DMK to skip INDIA bloc meet on CEC row, cites Congress-TVK alliance in Tamil Nadu
This special broadcast covers key political developments across southern India and national politics. The DMK has announced it will skip the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, distancing itself following the Congress party's alignment with Chief Minister Vijay's TVK in Tamil Nadu. While demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation over the SIR process, the DMK has also approached the Madras High Court seeking an SIT probe involving Chief Minister Vijay. Ahead of state by-elections, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami has targeted Chief Minister Vijay, alongside opposition scrutiny over law and order following murders in Chennai. In Pattinampakkam, local fisherfolk continue demonstrations against the Tamil Nadu government's proposed 1,200 crore rupee secretariat complex near Marina Beach, citing threats to coastal livelihoods. Additionally, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather speaks at the India Today Conclave South in Kochi on grassroots politics, the Constitution, women's reservation, delimitation, and media accountability.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has confirmed it will skip the upcoming INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi, signaling political friction following the Congress party's post-poll alignment with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu. The development coincides with opposition demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls following a Congress Working Committee resolution. In Tamil Nadu, political disputes continue over attacks on Chief Minister Vijay alongside fisherfolk protests in Chennai's Pattinampakkam opposing a twelve hundred crore rupee secretariat project. Meanwhile, speaking at the India Today Conclave South in Kochi, Congress Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Kerala Jebi Mather addressed women's representation in politics, questioned the linking of women's reservation to delimitation, and discussed Centre-state relations alongside constitutional protections.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave South in Kochi, Congress Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Jebi Mather reflected on the transformation of Indian politics, grassroots governance, and women's political empowerment. Addressing the political atmosphere, she remarked, "There is no tyranny of distance. There is tyranny of power that is happening in the country now." Mather highlighted her journey from municipal councillor and vice chairperson to Parliament, urging women to enter politics and face challenges with conviction. Discussing parliamentary representation, she insisted that the Centre must implement women's reservation immediately rather than linking it to delimitation. She emphasized that political leaders across parties have an obligation to safeguard democratic institutions, stating that the primary duty of any politician is to stand up and protect the Constitution of India. Additionally, Mather touched upon national media dynamics and countered cultural stereotypes faced by southern parliamentarians in Delhi, reiterating that shared cultural appreciation reinforces national unity.
Protests have broken out in Chennai's Pattinampakkam over the Tamil Nadu government's proposal to construct a new secretariat complex at an estimated cost of 1,200 crore rupees. Local fisherfolk expressed concerns that the project would restrict their access to the sea, affect their homes, and destroy livelihoods sustained across generations. Political parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, have raised concerns over the community being left stranded. Demonstrators have demanded justice and called for the withdrawal of the government order issued for the project near Marina Beach.
