
Final alliance to be announced closer to polls, says Palaniswami
'We still have eight more months. Closer to the elections, we will announce the full list of alliance partners,' said Mr.Palaniswami told the media in Tiruchi.
He welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to withdraw its alleged controversial circular to PACS mandating CIBIL score checks for farm loans, a move he said came only after he submitted a petition to the Prime Minister. 'Whether in power or not, we will continue to speak for the people,' he said.
When asked about his remarks on the 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars in the earlier campaigns in the northern districts, Mr.Palaniswami said, 'That issue is over. There is no need to create unnecessary confusion among the public. Let us not blow this out of proportion. The Union government has already taken a clear stand on the matter across India.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
In first big rally, Delhi Congress to protest slum demolitions today; Rahul Gandhi may drop in
In its first major demonstration since the BJP came to power in the Capital earlier this year, the Delhi unit of Congress is set to hold a protest against the ruling party on Monday over the recent demolition in slum clusters in the city, among other issues. Sources suggested Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, may make an appearance at the protest. Gandhi, in Delhi for the Parliament's Monsoon session, has in the past dropped in unannounced at local party protests in the city. 'His appearance tomorrow would not be out of character… there is a huge possibility he might show up,' a Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office (DPCC) functionary said. The demonstration is set to begin at the Sushruta Trauma Centre near Chandgi Ram Akhara and proceed to the Delhi Assembly, where the Monsoon session begins Monday. Since the BJP came to power in the Capital, the Congress's Delhi unit has claimed that over 3,000 jhuggi-jhopri dwellings have been razed, displacing nearly 15,000 families. Last month, Gandhi visited the Ashok Vihar slum cluster in Jailorwala Bagh, where hundreds of homes were demolished in June as part of an ongoing anti-encroachment drive. Videos shared by the Congress on social media showed Gandhi walking through the debris, speaking to residents who said they were left homeless. In addition to demolitions, Congress leaders claimed the protest will highlight 'broader grievances' — law and order, drug proliferation, and unfulfilled BJP poll promises like the monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 for women and its promise to end the perennial monsoon water-logging woes in the city. This protest comes at a significant moment for the Delhi Congress — after nearly a decade of marginalisation following the fall of the Sheila Dikshit-led government, the party has been attempting to regain the ground it lost to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Slum dwellers, who once were the backbone of the Congress's vote bank, had shifted to AAP after the Anna Andolan. On Sunday, ahead of its protest, the party released a video compilation on its social media platforms, juxtaposing two statements made by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The first, from May, features Gupta assuring the media that slums in Delhi would not be demolished. The second clip is from her response to Gandhi's recent visit to the Ashok Vihar demolition site, where she remarked that the Chief Minister 'cannot protect illegal colonies'. Posting the video, the Delhi Congress captioned it: 'How can we trust her promises now?'. Several Congress MPs also raised the issue of demolitions in Delhi in Parliament.

The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
BJP committed to uplift of denotified tribes, says Andhra party president Madhav
Ahead of the Denotified Tribes Liberation Day to be observed on August 31, the BJP State unit organised a roundtable with key leaders of the nomadic and denotified tribes in Vijayawada. Speaking on the occasion, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav emphasised the Central government's efforts to recognise and uplift these marginalised communities. He said, 'It is the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre that has made budgetary allocation for the denotified tribes. These communities, once unfairly labeled as criminals by the British in 1957, have long suffered social discrimination and neglect.' In 1952, India had officially liberated these tribes from such stigmatisation. Later, under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's leadership, a commission had been constituted to study and recognise their societal contributions. 'The very first line of the commission's report says that if Indian culture is as rich as it is, it is due to the role of these nomadic communities,' Mr. Madhav observed. Since 2014, the Narendra Modi-led government had initiated steps to restore the identity and dignity of the denotified tribes, he said. 'These tribes also reside in Andhra Pradesh, and the BJP has undertaken studies to understand their challenges, including the lack of voting rights,' he added. 'We believe their struggles stem from systemic exclusion, including disenfranchisement. That's why we're formulating an action plan to safeguard their existence and promote their welfare,' Mr. Madhav added. 'Vajrotsavams' As part of the 75th Liberation Anniversary of these tribes, the BJP plans to conduct 'Vajrotsavams' (diamond jubilee celebrations) across all districts. A month-long series of programmes titled, 'Spurthi', will be organised, culminating in a grand celebration on August 30. MLA Dr. Parthasarathi, former IAS officer Dasari Srinivas Rao, BJP State general secretary B. Shivannarayana, and OBC Morcha State president Rongala Gopi Srinivas, among others, attended.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tharoor in Pune downplays Trump's ‘dead economy' dig, veers from party line
1 2 Pune: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor dismissed US President Donald Trump 's claim that the Indian economy is "dead" as a childish insult — marking a public divergence from party colleague Rahul Gandhi, who had used the same remark last week to target PM Narendra Modi . Speaking at a book signing in Pune on Sunday, Tharoor likened Trump's words to a schoolyard slur. "It was like a schoolboy saying in a playground that his mother is ugly. It's meant to be an insult but not meant to be taken literally," he said. Tharoor's remarks, calibrated and cautious, contrast sharply with the combative tone adopted by much of the Congress top brass. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Lok Sabha opposition leader Gandhi amplified Trump's jab three days ago, accusing Modi of having "killed" the economy. While Gandhi framed Trump's words as validation, Tharoor warned against over-reading the rhetoric. "Trump is the US president. What he does can affect global policies, and those can affect us. So take him seriously, but not literally," Tharoor said. The four-time Thiruvananthapuram MP also pointed to the fallout from Trump's tariff policies in recent months. "India too has taken a hit. But we will recover, because our trade and strategic ties with America matter. There's a lot to repair and rebuild," he said. The divergence was not limited to policy tone. Asked if he would be the Congress's nominee for vice president, Tharoor was blunt. "I have absolutely no reason to expect that," he said, citing the BJP's strength in both houses and its ability to install its candidate. With speculation about his future swirling, Tharoor said: "My only desire is to make a difference, not chase a title or salary. If I'm asked to serve the country in a way I believe is meaningful, I will always be available." Tharoor recalled agreeing "immediately" when approached to represent India abroad after Op Sindoor. "They said the country needed me, and I didn't hesitate. While I still have the energy and capacity, I will always step up," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !