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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan passes away
Thiruvananthapuram: Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan, affectionately known as Comrade VS to his partymen and beyond, died at a private hospital here on Monday at the age of 101. The firebrand leader, whose life's story is also the socio-political history of Kerala, was on a life support system for the last 28 days, and he breathed his last at 3.20pm. He was hospitalised following a massive heart attack on June 23, and true to his nature, put up a tough fight against odds. His trusted lieutenants, who were camping at the hospital, believed until the last moment that he was coming back to life. However, on Monday, his health deteriorated, and the blood pressure went low. The doctors passed the message to his family members, and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself rushed to the hospital to catch a glimpse of the last surviving founder leader of the CPM . The funeral will be held in Alappuzha's 'Valiya Chudukadu' on Wednesday evening, after public homage at AKG Centre on Monday evening and Secretariat Durbar Hall in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday and Alappuzha Town Hall on Wednesday. The demise of Achuthanandan, a staunch Marxist known for his sharp rhetoric, anti-corruption stance and unwavering commitment to social justice, marks the end of an unparalleled era. He demonstrated through his life that it was no different from struggle. Few politicians in the country must have aged as wisely and fondly as Achuthanandan did. A gifted demagogue and a crowd-puller, he was a born rebel with a rare clarity on the causes he stood for. He worked as the conscience keeper of the CPM until old age weakened him completely. VS shot to fame as a crusader against corruption, a green activist, and a humanist during the final phase of his over 80 years of active political career. Unlike many other cult figures carefully crafted by the CPM, the popularity of VS was more incidental, and it baffled and irritated his own party honchos, whom he openly criticised for being crafty revisionists in the age of liberalisation. Born to Velikkakathu Sankaran and Akkamma on Oct 20, 1923, near Punnapra, Alappuzha, Achuthanandan lost his mother when he was four and his father at 11. He ended his formal education in the seventh grade as there were no means for even a meal a day. The "chovan" (Ezhava) boy also had to face taunts from the upper-caste children. He was only 21 years old when he was deputed to organise farm workers and labourers in Kuttanad. He joined the State Congress in 1939, before becoming a member of the Communist Party a year later. He was jailed for over five years during the post-Independence years, besides being forced to spend over four years underground to evade arrest. In 1957, with the formation of the first govt, Achuthanandan emerged as a prominent state leader. The party split in 1964, battles against policy changes, conflicts, and intense factional struggles, along with his shock defeat in Mararikulam, all intertwined Kerala politics with him. He was India's first communist leader from a working-class background to rise to the office of the chief minister in 2006. He was the CPM state secretary from 1980 to 1992. He was elected to the assembly four times and twice served as the opposition leader. In the 1996 election, he suffered a shock defeat in Mararikulam. He was always ready to put up a fight against what he perceived as ideological departure and revisionism in the CPM. In this fight, he earned the support of fellow comrades in the party. However, Achuthanandan never went the extra mile to protect the interests of his supporters, and as a result, many leaders deserted his camp or got ousted from the party. He could still find new supporters and new causes. In this process, he was mostly accused of giving weapons to party opponents. Even while raising the banner of revolt against party leadership, VS believed that he had no existence separate from the CPM and was ready to face disciplinary action from the party committees. Achuthanandan was the first politician in Kerala to identify the potential of green politics, and he meticulously fought against land grab and large-scale paddy reclamation. While serving as the opposition leader, he ardently fought for justice for victims in some of the infamous sexual harassment cases involving politicians and film stars. He was instrumental in former minister R Balakrishna Pillai getting a jail term in connection with a corruption case. Within the party, he publicly objected to the CPM's overtures to communal forces, including the IUML, PDP, and INL. His open squabbles with the then party state secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, cost him a place in the politburo. But setbacks and humiliations could not inflict any lasting effect on him. No wonder left intellectual Prof M N Vijayan once accused VS of 'feeding on defeat'! The indomitable spirit of VS was visible even in his 90s when he appointed a tutor to teach him Hindi after he was appointed the administrative reforms committee chairman.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul's stir forced SC to act on SIR, claims Cong
1 2 Patna: State Congress president Rajesh Kumar on Friday claimed that the Supreme Court was "compelled" to intervene in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar , apparently in response to the massive protests led by his party and the visible anger among the public. Speaking to reporters in Patna, Kumar said, "Whenever the country is in crisis, our MP Rahul Gandhi comes forward in the interest of the common people. It was in this context that we launched the 'chakka jam' protest in Bihar and keeping in view our agitation and the public's anger, the Supreme Court apparently chose to interfere in the matter." Affirming that the Congress would continue to fight for the rights of the poor and marginalised, Kumar described the Supreme Court's observations as a major blow to what he called the ruling coalition's "conspiracy to disenfranchise Dalit, OBC and other such communities." "The exercise was launched to impose vote-bandi, but the Supreme Court foiled this attempt," he claimed. Kumar added that the court's involvement would help curb the Election Commission's conduct. "It is rare for the court to make such direct comments about another constitutional body like the Election Commission," Kumar claimed.
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Not in Delhi to discuss Cabinet reshuffle: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress chief D. K. Shivakumar on Wednesday said that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are not in Delhi to discuss a cabinet reshuffle. Speaking to the media at Karnataka Bhavan in Delhi, Shivakumar said, 'We are here to discuss development projects. I have also sought time to meet the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. I may be able to meet him tomorrow (Thursday).' Shivakumar dismissed reports suggesting that he and the Chief Minister had come to Delhi to discuss dissidence within the Congress-led government in Karnataka, a leadership tussle, or a cabinet reshuffle. 'We are not here to discuss a cabinet reshuffle. We are meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to seek his approval for organising an air show during the Dasara Festival in Mysuru,' he said. Shivakumar also mentioned that a global tender has been floated for the construction of a tunnel road in Bengaluru. Work will commence soon. 'It is inevitable that toll plazas be constructed on tunnel roads. Toll plazas are established everywhere; why can't they be established on tunnel roads? Without toll plazas, their management will be difficult,' he said, responding to a question. Speaking about his meetings with Union Ministers on Tuesday, Shivakumar said discussions were held on the state's irrigation projects. Regarding the Mahadayi project, he stated that the Goa government had raised objections. 'We have explained the issue to the Union Minister of Jal Shakti and the Union Minister for Forests,' he added. 'Discussions were also held on the Mekedatu project and Krishna river water issues. The Union Ministers have assured us that all issues will be addressed,' he said. 'We have requested funds for the Ettinahole project. Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna was also present at the meeting. I also met Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, and briefed him about the irrigation projects,' Shivakumar said. He expressed discontent over Goa's issuance of a show-cause notice to Karnataka on the Kalasa-Banduri and Mahadayi projects. 'On what basis can the state of Goa issue a notice on a project implemented in our state? Only the Central government has the authority to question the state and seek clarification. This has been conveyed to the concerned Union Ministries,' he said. He further stated that the legal team has held discussions regarding the Kalasa-Banduri project and that the matter will be brought to the Chief Minister's notice. 'Kalasa-Banduri is a drinking water project. No state will be adversely affected by it, and we have conveyed that roadblocks should not be created for Karnataka,' he said. A report is to be submitted regarding the Mekedatu project, which will assess whether Tamil Nadu will be affected. 'The Supreme Court has also issued directions in this regard, and we are proceeding accordingly. We have informed that Tamil Nadu will receive more water than Karnataka after the implementation of the project,' Shivakumar stated. 'We have also sought funds for the Upper Bhadra project. The central government had promised to provide Rs 5,300 crore, but the state has not received the amount. Until the funds are released, there is no certainty,' he said.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Resettlement plan for violence-displaced unclear: Manipur Congress chief
BISHNUPUR (Manipur) The Manipur government's three-phase resettlement plan for people displaced by a long-drawn conflict lacks clarity and could deepen the divide between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people, State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra said. He said the government's decision to execute the plan by December would merely result in shifting the internally displaced people (IDP) from relief camps to prefabricated units, both in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo-inhabited hills, instead of facilitating their return to the homes they abandoned or were forced to leave. Thousands of people — Kuki-Zos from the Imphal Valley and Meiteis from the surrounding hills — were displaced after the ethnic conflict in Manipur broke out on May 3, 2023. On July 4, Manipur's Chief Secretary P.K. Singh said a three-phase resettlement plan for the IDP had been worked out with the Centre. The first of these three phases was underway, and the next two phases would be undertaken in October and December. 'No road map' 'This resettlement plan is unacceptable to the Congress because the government is unclear. There is no concrete road map, and it is designed to deepen the division between the communities and prolong the displacement of the IDP,' Mr. Meghachandra told The Hindu during an inspection of prefabricated houses for the displaced people in Bishnupur district's Phubala and Saitul. 'There are no efforts by the government under the President's Rule to bring the two communities together, and today is the 796th day since the conflict started. It is sad that even after two years and two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not found time to visit our State or discuss the conflict in Parliament or elsewhere, as if Manipur is not a part of India,' he said. The State Congress president, who represents the Wangkhem constituency in the 60-member Assembly, also slammed the government for claiming Meitei and Kuki-Zo farmers 'working eyeball to eyeball' on the periphery of the Imphal Valley have begun sharing water. 'Water has always been flowing down from the hills to the Valley areas naturally, especially during monsoon,' he said, insisting that the government should show seriousness in thinking about peace to let the communities live together and share resources. 'The government is responsible for what has happened [in Manipur] so far, and it has to take care of what will happen. But this government of the Prime Minister and Home Minister Amit Shah is not serious, not sincere,' Mr. Meghachandra said. Announcing the resettlement plan, the Chief Secretary claimed some of the internally displaced people have started 'going back', their number reducing from the initial 62,000 to 57,000. Those who exited the relief camps moved into prefabricated houses, each measuring 20 feet by 20 feet and worth ₹9.3 lakh. Most of the occupied houses are in the Imphal East and Imphal West districts. The Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited has been entrusted with constructing these prefabricated units.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Man who accused MP Cong chief of offering money to make fake allegation, missing with family: Digvijaya Singh
Ashoknagar (Madhya Pradesh): Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, Digvijaya Singh, on Wednesday, claimed that Gajraj Lodhi, who had accused State Congress President Jitu Patwari of "offering money" to make a fake video, has been missing from his home for the last 10 days. Singh in a video message said that he had visited Gajraj Lodhi's home in Mundara village under Mungaoli police station in Ashoknagar district on Tuesday evening. The veteran Congress leader claimed that Gajraj Lodhi's home was found locked from outside, and one of his cows was lying dead there. What is surprising is that no one came to remove the cow carcass due to fear from police, Singh claimed. "Gajraj's neighbours said that his family wasn't seen for the last 10 days, after an FIR was registered against Jitu Patwari. Locals also said that police have threatened them not to visit Gajraj's home, else they will directly face consequences," he added. Subsequently, Digvijaya Singh, who accompanied his son and Raghogarh MLA, Jaivardhan Singh arrived at the Mungaoli police station late on Tuesday and lodged a missing complaint of Gajraj Lodhi and his family. In the written complaint submitted at the Mungaoli police station, available with IANS, Digvijaya Singh wrote, "I had gone to meet Gajraj Lodhi at his residence in Mundara village, neither he nor any of his family members were found there. Villagers said that the family has been missing after an FIR was registered against Jitu Patwari." On June 27, a man identified himself as Raghuraj Lodhi in a viral video had claimed that he was beaten up by village sarpanch and his son. Raghuraj had also alleged that the village sarpanch forced him to eat human faeces. Patwari had shared that video on his social media accounts, demanding an action on June 28. However, on June 29, Raghuraj's brother Gajraj Lodhi share a video, claiming that Jitu Patwari had offered him money to make a "fake" video. Subsequently, based on Gajraj's statement, Mungaoli police had registered an FIR against Patwari on June 29. He was booked under Sections 61(2) criminal conspiracy, 196(1)(a) promoting enmity, 197(1)(c) assertion causing disharmony and hatred, 229(2) fabricating false evidence, 237 false declarations, and 353(1)(c) mischief under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. To oppose the FIR against Patwari, Congress held a massive protest in Ashoknagar on Tuesday. After the protest, Patwari has said that police officials have assured that case against him will be withdrawn after investigation.
