The maiden budget of the TVK-led Tamil Nadu government, presented on Wednesday, received mixed reactions from political parties. While some welcomed its welfare measures and development plans, others said it failed to fulfil several election promises and address key public concerns.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA Udhayanidhi Stalin was detained for questioning by a joint team of Thanjavur and Neelankarai police from his residence on East Coast Road in Neelankarai at around 11 am on Tuesday in connection with multiple cases registered over his alleged derogatory remarks against women during a Cauvery protest in Thanjavur on Monday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has renewed his opposition to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), urging the Centre to allow states to admit students to MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH courses based solely on Class 12 examination marks.
In a significant development that has shaken opposition politics, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced its decision to pull out of the INDIA Bloc, citing irreconcilable differences with the Indian National Congress following the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
In a development that could trigger a massive political realignment in Tamil Nadu, reports indicate that former state BJP chief K. Annamalai is contemplating a complete exit from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The dynamic leader, who has been the prominent face of the saffron party in the Dravidian heartland, is reportedly planning to launch an independent political outfit.
Governor RajendraVishwanathArlekar has approved the recommendation of Chief Minister Vijay to induct 23 MLAs into the Tamil Nadu Council of Ministers, marking the first major Cabinet expansion of the newly formed TamilagaVettriKazhagam (TVK) government.
Denying allegations doing the rounds that he worked to bring together two major political parties after the results of the Assembly elections in an attempt to form the government, actor Rajinikanth, on Sunday, said, “I am not such a disgraceful person who would do such things.”
Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, marking a historic political shift in the state. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Vijay and his council of ministers.
Following the recent state assembly elections, Tamil Nadu Governor RajendraVishwanathArlekar has officially asked C. Joseph Vijay, president of the TamilagaVettriKazhagam (TVK), to provide documented proof of support from at least 118 MLAs before he can be invited to form a new government.
The AIADMK is learnt to have sent feelers to the DMK seeking support to form a government in Tamil Nadu where the elections resulted in a hung Assembly. The DMK leadership, however, gave short shrift to the proposal, sources said. The DMK “was firm on sitting in the Opposition”, as it was not interested in going against the people’s mandate.
