Asia Press Agency

Tag: AIADMK

  • Chennai Super Kings Cricket Emerges as Top Donor to AIADMK

    Chennai Super Kings Cricket Emerges as Top Donor to AIADMK

    The recent data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has shed light on the intricate details of political funding through electoral bonds. In this latest set of data, one notable revelation is the involvement of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd, the company behind the IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in political donations.

     

    According to the data, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd emerges as the top donor to the Tamil Nadu-based political party AIADMK. The company made substantial contributions totaling ₹5 crore through electoral bonds over just two days, from April 2 to April 4, 2019. This significant contribution constitutes the largest donation received by AIADMK through electoral bonds, with the party accumulating a total of ₹6.05 crore through the 2018 scheme.

     

    In addition to Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd, other donors to AIADMK include Coimbatore-based Lakshmi Machine Works Limited, which donated ₹1 crore through electoral bonds, and an individual named Gopal Srinivasan from Chennai, who contributed ₹5 lakh to the regional party of Tamil Nadu.

     

    Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKCL) operates the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise in the highly popular Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK has established itself as one of the most successful teams in the IPL, clinching five titles in the tournament’s history. Led by the iconic former Team India skipper MS Dhoni, CSK is set to defend its title and kick off the tournament against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening match on March 22.

     

    CSKCL operates as a subsidiary of India Cements Limited, a renowned cement manufacturing company headquartered in Chennai. With a market share of over 28% in South India, India Cements is the largest producer of cement in the region. The company boasts four manufacturing plants in Tamil Nadu and four in Andhra Pradesh, serving customers across South India and Maharashtra.

     

    On its official website, India Cements proudly identifies itself as a sponsor of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), highlighting its association with the successful IPL franchise. This collaboration underscores the synergy between sports and corporate entities, showcasing the mutual benefits derived from such partnerships.

  • Key Events Unfolding in India Amidst Valentine Week

    Key Events Unfolding in India Amidst Valentine Week

    February 9 marks a significant day for India, amidst Valentine week celebrations, as key diplomatic, political, judicial, and financial events are set to unfold across the country. Here’s a rundown of the noteworthy Valentine week day happenings:

     

    • Extension of Budget Session: The ongoing Budget session of Parliament, initially slated to conclude on February 9, has been extended by a day until February 10, as announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. The government intends to present a ‘white paper’ contrasting the Indian economy’s pre and post-2014 conditions during this extended session.

     

    • Inauguration of ‘Sushasan Mahotsav’: BJP’s national president J P Nadda is set to inaugurate a two-day ‘Sushasan Mahotsav’ today. Organized by the Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, this festival aims to celebrate good governance.

     

    • Land for Job Scam Trial: A Delhi court has issued summons for several individuals, including former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi and others, in connection with a ‘land for job scam’ case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The accused are instructed to appear before the PMLA court on February 9 for trial proceedings.

     

    • Introduction of ‘Bharat Rice’ Scheme: Under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF), the government will begin retailing ‘Bharat rice’ at ₹29 per kg under the ‘Bharat brand’ starting from today. This initiative aims to provide relief to the middle class and the poor, with each kilogram of ‘Bharat rice’ containing 5 percent broken rice.

     

    • Chhattisgarh Assembly Session: The first budget of the newly-elected Chhattisgarh legislative assembly for FY 2024-25 will be tabled on February 9. The session will commence with Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan’s address.

     

    • AIADMK Protest Against Derogatory Remarks: AIADMK will organize a protest in response to alleged derogatory remarks against late MGR made by DMK leader A Raja. Led by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K.Palaniswami, the protest will take place at Avinashi in the Nilgiris district.

     

    • Odisha BJP’s ‘Gaon Chalo’ Campaign: The Odisha BJP unit will launch a three-day ‘Gaon Chalo’ campaign from February 9, aimed at informing the masses about various schemes launched by the central government in the past decade, as part of their preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

     

    • Congress ‘Samaragni’ Yatra in Kerala: Congress will kickstart a state-wide ‘Samaragni’ yatra in Kerala from February 9, as part of its political activities in the state.

     

    • Second Round of Seat-sharing Talks Between Congress and DMK: Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress will engage in the second round of seat-sharing talks with the DMK in Tamil Nadu on February 9.

     

    • Implementation of Essential Commodities Act: Starting from February 9, the Centre has imposed the Essential Commodities Act, making it mandatory for traders to declare rice/paddy stocks every Friday on a designated portal.

     

    • Pakistan Elections Results: The Pakistan election commission is set to announce unofficial results of all 859 constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies on February 9.

     

    As these events unfold during the Valentine week, they reflect the diverse and dynamic landscape of Indian politics, diplomacy, and governance, shaping the country’s trajectory in various spheres. Stay tuned for updates on these developments throughout the day.

  • AIADMK Ends Alliance with BJP Over Chief Ministerial Candidate

    AIADMK Ends Alliance with BJP Over Chief Ministerial Candidate

    The All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has officially severed its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu, citing multiple reasons, including a dispute over the projection of K Annamalai as the chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 Assembly elections. A senior AIADMK leader, KC Karuppannan, provided insight into the reasons behind the dissolution of the alliance.

     

    Dispute Over Chief Ministerial Candidate:

    One of the primary factors leading to the dissolution of the AIADMK-BJP alliance was the BJP’s insistence on projecting K Annamalai, the state unit chief of the Tamil Nadu BJP, as the chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 Assembly polls. AIADMK leader KC Karuppannan revealed this information during a party event in Erode. The AIADMK was reportedly not in favor of accepting this proposal, which contributed to the breakdown of the alliance.

     

    Criticism of J Jayalalithaa:

    Another significant factor contributing to the rift between the two parties was K Annamalai’s criticism of the late AIADMK matriarch, J Jayalalithaa. The AIADMK found it unacceptable for a member of their alliance to criticize their revered leader, further straining the relationship between the two parties.

     

    Impact on Electoral Strategies:

    AIADMK’s decision to end the alliance with the BJP comes in the backdrop of upcoming elections. KP Munusamy, another AIADMK senior functionary, announced that party chief Edappadi Palaniswami would lead a separate alliance comprising smaller state parties in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Munusamy also rejected allegations made by the ruling DMK party that the AIADMK would patch up with the BJP ahead of the 2024 polls.

     

    Denial of Calls for Annamalai’s Removal:

    Contrary to reports that suggested AIADMK leadership had called for the removal of K Annamalai as the state unit chief of the BJP during a meeting with BJP president JP Nadda, AIADMK leader Munusamy denied such claims. He stated that it would be “childish” for a party as large as AIADMK to seek the removal of the state president of another party.

     

    Impact on AIADMK’s Voter Base:

    AIADMK’s decision to exit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as announced on September 25, was met with enthusiasm by the party’s supporters. Many within the AIADMK believed that the party was losing its grip on Dravidian and minority community voters due to its association with the BJP. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu is expected to undergo significant changes as parties reconfigure their alliances and strategies ahead of the upcoming elections.

  • Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Responds to AIADMK’s Exit from NDA

    Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Responds to AIADMK’s Exit from NDA

    The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has witnessed a significant development as the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) recently severed its ties with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), leaving many wondering about the future course of action. K Annamalai, the BJP’s state chief in Tamil Nadu, has offered insights into how the BJP plans to respond to this development.

     

    Announcement of a ‘Timely Response’: Speaking on the matter, BJP Chief K Annamalai indicated that the BJP’s central leadership would provide a “timely response” to AIADMK’s decision to part ways with the NDA. While on his ‘En Mann En Makkal’ (My Land My People) yatra, Annamalai had initially refrained from commenting on the situation.

     

    Tensions and Discord: The relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP had been fraught with tension and discord in recent months. Leaders from both parties engaged in public spats and verbal exchanges, which contributed to the growing strain in the alliance. Top AIADMK leaders had even traveled to Delhi to meet with their BJP counterparts last week, shortly before the AIADMK announced its departure from the NDA.

     

    Annamalai’s Role: K Annamalai’s leadership of the Tamil Nadu BJP has been a contentious issue, with AIADMK leaders criticizing him for allegedly crossing the “alliance dharma” lines. Annamalai has also faced backlash for his remarks regarding prominent Tamil Nadu leaders like Annadurai and Periyar.

     

    The Future of Tamil Nadu Politics: With AIADMK’s exit from the NDA, the political landscape in Tamil Nadu is expected to witness significant changes. It remains to be seen how this development will impact future alliances and electoral dynamics in the state.

     

    As political developments continue to unfold in Tamil Nadu, the responses and actions of both the BJP and the AIADMK will be closely monitored, as they will likely shape the trajectory of the state’s politics in the coming months and years.

  • AIADMK Announces Split from BJP-Led NDA Alliance

    AIADMK Announces Split from BJP-Led NDA Alliance

    In a significant political development, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has declared its intention to lead a separate front in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, breaking away from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The decision was reached during a party meeting chaired by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, which included key office-bearers, district secretaries, and MLAs.

     

    The breaking point in the alliance between AIADMK and BJP can be traced back to certain remarks made by K Annamalai, the BJP state chief, about the late Dravidian stalwart CN Annadurai. These remarks ignited a war of words and led senior AIADMK leader Jayakumar to call off the alliance on September 18, firmly stating that he was conveying the party’s position on the matter.

     

    K P Munusamy, AIADMK Deputy Coordinator and former minister, explained the party’s unanimous resolution during the meeting, stating, “AIADMK unanimously passed a resolution in the meeting. AIADMK is breaking all ties with BJP and NDA from today. The state leadership of the BJP has been continuously making unnecessary remarks about our former leaders, our general secretary EPS, and our cadres for the past one year.”

     

    The resolution did not specifically name individuals but criticized the recent actions of the BJP’s state leadership, accusing them of defaming late CN Annadurai and late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, as well as criticizing AIADMK’s policies.

     

    The rift between the two erstwhile allies appeared to center around BJP state president K Annamalai, whose comments about Annadurai had strained their relationship.

     

    AIADMK leaders had flown to the national capital to meet with BJP leaders J P Nadda and Piyush Goyal, seeking an apology from Annamalai for his remarks. They also proposed the appointment of a non-controversial leader to work closely with AIADMK during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if an apology was not possible.

     

    The central BJP leadership, while not explicitly stating their position, appeared to support Annamalai’s assertive approach for the party’s growth, according to a senior BJP leader.

     

    On September 25, Jayakumar confirmed that there had been no change in their stance since September 18, reiterating that there was no alliance with the BJP. He declined to provide further details, suggesting that the matter might be discussed at a later date.

     

    This decision by the AIADMK marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a new dynamic ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

  • AIADMK Snaps Ties with BJP

    AIADMK Snaps Ties with BJP

    The AIADMK, a Dravidian party in Tamil Nadu, has announced the snapping of ties with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), signaling the end of a political alliance between the two parties. This decision comes after a series of controversial remarks made by a senior BJP leader in Tamil Nadu, which led to tensions and disagreements between the AIADMK and the BJP.

     

    The rift began when Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai made comments about former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and the late Chief Minister CN Annadurai, both of whom are revered figures in Tamil Nadu’s political history. Annamalai’s remarks were seen as disrespectful by AIADMK leaders and supporters.

     

    The specific comments that sparked controversy include:

     

    1. Comments on Jayalalithaa: Annamalai stated in an interview that “many administrations of Tamil Nadu were corrupt with former chief ministers convicted in courts of law.” This comment was perceived as an affront to Jayalalithaa’s legacy, and the AIADMK passed a condemnation resolution against Annamalai for his remark.

     

    2. Comments on Annadurai: During a demonstration against the participation of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu in a conference, Annamalai made a comment related to Annadurai. He defended his statement, claiming that he was protecting Sanatan Dharma and Tamil culture.

     

    The AIADMK took offense to these remarks and expressed its strong objection. Senior AIADMK leader D Jayakumar emphasized that the party would not tolerate any insult to its leaders, particularly figures like Annadurai. He argued that the AIADMK could not continue its alliance with the BJP in the face of such criticism.

     

    In response, Jayakumar declared that the alliance between the AIADMK and the BJP no longer existed, stating, “As far as the alliance is concerned, it is not there. BJP is not with AIADMK. (The matter) can be decided only during the election. This is our stand.”

     

    Furthermore, Jayakumar criticized Annamalai’s leadership and suggested that the BJP would fare poorly in Tamil Nadu without the AIADMK’s support.

     

    The strained relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP in Tamil Nadu raises questions about the BJP’s electoral prospects in the state, especially in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Tamil Nadu has a unique political landscape with a strong presence of Dravidian parties, and alliances play a crucial role in electoral success. The BJP’s ambitions in Tamil Nadu may face challenges if it cannot secure a strong alliance or maintain positive relations with regional parties.

     

    Overall, the AIADMK’s decision to cut ties with the BJP reflects the complexities of coalition politics in Tamil Nadu and the significance of maintaining the respect and legacy of prominent Dravidian leaders in the state. The outcome of this development will likely be closely watched as political dynamics evolve in the run-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.