appointment (as deputy general secretary) is invalid. Our question is how can a person, who acts in his own interests and seeks power, be a chief minister,” Dhinakaran said. Palaniswami who spoke in the presence of Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai, and other cabinet colleagues, said “no power can oppress the party”. OPS said, “There was no room for family rule in Amma's government, which is a strong fort, safeguarding the interests of the poor.”
Lookout notices issued against Honeypreet Singh NEW DELHI: Haryana police have issued a “lookout notice” for Honeypreet Singh, who is charged with sedition, or instigating violence, and conspiracy in attempting to free Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh after his rape conviction. Airports, buse stations, and railway stations across the country are on alert. Haryana Deputy Commissioner of Police Manbir Singh said Gurmeet's adopted daughter, Honeypreet conspired to free him from the security detail that was given custody of the self-styled godman. Aditya Insan, mouthpiece of Dera Sacha Sauda, who is on the run is also charged with inciting violence after the verdict. A similar 'lookout notice” has been issued for him. He is the main accused in the sedition case registered for inciting Ram Rahim followers to extreme violence following the conviction verdict. Police sources said both of them knew what the cult leader's followers would do if
Honeypreet Singh
he were pronounced guilty. As many as 38 people died and millions worth of public property was destroyed last week. Haryana government is, meanwhile, looking into how Honeypreet was allowed to board the chopper that took Gurmeet out of the Panchkula court complex following the end of the case. Photographs taken in the court complex showed her sitting beside him in the chopper. Speculation over who will succeed the cult chief who has been jailed for 20 years, is the focus in the organisation's Sirsa headquarters.
Jayalalithaa, is 117. “Not just 117, our desire is that it (DMK's strength) should become 200. We are patiently waiting for that. The DMK will never come to power through backdoor means. That is the path laid down to us by Kalaignar (Party president M Karunanidhi),” he said. Stalin said his party would reach out to people, get their support and come to power “but are not desperate to come to power through backdoor means”. He asked what Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao would do
“if the ball of the DMK which has 89 MLAs” went to his court. “What action will you take if the ball comes to you. It is a completely different thing that whether DMK will take the ball to him or not. The suspense will be lost if (DMK's strategy) is revealed right away,” Stalin said. “Therefore, the DMK will certainly take a decision after due legal consultation. That decision will not be for our selfish motives but in the interest of the welfare of people of Tamil Nadu. There is no change in that,” he said.
Protests across TN after student commits suicide CHENNAI: Protests broke out across Tamil Nadu, a day after a teenaged Dalit student committed suicide allegedly for not getting an admission into a medical college. S Anitha, who had fought against the common entrance exam for medical colleges in the Supreme Court, had scored 1,176 marks out of 1,200 in her board exams in Tamil Nadu, but failed to perform well in the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET). Daughter of a daily wage labourer, she was found hanging in her home in Ariyalur district, 300 km from capital Chennai. Over 1,500 workers from different opposition groups shouted slogans and protested at five different places in Chennai. They targeted the AIADMK in the state and the BJP in the Centre for their failure in exempting NEET for medical admission. As many as 300 workers of CPM were detained by the police for blocking the famous Anna Salai road in Chennai. The Supreme Court had ordered all medical colleges across the country to use NEET to decide admissions. With
S Anitha
over 40 medical colleges, Tamil Nadu said its students are at a disadvantage while taking the test alleging it seemed more apt for students who study in CBSE schools, and punishes poor and rural students who cannot afford private tuition classes needed to score high. While the SC exempted the state from NEET last year, it refused a request to continue the exemption this year. The Ventre said that if the Tamil Nadu government was to issue an ordinance or executive order that would effectively circumvent NEET, it would back the move. However, last week it changed its stance and ordered Tamil Nadu to use NEET as its sole criterion for admissions. Opposition parties have joined in the fight.
Jats serve ultimatum to Haryana govt JHAJJAR (HARYANA): The All-India Jat Aarakshan served a two-month ultimatum on the state government to complete all legal formalities regarding reservation for Jats in government jobs and educational institutions. AIJASS threatened to organise a march to Delhi if the government failed to do so within the given time. A 'Bhaichara Rally' was organised by the AIJASS at Rashalwala Chowk, which was attended by a large number of Jats from various districts of Haryana. Also present were leaders from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi. AIJASS chief Yashpal Malik said, “The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disappointed us, but we will continue our struggle for reservation. The state government has been
given two months to complete all legal formalities in this regard. After two months, Jats in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh will be free from their farm work and will not hesitate to march to Delhi.” He urged Jats to remain united on the issue, saying they were close to success after a long struggle. Malik said unity was needed to maintain pressure on the BJP government for extending OBC status to Jats. He said a delegation from the group had recently called on BJP national president Amit Shah, who assured them the reservation. Yashpal also demanded passage of the National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Bill in the winter session of Parliament.
Sri Lanka releases 76 Tamil Nadu fishermen
RAMESWARAM (TAMIL NADU): Seventysix fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in territorial waters, have been ordered to be released by a Lankan court. Among those ordered to be released, 12 are from Rameswaram, six from Mandapam, 46 from Pudukottai, and eight from Nagapattinam. Rameswaram Fishermen's Association President said the fishermen are expected to reach Karaikal in a day or two. Their release coincided with Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's visit to Colombo.
TN teen's suicide linked to Blue Whale
MADURAI: A 19 year old college student who was found hanging in his room, is reportedly Tamil Nadu's first death linked to the Blue Whale challenge. Police believe he was part of a Whatsapp group of 75 friends who were playing the suicide game. A note was found in his room, that read, “Blue Whale- this is not a game but danger. Once you enter, you can never exit.” Authorities also found a telling image of a whale carved into Vignesh's left arm and the words “Blue Whale” written below it. Vignesh was depressed and had been spending a lot of time alone in the last 45-50 days.
Depressed woman flings daughter from third floor, twice
BENGALURU: A depressed mother threw her seven-year-old daughter twice from a buildingfor having a speech impairment. Accused Sathi Sarkar threw her daughter Ishika from her rented flat in JP Nagar. Eyewitnesses said they initially thought the girl had lost her balance and had an accidental fall. However, as they looked on, the mother took her child upstairs to throw her down again. As Sathi tried to flee the scene, witnesses tied her to an electric pole and beat her up before calling the police who arrested her.
Godman Rampal gets relief
CHANDIGARH: Haryana's self-styled godman Rampal has been acquitted in two criminal cases by a court. The court held him not guilty of wrongful confinement, unlawful assembly, and disobedience to an order by a public servant. However, he will continue to stay in prison as he is facing other cases, including of murder conspiracy, sedition and rioting. Rampal and his close aides had resisted a police operation to arrest him on the orders of the high court while holed up in Hisar in November 2014.
10 hurt in clash near Batala
BATALA (PUNJAB): Ten people were injured as followers of the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan and members of the Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee clashed in Ghuman town last week. Senior police officers camped in the town throughout the day. Divya Jyoti sect followers were conducting an anti-drug camp when Guru Granth Sahib committee members attacked them. Sect member Jagbir Singh claimed that when he and other followers went to the Ghuman police station to lodge a complaint, they were attacked again with swords and other weapons.
SGPC relents, dhadis put off indefinite fast
AMRITSAR: Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Shiromani Dhadi Sabha put off its indefinite fast after the SGPC accepted its demand for enhancing the number of performance hours. Sri Guru Hargobind Sabha president Baldev Singh said, “On the SGPC panel's assurance, we postponed our fast. However, we have sought a written agreement. If we don't get it soon, we will resume our protest.” The group has been in loggerheads with rival faction, the Miri Piri Shiromani Dhadi Sabha over the allotment of hours for the traditional “diwan” at the Akal Takht.