#O Panneerselvam

[tfgadgets]

Put an end to row over Tamil Thai Vaazhthu: Panneerselvam

Two days after the war of words between Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the erroneous rendering of Tamil Thai Vaazhthu by singers engaged by Prasar Bharati, former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Sunday sought an end to the controversy. “The management of Doodarshan has accepted its mistake. If the Governor is criticised even after that, people will start to…

[indiaepost]

Lok Sabha election results in TN crucial for Palaniswami and AIADMK's future

Chennai:  The results of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu will be crucial for AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS). After party coordinator and former Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam (OPS) was ousted from the party along with his supporters in the July 11, 2022 meeting of the AIADMK’s General Council, the party is solely under the control of…

[minvacakam]

Five O Panneerselvams To Elect From, In Tamil Nadu's Ramanathapuram - Deccan Chronicle

http://dlvr.it/T5dzfd

[currentmediasstuff]

BJP Forges New Paths in Tamil Nadu Politics: Reaching Out to AIADMK Rebels

In the dynamic landscape of Tamil Nadu politics, recent developments have showcased the BJP’s strategic moves as it navigates alliances and seeks to strengthen its presence in the state. With the AIADMK firm on its decision not to return to the NDA fold, the BJP has pivoted its approach, opening channels of communication with rebel AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam (OPS) and TTV Dhinakaran.

For OPS and Dhinakaran, aligning with the NDA presents a potential avenue to rejuvenate their political careers. However, the BJP’s outreach raises questions about its objectives in forging new alliances.

The announcement from AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami reaffirming the party’s stance against reuniting with the BJP provided clarity for the national party. Following this, the BJP swiftly moved to engage with OPS and Dhinakaran, acknowledging their interest in collaboration.

OPS, who had been waiting for a decisive move from the BJP, resumed political activity in his hometown of Theni. Sources close to him revealed his disappointment with the BJP’s hesitance to extend an offer, especially amidst ongoing negotiations with the AIADMK.

The BJP’s message to OPS and Dhinakaran reportedly includes an invitation to share the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Tamil Nadu. This gesture signals the BJP’s willingness to integrate the rebel leaders into its fold, recognizing their potential to influence local politics.

For Dhinakaran, whose political journey has been fraught with challenges, joining the NDA offers a chance at redemption. Despite facing legal hurdles and setbacks, his association with the BJP could provide a platform to rebuild his political stature, particularly in the wake of his aunt Sasikala’s reluctance to reenter the fray.

As the NDA gears up for seat-sharing discussions, OPS and Dhinakaran eye a significant share of seats in Tamil Nadu. Leveraging their respective support bases, they aim to secure representation in key constituencies, including Theni, Ramanathapuram, and Sivaganga.

Meanwhile, the AIADMK faces challenges in forming a formidable alliance to rival the DMK-led front. The uncertainty surrounding its partnership with the DMDK and ongoing negotiations with the PMK underscore the party’s dilemma.

The PMK, cognizant of its diminishing electoral clout, is bargaining hard with both the AIADMK and the BJP. However, its dwindling performance in recent elections underscores the need for a strategic alliance to remain relevant in Tamil Nadu politics.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the BJP’s overtures to AIADMK rebels signal a recalibration of its strategy in Tamil Nadu. With alliances taking shape and negotiations underway, the state braces for a crucial electoral battle, where every alliance and partnership could tip the scales of power.

[wiseedition]

Is Tamil superstar Vijay set for a political debut?

Sources close to the actor say he is considering launching a political outfit and contesting the Tamil Nadu polls in 2026

Kollywood, as the Tamil film industry is called, and politics are inseparable. Tamil cinema superstar Vijay, who has long been speculated to be considering launching a party, is now believed to have made up his mind to test the political waters sooner than later. Sources close to the actor suggest Vijay may launch his outfit after the 2024 Lok Sabha election and, if all goes according to plan, contest the Tamil Nadu polls in 2026.

The All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, an organisation named after the star by his fans and which takes care of Vijay’s social activities, could well be converted into a political party, say sources close to the actor. “The ground is being readied. The fans have been entrusted with specific tasks. We have been collecting information on various aspects and demands of voters and the key issues in each and every area. The timing of the political entry will be announced by Thalapathy (Vijay) alone,” said a senior functionary of the All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam, requesting anonymity.

Vijay appears to be keen to attempt the success formula of M.G. Ramachandran, the charismatic actor and philanthropist who became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. MGR’s fan club had laid a strong foundation for his political success even though he had been in politics for over a decade before launching a party of his own, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or AIADMK. Vijay’s fan club has been working for the needy in Tamil Nadu.

It was Vijay’s father, director S.A. Chandrasekhar, who initiated Vijay’s political plans in 2009. Once an admirer of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Chandrasekhar has often promoted Vijay as a future CM of Tamil Nadu even though his son had all this while shown reluctance in joining politics.

The hesitation seems to have disappeared now, and not without reasons. Vijay, according to the sources, had been reluctant to enter politics before the previous assembly election (2021) as he strongly felt there was no political vacuum to cash in on by a newcomer. Both the DMK and AIADMK had put up a strong fight in the 2021 election. The AIADMK, despite losing the election, remained a powerful entity under the twin leadership of E.K. Palaniswami and O. Panneerselvam.

However, the situation has changed over the last two years with the divide within the AIADMK growing wider. No other Opposition party, including actor-turned-politician Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has gained strength from the perceived weakening of the AIADMK. Could this have indicated to Vijay and his think-tank a political opportunity?

Last year, Vijay tested the waters by allowing some members of his fan club to contest the rural local body elections. They won in over 100 seats. The All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam has recently started a massive membership drive.

Some political analysts question Vijay’s chances in Tamil Nadu politics and point out that not every actor who took such a step was successful. Vijay and his fans, though, may disagree. If Vijay indeed takes the political plunge, it will undoubtedly cause a buzz but will also be a path full of challenges, hard work and perseverance.

[razorblogz]

ED raids Tamil Nadu electricity minister Senthil Balaji's residence

The Supreme Court had last month allowed police and ED to probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio.

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is carrying out searches at the premises of V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu minister for electricity, prohibition and excise in Chennai and Karur from this morning. The ED team is also raiding the minister's brother's house in Karur.

The Supreme Court had last month allowed police and ED to probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio.

Senthil Balaji was the transport minister in the AIADMK government, led by the late J Jayalalithaa, during the period 2011-15. There were complaints against him, in which it was alleged he had received huge amounts as bribes from various persons for appointing them as drivers and conductors in the transport corporations.

In connection with these allegations, three FIRs were registered against him which culminated in charge sheets filed against him and those charge sheets were now pending before a special court for the trial of criminal cases relating to MPs and MLAs.

Since the charge sheets disclosed the commission of a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED registered the present case against Senthil Balaji and others in July 2021 and took up the investigation.

The searches also come in the wake of Home Minister Amit Shah visiting the city recently and controversy erupted over the blackout in the area which the minister claimed was accidental.

Recently, The Income Tax department conducted raids across Tamil Nadu in around 40 locations at various Government contractors' residences and offices who have alleged connections with Minister Senthil Balaji.

During the searches, supporters of Balaji allegedly created a ruckus and even vandalised a car belonging to the Income Tax (I-T) department and manhandled officials of the department who launched coordinated searches in places across Tamil Nadu linked to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister.

This is the second time sleuths of a central agency have entered the state secretariat for searches.

In 2016, when O Panneerselvam was the chief minister of the state after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, Income tax Department officials conducted searches in the office of the then Chief Secretary P Ramamohana Rao.

The Supreme Court had last month allowed a police and ED probe into an alleged cash-for-jobs scam against Balaji, who also holds the Prohibition and Excise portfolio.

[suchananewsblog]

Noted Tamil actor Mayilsamy dies, condolences pour in

Chennai: Condolences began pouring in from all quarters of the society for renowned Tamil actor Mayilsamy, who died here early on Sunday. The 57-year-old comedian suffered a heart attack in the small hours of Sunday, South Indian Artistes’ Association said. Political leaders including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, MNM Chief Kamal Haasan, deposed AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam and Telangana…

[newssy]

AIADMK Factions Initiate Discussion Over Candidate for Erode East By-poll

Last Updated: February 04, 2023, 14:55 IST (R-L) AIADMK leaders Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) and O Panneerselvam (OPS). (File Pic/News18) The supporters of former Chief Minister K Palaniswami are confident of the council recommending the choice of former lawmaker K S Thennarasu, already announced, as they are numerically strong. The rival faction, under another former Chief Minister O…

[762175]

BJP to hold “institution” over individual in AIADMK faction fight

C. T. Ravi. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu BJP general secretary in-charge for Tamil Nadu C. T. Ravi described his and the party’s Tamil Nadu unit chief K. Annamalai’s visits to leaders of both the factions of the AIADMK, former Chief Ministers O. Panneerselvam and Edapaddi K. Palaniswamy as an “effort” to unite the factions, but that the party would prioritise “institution” over individuals if…

[gbwhtspro]

Annamalai meets AIADMK leaders OPS, EPS at their residences amid speculations of contesting Erode bypolls

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], February 3 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai on Friday called upon the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders O. Panneerselvam (OPS) and Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), hours before announcing the party’s stand on the upcoming Erode by-polls in the state. Annamalai and the BJP’s national General Secretary CT Ravi met the AIADMK…

[rnewspost]

‘Don’t live like EPS or OPS’: Udhayanidhi Stalin’s jibe while wishing newly wed couple

Udhayanidhi Stalin, while speaking at a wedding event, advised the newlywed couple to not live like Edappadi Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam. This came after both EPS’ and OPS’ teams went to the Tamil Nadu BJP HQ to meet Annamalai. Chennai,UPDATED: Jan 23, 2023 15:30 IST Udhayanidhi Stalin mocked EPS’ and OPS’ teams for waiting at the state BJP HQ to meet Annamalai. By Pramod Madhav: Tamil…

[nityanewsnation]

On Jayalalithaa's Sixth Death Anniversary, Rival AIADMK Leaders Pay Tribute Separately

On Jayalalithaa’s Sixth Death Anniversary, Rival AIADMK Leaders Pay Tribute Separately

Late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was remembered across the state on Monday on her sixth death anniversary, with rival AIADMK leaders K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam paying tributes separately. Scores of party workers and supporters, many clad in black attire, turned up at the late leader’s memorial at the Marina here. Palaniswami, AIADMK interim general secretary, led scores of…

[rudrjobdesk]

AIADMK General Council meet: चेन्नई में अन्नाद्रमुक मुख्यालय के बाहर झड़प, कुछ लोगों के घायल होने की सूचना

AIADMK General Council meet: चेन्नई में अन्नाद्रमुक मुख्यालय के बाहर झड़प, कुछ लोगों के घायल होने की सूचना

Image Source : ANI AIADMK General Council Meeting Highlights अन्नाद्रमुक मुख्यालय के बाहर संदिग्ध अन्नाद्रमुक कार्यकर्ताओं के दो समूह आपस में भिड़ गए कुछ लोगों के घायल होने की सूचना है कुछ लोगों को जबरन पार्टी कार्यालय के दरवाजे तोड़कर घुसते देखा गया AIADMK General Council meet: मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय ने सोमवार को तमिलनाडु के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और अन्नाद्रमुक नेता ओ पनीरसेल्वम द्वारा दायर याचिका…

[netbreakingnews9]

Sasikala to be taken again into AIADMK? Panneerselvam, Palaniswami to make a decision quickly

Sasikala to be taken again into AIADMK? Panneerselvam, Palaniswami to make a decision quickly

Chennai: AIADMK Leader Coordinator O Panneerselvam and Coordinator Edappadi Okay. Palaniswami can be assembly quickly to kind out the problem of the re-entry of former period in-between common secretary of the birthday party VK Sasikala into the birthday party. On Wednesday, the Theni district committee of the birthday party had handed a solution pointing out that each Sasikala and her nephew and…

[currentmediasstuff]

Criminal revision case: Madras HC directs issuing notice to former CM Panneerselvam, his kin

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption said Paneerselvam had amassed wealth in his name and in the names of his relatives which was 374 per cent times disproportionate to his income.

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Thursday ordered issuing notice to deposed AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam and his relatives on a criminal revision case initiated on its own, relating to their discharge in a disproportionate wealth case by a trial court in 2012.

The judge said, “This is a case where a political personage has manoeuvred the DVAC, the State government and the court to ensure that the trial against him was derailed.”

Invoking his powers under section 397 of Cr.P.C, Justice N Anand Venkatesh initiated on his own (suo-motu), the criminal revision case.

The court directed Paneerselvam, his wife Vijayalakshmi (since deceased), his son Ravindranathkumar, his brothers O Raja and O Balamurugan and their wives to remain present before the court for hearing on September 27, 2023.

The court also ordered issuing a notice to the State government, returnable by September 27.

The judge directed the Registry to place a copy of his order before the Chief Justice for information.

The case of the prosecution — — Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) — — was that Paneerselvam had amassed wealth in his name and in the names of his relatives, which was 374 per cent times disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as CM for four months and subsequently as Revenue Minister between the period from 2001 to 2006.

Narrating the sequence of events and pointing out the flaws in the procedure followed by the prosecution and the trial court, the judge said it once again reveals a calculated attempt by those at the helm of political power to distort and subvert the course of criminal justice.

“To recapitulate, there are several disturbing features in this case. First, it is not known how a petition for further investigation under section 173 (8) Cr.P.C was entertained by the Special Court at the behest of the accused. Secondly, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Theni, committed a manifest illegality in passing orders allowing the petition on October 4, 2011 knowing fully well that she had no jurisdiction to hear the case in view of G.O dated May 3, 2011 constituting the Special Court at Madurai. Thirdly, the DVAC, for obvious reasons, did not challenge the order directing further investigation since by 2011 Paneerselvam had spun back to power in the State,” he said.

Further, the DVAC quickly acted on the “illegal order” of further investigation and prepared a report tailored to suit the political masters and also obtained an opinion from the Public Prosecutor and the Advocate General and then presented it to the Speaker.

The Assembly Speaker later passed an order giving no reason whatsoever claiming no offence had been disclosed against Paneerselvam and his family.

“The Speaker, in other words, decided to bury the doctrine of separation of powers in the precincts of St. Mary Church by playing the role of the Special Court sitting in the legislative chamber at Fort St. George (the seat of power in TN)). Sixthly, the government “directs” the DVAC to file the report before the Special Court which states that the earlier final report had been wiped out,” the judge added.

Later, the Additional Public Prosecutor filed a petition and stated the cognisance taken on the original charge sheet had become infructuous.

“And finally, the CJM, Sivagangai, accepts the petition for withdrawal and allows the accused to go scot-free. On account of the collective collaboration of all the aforesaid political and judicial personages the one and only final report under section 173 (2) Cr.P.C against Paneerselvam and his family, which took nearly 3 years to complete, with 272 witnesses statements 235 documents, was consigned to the dustbin of judicial history,” the judge added.

The court said given these admitted facts the question that now arises is whether a prima facie case has been made out to issue notice to the accused to suo motu revise and set aside the order of the Sivaganga court.

“The court is not obvious of the fact that 10 years have rolled by since the order of the CJM, Sivaganga. The facts catalogued in Para 25 are shocking and disturbing. They disclose a grave illegality at every stage which shows a well-orchestrated plan. This is a case where a political personage has manoeuvred the DVAC, the State government and the court to ensure that the trial against him was derailed,” the judge added.

It is a settled rule in criminal law that a mere delay is no ground to throw away a criminal case without any specific bar of limitation and citing an order of the Supreme Court, the judge said no rule of limitation can be put against the High Court in exercising its suo motu powers of revision.

“In view of the above discussion, this court finds that there are prima facie materials to exercise power under section 397 and 401 Cr.P.C and Article 227 of the Constitution of India”, the judge added and gave the above directives.

In his order, the judge observed that in two earlier cases, the court noticed a pattern of the DVAC launching prosecutions under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) against (then) opposition MLAs, which later culminated in charge sheets before the Special Court, Srivilliputhur.

Upon a change of government, the opposition MLAs found themselves in the saddle as Cabinet Ministers.

Realising that the winds had changed direction, the DVAC quickly intimated to the Special Court of their intention to conduct further investigation.

Under the guise of further investigation, the conclusions arrived at in the earlier final report were then clinically wiped out under the guise of filing a “final closure report”.

These final closure reports were then presented to the Special Court as a fait accompli to secure the discharge of the accused, the judge added.

He was apparently referring to DMK ministers Thangam Thennarasu and KKSSR Ramachandran, against whom the court has initiated on its own, similar revision cases following their acquittal in a local court in wealth cases earlier.

The judge further observed that prima facie, this court found this to be a well-settled modus operandi to short-circuit corruption cases once the accused had come to political power in the State.

“As a judge in charge of MP/MLA cases in this State, this court has a constitutional duty to ensure that the streams of criminal justice are kept pure and unsullied”, the judge added.

He further observed that when a political party comes to power in Tamil Nadu, the DVAC “swoops down” on the opposition and clamps cases of corruption.

However, no prosecution for corruption ends in five years which is the life span of an elected government in the State.

“Invariably, the opposition is voted back to power and the DVAC, like the puppets in The Muppets show, will have to perforce sing a different tune in tandem with its political masters,” the judge added.

[newssy]

BJP Takes Up Peacemaker Role, Pitches for AIADMK Unity

Last Updated: February 03, 2023, 14:22 IST Both the AIADMK and Panneerselvam have announced their nominees for the byelection (Representational image: Shutterstock) Avoiding the question of supporting the AIADMK or the deposed leader O Panneerselvam, the BJP national general secretary and in-charge for Tamil Nadu, C T Ravi told reporters here that he met the AIADMK’s interim chief K Palaniswami…