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India Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Nimisha Priya on death row: Pinarayi Vijayan writes to PM, husband meets Governor
Even as Centre told the Supreme Court there is nothing the Indian government can do as the matter of 'bloody money' pardon is a private matter, husband of Kerala nurse Nimisha Priya who is set to be executed in Yemen on July 16, said he had met the Kerala Governor to secure her release. Tomy Thomas, Nimisha Priya's husband, was accompanied by Congress MP Chandy Oommen, who facilitated the meeting with Governor Rajendra Arlekar in Thiruvananthapuram and said he felt more confident after receiving the Governor's assurance of support. advertisementSpeaking to India Today TV, Thomas said: 'I met the Governor yesterday. Congress MLA Chandy Oommen took me to meet him. The Governor has taken the issue seriously. He has promised me that he will inform the central government about it. He has spoken to them. Chandy Oommen and his mother (former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's wife) also met the Governor. Nimisha's mother wanted to speak to him. So we called her on video and he asked her to stay strong. He has promised all help.' Thomas also confirmed that MPs from the CPI(M), John Brittas and K Radhakrishnan, have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Minister of External Affairs, seeking urgent action to save Nimisha. 'Everybody is trying from their end. Everyone is negotiating in whatever way they can. I don't know how positive it is. We need strong interference from the central government. Action Council members, state government, central government – are all working hard. Action Council members are working in different sectors, still they are all running for this. I am sure all the hardwork will pay off,' he said, adding that he hadn't been speaking to people much even though they kept calling him. 'When I met the Governor, I felt more confident. I was planning to go to Delhi. Governor said he will arrange everything from here,' Thomas said there was no clear communication yet made to the Indian Action Council or the embassy about the family of the deceased accepting blood money. 'Work is being done by the embassy, our lawyer and Action Council members are taking risks to convince his family. I will speak on it once they give any information. Whatever the family says, we are ready to accept,' he also confirmed that he remains in regular contact with Nimisha, who keeps him updated on developments. 'Yes, I am in touch with her. I get to talk to her sometimes. She was the one who informed me about it. Then I informed others. That's how it usually is. She informs me whenever there is any update,' he Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, too, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 13, urging his intervention in the matter. 'I appeal to the Hon'ble Prime Minister to take up the matter and intervene with the authorities concerned to save the life of Nimisha Priya,' he wrote. In a post on X, Vijayan said, 'Wrote to Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji urging urgent intervention to secure the release of Nimisha Priya, who remains imprisoned in Yemen. The Government of Kerala stands firmly with all those working towards her exoneration and safe return.' advertisementMeanwhile, the central government informed the Supreme Court that it had few options to secure the release or prevent Nimisha's execution. Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, said that paying 'blood money' was the only remaining option, which was a private matter in which the government cannot directly intervene. - Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Chandy Oommen faces backlash for inviting Maharashtra Governor to youth sports programme
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Son of former CM Oommen Chandy and Puthuppally MLA Chandy Oommen has kicked up a controversy by inviting Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan to inaugurate a free sports training programme to be held on May 4 in his constituency, aimed at attracting youngsters to sports and keep them away from drugs. C P Radhakrishnan was an RSS Swayamsevak and a BJP national leader before being appointed as Maharashtra governor. The programme comes at a time when the state Congress leadership is in a direct fight with the BJP in Palakkad after the latter locked horns with Rahul Mamkootathil over the naming of a school after RSS founder K B Hedgewar. The programme is organised by Oommen Chandy Foundation and Don Bosco Community Sports Centre against the increasing use of drugs among youngsters. The programme aims to channelise youngsters towards sports activity. Under the programme 'Sports for a Change,' the foundation will give football training to youngsters in the age group of 10-18 years. 'The governor's office had contacted and informed me that C P Radhakrishnan wanted to pay homage at the tomb of Appa,' Chandy Oommen told TNIE. 'It was a big surprise for me. It was a great gesture on his part to show humanity,' he said. Chandy said that three panchayats from Puthupally and Changanassery segments are included in the project. Radhakrishnan is coming to Puthupally to participate in another programme. He will reach the Church at 10.30 am after inaugurating a cultural conference at Puthuppally Church. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told TNIE that he was unaware of the programme Oommen Chandy Foundation organised. 'The Maharashtra governor is to inaugurate the cultural conference at Puthuppally Church. There is nothing wrong in inviting him to that programme as the governor is a constitutional post and is considered non-partisan,' he said.
