BJP leader Laxman demands probe against alleged irregularities in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Speaking to the media, after the darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Thursday (July 3, 2025), he expressed his concerns against the alleged irregularities which he said had shattered the faith of devotees who generously contribute to the temple's hundi.
Pointing out various areas of concern, including the preparation of prasadams, purchase of machinery for the Ayurveda pharmacy, laddu quality and Annadanam, he categorically announced that he would be soon addressing a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging him to conduct a detailed inquiry and severely punish the guilty.
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
TVK declares Vijay as CM candidate for 2026 polls
Actor-politician Vijay on Friday announced himself as Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam's (TVK) chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. He also shut down any prospect of an alliance with either the AIADMK or the BJP. Mamallapuram: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay after TVK's second anniversary celebration function, in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 (PTI) Speaking at the party's executive council meeting, Vijay said, 'Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam will never enter into an alliance for selfish political gains.' 'There is no direct alliance or a hidden understanding with either the DMK or the BJP. If there is any alliance in the future, it will be one led by TVK. That combination will oppose both the DMK and BJP,' he added. 'The BJP divides people based on religion and encourages division among people for political gains,' Vijay said, adding,'Such dangerous strategies might work elsewhere but not in Tamil Nadu.' Referencing the recent controversy over video clips allegedly criticising stalwarts of the Dravidian movement being played at the Murugan conference, organised by the Hindu Munnani and backed by the BJP, on June 22, he added that any party that insulted leaders such as E V Ramasamy (Periyar) and DMK founder C N Annadurai could never win in the state. As stated at the meeting, TVK will hold a state conference in August, following which Vijay will go on a state-wide tour from September until December. Vijay also sought the ruling state government to look for a site alternative to Parandur to establish Chennai's second airport. 'We are not against development or the building of airports. We are only opposed to the location chosen by the state government for the airport,' he said. Vijay criticised chief minister M K Stalin for not visiting the people at Parandur and said, 'they are also our people… If you don't go and meet the people of Parandur, then I am willing to bring them to meet you at the Secretariat.' Among several resolutions passed at the meeting, one called upon the Centre to retrieve Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka, while another flayed the Union government for attempting to 'cover up' the findings at the contested archaeological site Keeladi, that established the existence of an urban civilisation in the Tamil heartland over 2,000 years ago. Another resolution passed at the meeting strongly criticized the Election Commission of India's (ECI) electoral revision process, stating,'Electoral revision in poll-bound states is an effort to reduce the votes of minorities and this should be stopped. ECI has decided to conduct intensive electoral revision in assembly election-bound states and it is highly suspicious that BJP is trying to reduce the minority voters and to increase their voters which is against democracy.' Another resolution condemned the Centre over the 'treatment' of farmers during their protest in New Delhi. It also urged the state government to give up the proposal to establish the SIPCOT industrial expansion project at Melma. Reacting to Vijay's speech, BJP state president Nainar Nagendran said that everyone should unite to defeat the DMK. 'Whether other parties want to join us or not to defeat the DMK is their decision,' Nagendran said. 'Every party should think about who loses and gains through such alliances,' he added. Lok Sabha MP from Thoothukudi and senior DMK leader K Kanimozhi also responded to the speech, saying, 'Congratulations to TVK for contesting independently. They're no challenge for the DMK.' At the time of going to print, no members of the AIADMK issued any response tp Vijay's comments.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's ‘Jai Gujarat' comment kicks up a row
Amid the political sparring between the ruling Mahayuti government and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the Hindi imposition charge, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's concluding 'Jai Gujarat' remarks during his speech in Pune on Friday raised several eyebrows. Shinde was speaking in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the inauguration ceremony of the 'Jairaj Sports and Convention Centre' built by the Shree Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj in the Kondhwa area. (HT) Shinde was speaking in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the inauguration ceremony of the 'Jairaj Sports and Convention Centre' built by the Shree Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj in the Kondhwa area. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut referred to the Shinde-led Shiv Sena as 'Shah Sena' and remarked that it showed the true face of the duplicate Shiv Sena of Union Minister Amit Shah. 'It is not surprising. Shinde's Sena was born in Gujarat with Shah's blessings,' Raut said, referring to Shinde and his supporter MLAs rushing to Surat in Gujarat after they split the party in 2022. He also posted two separate videos of Shinde on social media. 'Shah Sena! Amit Shah's-- duplicate Shiv Sena's true face was exposed today. In Pune, this man (Eknath Shinde) gave the slogan 'Jai Gujarat'! What to do? How can this man remain in the Maharashtra cabinet.' Clyde Crasto, NCP (SP) national spokesperson, said, 'They claim to represent Marathi manoos, but lust for power. When Eknath Shinde was made the chief minister, many projects meant for Maharashtra went to Gujarat, now it is proved that Shinde worked for the benefit of Gujarat.'' Atul Londhe, state Congress chief spokesperson, said, 'A person like Shinde does not have respect for anyone. He only salutes his master (Amit Shah).'' Gopal Tiwari, Congress spokesperson, said, 'As Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the sponsor for Shinde's Shiv Sena it is obvious that Shinde said 'Jai Gujarat.' The BJP leaders always disrespect Maharashtra leaders like Shivaji Maharaj and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, but the local BJP leaders do not speak about it.' Gajanan Thurkude, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, said, 'When the Shinde government was formed each MLA allegedly got ₹50 crore. By saying 'Jai Gujarat' they are repaying this money and showing more honesty to Amit Shah.' Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also attended the event, defended Shinde's remarks and said that creating a ruckus over the issue was unnecessary. He said that Shinde was speaking among the Gujarati community, and thus, there was no need to create a ruckus over it. 'If someone is questioning Shinde's love for Maharashtra because of this, then the person is thinking very narrowly,' he added. 'When the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was unveiled earlier, Sharad Pawar had said, 'Jai Maharashtra, Jai Karnataka'. Does this mean that Sharad Pawar loves Karnataka more than Maharashtra? Wherever we go, we say what the people there like. All leaders say the same. Now, when 'Jai Maharashtra, Jai Gujarat' was said among the Gujarati community, I think there is no need to create so much ruckus over it. We are all Indians,' said Fadnavis. After reaching Mumbai in the evening, Shinde held a press conference and clarified his stand. 'It was a function organised by the Gujarati community. I said so to appreciate them as they built a sports complex in Pune which can be used by all. The Gujarati community has been living here for decades and contributed to the progress of Maharashtra,' he said. Shinde also showed a video of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray speaking at a function in Gujarat where he too had remarked, 'Jai Gujarat'.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Factionalism, narrative clarity, cultural disconnect: Challenges aplenty for new West Bengal BJP chief
KOLKATA: With the 2026 West Bengal assembly polls on the horizon, the BJP has placed its bet on soft-spoken RSS loyalist and party veteran Samik Bhattacharya to steer its troubled state unit out of a prolonged phase of internal discord, grassroots disarray and 'cultural disconnect' with the Bengali electorate. But as Bhattacharya, a quintessential Bengali 'bhadralok' takes charge, a key challenge before him is whether the state BJP under his leadership pursues a moderate, inclusive Hindutva line or continues with the combative and hardline posture championed by leaders like Suvendu Adhikari. A Rajya Sabha MP and one of the BJP's most articulate Bengali faces, Bhattacharya was recently unanimously elected president of the West Bengal unit, a move seen as an attempt to calm factional storms, revive a demoralised cadre and address the growing perception that it lacks cultural connect and ideological clarity in the state. "The party is above individuals. My focus will be on strengthening the organisation and outreach at all levels. West Bengal deserves a better alternative to the politics of violence, corruption and communalism pursued by the TMC," Bhattacharya told PTI after taking charge. Rhetoric alone, however, will likely not suffice, feel political analysts. The BJP in Bengal is confronting serious challenges, both internal and electoral. In a marked shift in tone, Bhattacharya has sought to position the BJP as an inclusive force, distinct from the strident posturing of some of its leaders. "The BJP's fight is not against the state's minorities. Young boys in minority households who are roaming around with stones. We want to snatch away the stones and hand them books. We want to take away their swords and give them pens instead. We envision a Bengal where a Durga Puja procession and a Muharram rally are held side by side without conflict," he had said recently. The remarks appear to be part of a conscious attempt to win over middle-class urban voters, liberal professionals, and the youth groups that contributed to the BJP's 2021 assembly poll setback.
