National
New twists, turns in AIADMK politics (Lead)
Chennai, Sep 7 (IANS) In new twists and turns in political developments in Tamil Nadu, an AIADMK MLA owing allegiance to the Dinakaran faction on Thursday defected to the Chief Minister’s camp while three others went to Dinakaran’s side when he met Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao and demanded an immediate floor test in the Assembly for the government.
S.T.K. Jakkaiyan, MLA from Cumbum, deserted the Dinakaran faction and met Speaker Dhanapal and conveyed to him that he was backing Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy since he did not want the DMK to exploit the “internal problems” of the AIADMK and bring harm to the government.
Jakkaiyan, who was one of the 19 MLAs belonging to the Dinakaran faction that had met the Governor a fortnight ago and gave a memorandum saying that the they have lost confidence in the chief minister, appeared before the Speaker on Thursday morning in response to a notice to them to show cause why they should not be disqualified under the anti-defection law for their action before the Governor.
He admitted to reporters that he was with Dinakaran some time ago because of the inner party wranglings and went to the Governor. “But now exploiting the family problems of AIADMK, the DMK was trying to bring harm to the government. We have to go by the majority view. It should not benefit the DMK. We have to resolve our problems within.”
On the other hand, the Dinakaran faction got a boost when three MLAs, who had won on AIADMK tickets and kept neutrality so far, joined him in the delegation when it called on the Governor. The three MLAs who accompanied Dinakaran were Karunas, Kalaiselvan and Rathinasabhapathi. Seven MPs also were part of the delegation.
Dinakaran told reporters later that they told the Governor that the chief minister has lost majority which has been proved by the fact that he did not have the 117 MLAs required for a simple majority when they did not attend the MLAs meeting convened by Palaniswamy two days ago.
In the present situation, the Governor should ask the chief minister to prove his majority by facing a trial of strength in the Assembly. Otherwise unhealthy practices like horse trading will flourish, Dinakaran said.
He claimed that the Governor told him that he was following developments in the state and he would “soon take a good decision”.
Asked about the Governor’s reported remarks to an opposition delegation some days ago that the ball was not in his court because it was an internal affair of the AIADMK, Dinakaran said the Governor has now changed his stance. “It is not an internal matter. I will take a good decision soon. I will do my duty,” he quoted the Governor has saying.
When queried whether there was any time frame given by the Governor, Dinakaran said the Governor promised them he would take a decision soon but it would not be proper for him to comment on it any further.
Asked to comment on reports that the Palaniswamy-O Panneerselvam combine was running the government with the backing of the BJP-led Central government, Dinakaran said he cannot comment on the BJP without any confirmation.
“When our own people have become betrayers, I cannot blame others,” he said.
Asked about the defection of Jakkaiyan from his camp, Dinakaran said he was anticipating this because he was asking me for the position of Headquarters Secretary and a minister’s post. “One MLA may go but there are sleeper cells among the MLAs on the other side who would back him at the time of reckoning.”
He said Jakkaiyan told him on Wednesday night that he was getting threat calls and inducements like minister’s post.
Dinakaran claimed that the present AIADMK government was the object of hate among the people of the state and it was in evidence during the protests against the NEET exam in the wake of the suicide by medical aspirant Anitha last week.
There was so much anger against the government that the chief minister and the deputy chief minister dared not go to Ariyalur near Tiruchirappalli where the body of Anitha was lying. “The fact that Anitha’s father, a poor labourer, refused to take government’s aid shows the anger against the government,” he claimed.
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly with an effective strength of 233, the number of MLAs against the government now
stood at 119. This includes 89 of DMK and 9 of its allies Congress and Muslim League. The Dinakaran camp claims the support of at least 21 MLAs.
–IANS
vsc/bg
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.