Latest news with #Selvaperunthagai
The Hindu
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP bringing up Katchatheevu issue to divert attention from Centre's failure to secure T.N. fishermen's rights: TNCC chief
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai on Saturday said the BJP was raking up the 50-year-old Katchatheevu issue to divert attention away from the Union government's failure to ensure Tamil fishermen don't face violence and harrassment from the Sri Lankan Navy. In a statement, Mr. Selvaperunthagai said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was trying to cover-up the actions of the Sri Lankan Navy against Tamil Nadu fishermen over the last 11 years of BJP rule at the Centre. He also clarified that Katchatheevu was not ceded to Sri Lanka during Emergency. 'The External Affairs Minister has made factually incorrect statements. Emergency was not in effect when the agreement [to cede the island] was signed on June 26, 1974. On July 23, 1974, the then External Affairs Minister Swaran Singh tabled a report in the Lok Sabha and addressed Parliament. All political parties, including the BJP, participated and voiced their opinions,' he said. 'After the Congress government, did Prime Minister Vajpayee, during his six-year tenure, or Prime Minister Modi, during his 11-year rule, ever hold talks with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister about reclaiming Katchatheevu? If Katchatheevu was truly the root cause of the fishermen's problems, the Indian government should have raised this with Sri Lanka,' Mr. Selvaperunthagai added. He said: 'Tamil Nadu fishermen are not arrested near Katchatheevu. Instead, they are arrested when they unintentionally cross the maritime boundary into Sri Lankan waters, especially during nighttime fishing. Therefore, the BJP government must hold talks with Sri Lanka to secure fishing rights in those waters based on the livelihoods of Tamil Nadu's fishermen.'
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNCC chief meets S Ramadoss, says only a courtesy call, no alliance talks
VILLUPURAM: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai met PMK founder S Ramadoss at his residence in Thailapuram near Tindivanam on Friday. The meeting of a leader of the DMK-led alliance amid the intense leadership tussle under way within the PMK between Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss raised eyebrows, especially since Anbumani recently accused the ruling DMK of being behind the tussle. But Ramadoss had later refuted it. Selvaperunthagai, however, clarified to the media, that the meeting, which lasted roughly for about 30 minutes, was purely a courtesy call. 'There is no political angle. Dr Ramadoss has been in public life for 40 years and I met him out of respect,' he said, adding that he enquired about the leader's health. TNCC vice-president K Vijayan accompanied him. 'There was no discussion about alliances. If the PMK is to join the DMK-led alliance, only Chief Minister M K Stalin can decide that,' Selvaperunthagai said. He said Anbumani's remarks blaming the DMK for the PMK's internal rift reflected his lack of understanding. 'Dr Ramadoss is a seasoned politician who will take the right decision in Tamil Nadu's interest.' Selvaperunthagai said the meeting happened while en route to Chennai after attending the centenary celebration of late Congress leader Ilayaperumal at Kattumannarkoil, Cuddalore, on Thursday, where senior Congress leader P Chidambaram was present.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Tamil Nadu Congress chief meets NDA ally party founder, says DMK alliance intact
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai met PMK founder S Ramadoss at his Thailapuram residence near Tindivanam on Friday, sparking speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the 2026 Assembly any political discussions, Selvaperunthagai told reporters that the visit was purely to enquire about Ramadoss' health.'Why are you harping about alliance? I came here to call on Ramadoss and enquire about his health. We did not discuss politics,' he Reiterating that the DMK-led alliance remains strong, the TNCC chief said, 'I didn't meet to talk about alliance. It is for our alliance leader Stalin to decide and announce. The DMK alliance is intact and it will form the government again in 2026.'He also lashed out at the AIADMK for remaining silent over the BJP and Hindu Munnani allegedly insulting former Chief Minister CN Annadurai at the Murugan devotees' conference in Madurai. 'They have become submissive to the BJP. They are afraid to boldly criticise the BJP or even issue a statement condemning the saffron party for insulting Anna,' he being asked whether the meeting signals Ramadoss moving towards the DMK camp after having allied with the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Selvaperunthagai responded, 'He is a matured politician. He does not tilt towards anyone and is capable of taking firm decisions.'advertisementThe PMK has been witnessing internal tensions lately, with Ramadoss reportedly at odds with his son Anbumani Ramadoss over the party's leadership and direction.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
New Indian Express
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
TNCC president Selvaperunthagai slams centre over GST, delimitation and Murugan conference
COIMBATORE: Tamilnadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai strongly criticised the BJP-led Central government on Saturday, questioning its intent and fairness on multiple fronts, including GST allocation, parliamentary seat delimitation, and cultural politics. Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore airport, Selvaperunthagai said, "How can a government that failed to ensure fair GST distribution across states promise a just delimitation of parliamentary constituencies?" He accused the Centre of deliberately ignoring Tamil Nadu's interests. "Tamil Nadu is the third largest GST contributor in the country, yet we don't receive our rightful share. The BJP government continues to treat Tamil Nadu as less than an equal state," he said, calling the move a betrayal. Referring to the recent Lord Murugan conference organised by the Union government, the TN Congress leader questioned its motive. "Our Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department had already held a Murugan conference. Why the need now for a second one by the Union government? If they truly believe in equality, they should hold such events in Gujarat or Uttar Pradesh too," he said, alleging an attempt to stir fear among people. Commenting on Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Tamil Nadu, he said the BJP was seeking to create chaos in the state. "But the people of Tamil Nadu are politically aware. There is no space for the BJP or the RSS in this land," he added. On the proposed parliamentary delimitation, Selvaperunthagai warned that increasing the number of seats from 545 to 1,000 could dilute Tamil Nadu's voice in Parliament. "Even today, Tamil Nadu struggles to get ten minutes of speaking time. With 1,000 MPs, it might be just two minutes. That's not justice," he said. He demanded that the Union government immediately conduct a caste-wise census and stop delaying it under flimsy pretexts.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre has diverted funds due to Tamil Nadu to other states: TNCC chief
COIMBATORE: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai on Saturday accused the BJP-led central govt of collecting taxes from Tamil Nadu without releasing the corresponding funds to the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He condemned the Centre's move to reduce Lok Sabha seats in south India under the guise of constituency delimitation. Speaking to reporters at the Coimbatore International Airport on Saturday, Selvaperunthagai alleged that funds due to Tamil Nadu were being withheld and diverted to other states. 'Why the BJP govt, which exploits the blood and sweat of the people of Tamil Nadu, has not released funds for school education or disaster relief,' he asked. He accused the Centre of showing a stepmotherly attitude towards the state. The TNCC chief said the proposed delimitation would adversely affect southern states and it could render southern votes and parliamentary representation insignificant if carried out as the BJP desired. He warned that northern MPs would dominate decision-making, leaving little or no voice for the south. Commenting on Union home minister Amit Shah's visit to Madurai, he alleged that it was an attempt to create confusion and gain a foothold in Tamil Nadu. However, he asserted that such efforts would fail, as the people clearly understood the BJP's intentions. He reiterated that there was no place for the BJP or the RSS in the state.
