Periya case convict K Manikandan resigns as Kanhangad block panchayat president
Manikandan submitted his resignation letter to the Block panchayat secretary, stating personal and political reasons. However, in a detailed Facebook post later, he described the move as an ethical decision in line with Communist principles of public service.
His resignation comes as the Election Commission is set to announce its decision on a complaint filed by Congress leader Baburaj, seeking his disqualification following the Ernakulam CBI court's conviction.
Manikandan had been sentenced to five years in prison but the High Court granted him bail and stayed the sentence pending appeal.
Political observers view the resignation as a preemptive move to avoid disqualification which could have political ramifications in the run-up to local body election. UDF sources said the ruling LDF wanted to avoid providing the opposition with ammunition during the polls.
Party sources confirmed that permission had already been given for his resignation, but it was delayed until after the Nilambur by-election. With only a few months remaining in the current term, no by-election will be held for his ward.
In his Facebook note, Manikandan likened public service to navigating stormy seas and described his resignation as part of a 'trasnition' in public life. He thanked supporters and asserted that his departure was in keeping with the values of the party and the responsibilities entrusted to him.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Marathi medium helped my conceptual understanding in school: CJI Gavai
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai turned emotional on recalling the moment he fulfilled his father's dream by becoming a judge and also highlighted on Sunday the benefits of studying in his Marathi mother tongue, claiming that it helped him in better conceptual understanding. The CJI virtually held back his tears as he opened his heart at a lawyers' event in Maharashtra, saying, 'I am happy my father's dream to see me become a judge has come true.' The CJI, the first Buddhist to occupy the top post, fondly remembered his father and his early days in the legal profession at the 161st-anniversary celebrations of the Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI), an organisation he joined in 1983. On Sunday, the CJI visited Chikitsak Samuh Shirodkar School in Girgaon, reminiscing about his childhood memories. Having studied from primary to secondary levels at this very institution, he expressed deep gratitude to the teachers who shaped his early life. Speaking at the school, Chief Justice Gavai said, 'Whatever height I have reached today, my teachers and this school have played a significant role in it. The education and values I received here gave direction to my life.' 'My journey in public speaking began on this very stage. Through speech competitions and cultural programmes, I gained confidence. It is because of those opportunities that I am what I am today,' he recalled. The CJI added, 'I studied in a Marathi-medium school. Studying in one's mother tongue helps in better conceptual understanding, and also instils strong values that stay with you for life.' Justice Gavai toured the classrooms, library, and art section of the school, interacting warmly with his old classmates and reliving fond memories. The heartfelt tribute given by the students was a deeply emotional and proud moment for him. His visit was a matter of great honour and inspiration for the school. Present on the occasion were Maharashtra's Skill Development Minister and Mumbai City Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Bombay High Court Justice Madhav Jamadar, Chikitsak Samuh President Kishore Rangnekar, Secretary Dr Gurunath Pandit, Principal Sanchita Gawde, and other dignitaries. Justice Gavai comes from a distinguished background. His father, Ramakrishna Suryabhan Gavai, was a prominent Ambedkarite leader and founder of the Republican Party of India (RPI). Fondly known as Dadasaheb, the senior Gavai was also a member of the Lok Sabha from Amravati and served as the Governor of Bihar, Sikkim, and Kerala between 2006 and 2011 during the tenure of the Congress-led UPA government. He passed away in 2015, four years before his son's elevation to the Supreme Court. Justice Gavai was elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court on May 24, 2019. In the six years before his elevation, he was a part of around 700 Benches dealing with matters pertaining to a variety of subjects, including constitutional and administrative law, civil law, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration law, electricity law, education matters and environmental law. He has authored around 300 judgments, including that of the Constitution Bench on various issues, upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights, human rights and legal rights of citizens. Appointed as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court in November 2003, Justice Gavai became a permanent Judge in November 2005.
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Thousands attend funeral of businessman Khemka; dy CM, Cong netas meet kin
1 2 Patna: Thousands of people, including businessmen from all over the state, participated in the funeral procession of businessman Gopal Khemka from his residence in Gandhi Maidan area to Gulbi Ghat in Patna, where he was cremated on Sunday. His younger son Gaurav Khemka, a doctor at IGIMS, lit the funeral pyre. The family of Khemka, who was shot dead late on Friday night, was waiting for his daughter to come to Patna for the cremation. His daughter Garima Khemka, who had flown down from Scotland, was inconsolable, and was seen breaking into tears, clinging to her father's body. Meanwhile, deputy CM Samrat Chowdhary visited Khemka's residence and met with the family. He said that the murder is a challenge for the govt and assured the family that the culprits will not be spared. Former state Congress president Akhilesh Singh also visited the family and demanded a special session of the assembly to discuss the rising crime in the state. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also posted on social media regarding the murder of the businessman, stating, "BJP-Nitish have turned Bihar into a crime capital". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Bihar Industries Association expressed condolences and concern over the murder of businessman Khemka. President K P S Keshri said that Khemka was a good human being and it is unlikely that he had any dispute or conflict with anyone. "The murder likely had an economic motive. Such an incident will directly impact the state's business and industrial environment," he said. Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Subhash Kumar Patwari remarked that a murder in a densely populated area like Gandhi Maidan is an open challenge to the police administration. "The chamber demands action against anti-social elements disrupting the state's environment and the arrest of those involved in the murder," he said.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Siddaramaiah has already been given a message to quit State politics, says Joshi
I think the Congress appointed Siddaramaiah to its national OBC cell to make him to quit the Chief Minister's post, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said in Hubballi on Sunday. 'It is not clear why the Chief Minister has been appointed to the national-level team. I think it is a message asking him to quit State-level politics and go to Delhi. However, I do not think he will succeed in his new role. A leader who is unable to handle political affairs at the State-level will not be able to achieve anything significant at the national level,' Mr. Joshi told reporters. 'On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar has been going around saying that he will be the next Chief Minister. But then, he seems to have changed his mind recently. He is making philosophical statements of renouncing political power,' Mr. Joshi said. Mr. Joshi criticised Mr. Siddaramaiah's statement about a connection between COVID-19 vaccine and heart attacks in young people, as unscientific. 'It is an irresponsible statement. It is an insult to the country. Over 150 nations are using COVID-19 vaccines. The whole world has praised the vaccine-makers of India. People in responsible positions should not make such statement,' Mr. Joshi said. 'The Chief Minister has taken the vaccine. Was it Indian or foreign? Is he criticising the vaccine just because it was promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Mr. Siddaramaiah should tender a public apology for his anti-vaccine statement,' Mr. Joshi said. 'The Congress leaders have made such irresponsible and insulting statement in the past too. They insulted the country during the war with Pakistan,' he said. He said that Congress legislators, including Basavaraj Rayaraddi, are saying that there is no money for development as all the funds are spent on guarantees. 'Yesterday, Shiggaon MLA Nasir Khan Pathan also made a similar statement during a public programme. I was present there. It is unfortunate that the Congress government is not doing any development work,' Mr. Joshi said.
