AIADMK assails Congress, allies for bringing in caste dimension to Cabinet shuffle
Addressing a press conference, Mr. Anbalagan condemned what he alleged were attempts of the Congress and its allies to drive a wedge between communities on the basis of caste for electoral gain.
The AIADMK leader said though two Ministers, one from the BJP and the other from the AINRC, had been replaced for various reasons disconnected from their community background, the Congress was trying to create a controversy by injecting a caste dimension to these decisions taken by the leadership of the respective parties.
He dismissed as an outright lie the Congress's claim that the Chief Minister Rangasamy-led AINRC-BJP coalition was the only government to not have Ministers from the Scheduled Castes community. Mr. Anbalagan proceeded to list list previous Congress Ministries, including the governments headed by the three-time Chief Minister M.O.H. Farook in 1985 or V. Vaithilingam later. Even the coalition government led by DMK Chief Minister R.V. Janakiraman (1996-99) did not have representation from these communities, he said. Both the Congress and the DMK are conveniently forgetting this history in their pretence of advocating for the Dalit communities, he added.
Mr. Anbalagan said he would seek the party leadership's concurrence for petitioning the Election Commission of India to probe the declared election expenditure of the CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu to contest the 2024 general election. The CPM, which had received ₹10 crore donation from the DMK, has claimed that the money was used for electioneering in the two victorious Parliamentary constituencies. Even if that statement was taken at face value, the total expenditure could not have exceeded ₹1.80 core for the two constituencies.
If given the go-ahead by former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Mr. Anbalagan said he would seek an ECI probe into the discrepency in stated expenditure that raised a cloud over the legitimacy of the electoral wins in the two seats.
Mr. Anbalagan assailed the Communist parties for serving as mouthpieces of the DMK at the expense of their ideological core. He pointed to the glaring contradiction of the Communist parties being rivals in Kerala and allies elsewhere, and said that it exposed their ideological compromises.
Mr. Anbalagan also called for an intensive crackdown on the rising drug trafficking menace in the Union Territory, especially the Karaikal region. According to the AIADMK leader, Karaikal was also turning a conduit for smuggling drugs by the sea route. He urged the Chief Minister and Home Minister to convene a high-level meeting of the police top brass to discuss pressing issues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
9 minutes ago
- News18
Parliament Gears Up for Stormy Monsoon Session As Debates Loom Over Op Sindoor, Electoral Roll
Last Updated: Parliament will also consider resolution seeking approval for extension of President's Rule in Manipur, which was imposed on February 13, under Article 356(1) of the Constitution. The Monsoon Session of Parliament kicks off today, July 21, amid heightened political tension, as the Opposition's INDIA bloc prepares to launch a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government. Key flashpoints include the recent cross-border military operation, Operation Sindoor, and pressing domestic issues such as electoral roll revisions in Bihar. This marks the first parliamentary session following Operation Sindoor, India's precision military response to terror camps in Pakistan. The operation was carried out after the devastating April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists. The Opposition is expected to demand a detailed explanation from the Prime Minister on the military action and its broader implications. Session Timeline The session is scheduled to run until August 21, 2025, with a planned adjournment from August 12 to 17 to accommodate Independence Day celebrations. In total, there will be 21 sittings over the span of 32 days. Legislative Agenda: 15 Bills on the Table Income Tax Bill, 2025 – Introduced in February and currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – To update the 2017 state-specific GST Act. Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Seeks to revise existing tax frameworks. Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – Aims to include IIM Guwahati under the IIM Act, 2017. Additional maritime and infrastructure bills, such as the Coastal Shipping Bill, Merchant Shipping Bill, and Indian Ports Bill, as well as legal and cultural preservation bills like the Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics Bill and Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa Bill. Also expected is financial business related to Demands for Grants for Manipur (2025–26) and the accompanying Appropriation Bill. Opposition Demands PM's Direct Response The INDIA bloc is insisting that Prime Minister Modi personally address Parliament regarding Operation Sindoor. In addition, they have raised concerns over former US President Donald Trump's recent claims about brokering peace between India and Pakistan, calling for an official clarification. The Opposition also plans to spotlight the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, alleging irregularities and voter deletions. Congress MP and Deputy Leader in Rajya Sabha, Pramod Tiwari, stressed the need for Modi's accountability. 'Parliament is more important than travelling abroad," he said, referencing the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to the UK and Maldives from July 23 to 26. Key Topics Expected To Dominate Debates Beyond military and electoral concerns, the Opposition aims to bring up: Restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The April Pahalgam terror attack. Alleged irregularities in the Bihar voter revision process. Kiren Rijiju has maintained that while the government is open to discussions on any issue — including Operation Sindoor — debates must adhere to established rules and procedures. Final decisions on the schedule and content of discussions will be made by the Business Advisory Committees of both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. President's Rule in Manipur Parliament will also consider a resolution seeking approval for the extension of President's Rule in Manipur, which was imposed on February 13, 2025, under Article 356(1) of the Constitution. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
'He Is Not With Us': Congress Leader Over Shashi Tharoor's Stance On National Security
Last Updated: Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan said that Shashi Tharoor will not be invited to any party events in Thiruvananthapuram unless he alters his stance on national security. Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has said his party colleague Shashi Tharoor will not be invited to any party programme in Thiruvananthapuram till he changes his stance on the national security issue. Muraleedharan's remark came as he responded to reporters on a question of Tharoor sticking to his stand on the issue of national security. A day earlier, Tharoor had said that the nation comes first and parties are the means of making the country better. Reacting to Tharoor's remark, Muraleedharan said that Tharoor, also a Congress Working Committee (CWC) member, was no longer considered as 'one of us". He added that the party's national leadership would decide what action would be required against the Congress MP. 'Till he (Tharoor) changes his stance, we will not invite him to any party programme held in Thiruvananthapuram. He is not with us, so there is no question of him boycotting an event," Muraleedharan said. Shashi Tharoor, was led one of the multi-party delegations to world capitals to put forth India's stance against terrorism, had said that a lot of people have been very critical of him because of his stand supporting the armed forces and the central government in connection with India's response to Pakistan in the form of 'Operation Sindoor'. 'But I will stand my ground, because I believe this is the right thing for the country," he had said at an event in Kochi on July 19. Tharoor had also said that when people like him call for cooperating with other parties in the interests of national security, their own parties feel that it's disloyal to them and that becomes a big problem. Earlier too, Muraleedharn had hit out at Tharoor over sharing of a survey suggesting he is United Democratic Front's most preferred choice for chief minister, saying 'he should first decide which party he belongs to". The senior Congress leader had also attacked Tharoor following his article criticising Indira Gandhi over the Emergency appearing in a Malayalam daily. Muraleedharan had urged the CWC member to choose a clear political path if he felt constrained within the Congress. view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 07:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
We have especially identified 8 issues: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Sunday gave an inside in the INDIA alliance meeting held on July 19, and said that the INDIA Alliance has finalised its strategy ahead of Monsoon Session of Parliament , which centres around the Pahalgam terror attack , Operation Sindoor , and statements made by US President Donald Trump . MP Tiwari, while talking to ANI, said, "Yesterday, a detailed discussion on formulating strategy for the upcoming session regarding the crisis in which the nation has been pushed into by the BJP-NDA Government . It was a joint effort held in a conducive environment. I am happy to tell you that keeping national interest as supreme, it has been decided against the BJP's activities that are weakening the country, its democracy and economy." Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Technology healthcare Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Digital Marketing Data Science MCA Finance Public Policy Leadership Design Thinking CXO Product Management Data Science Operations Management Healthcare Degree Project Management Cybersecurity Management MBA PGDM Others others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details MP Tiwari said that the US President Trump's statement about the five fighter jets being shot down is disturbing and added, "It has been decided to raise issues, the most important being the Pahalgam attack. To date, the traces of terrorists have not been found. Regarding Operation Sindoor, US President Donald Trump stated for the 24th time that he secured the ceasefire. A shocking statement was made that five fighter jets were shot down. The defence attache also said the same. CDS too said the same. This disturbs us." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo He also mentioned that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) happening in Bihar is killing democracy and said, "In Bihar, democracy is being murdered with SIR. The manner in which India has been isolated in its foreign policy is also an issue. Even now, heinous massacres are occurring - Israel is doing this in Gaza is also an issue. The issue is also about the oppression of SC, ST, women and minorities and crimes against them. We have especially identified 8 issues. We are confident that all 24 parties (in the INDIA Alliance) will support us; even the parties who are not a part of this will support us." The Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament is scheduled to begin on July 21 and conclude on August 21. Live Events During the monsoon session of Parliament, the government plans to push its legislative agenda, which includes some new bills. The bills on the agenda of the government include Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill of 2025, Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill of 2025, Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025, the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) bill 2025, the Geoheritage Sites and Geo-relics (Preservation and Maintenance) bill 2025, the Mines and Mines (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2025, the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025. The government's agenda also includes the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, and the Income Tax Bill, 2025. The monsoon session of Parliament will continue till August 21.
