TTVK is accusing the Dravidian parties of once again starting negotiations to topple the government. Madurai Central constituency MLA Mather Badrudeen alias Mustafa had alleged, “They held talks with us, asking us to turn against TTVK.” Before him, the talks with Uthangarai MLA Ilayaraja escalated into a case and an arrest. Srivaikuntam MLA Saravanan also publicly said that talks were held with him.
However, it has reportedly come to the attention of key functionaries that even though talks were held with MLAs from several constituencies, including Tiruvallur and Poonamallee, they have been keeping quiet without informing the party leadership. Those close to the Chief Minister, who learned of these matters through intelligence sources, are said to be closely monitoring the activities of the concerned MLAs.
Numerous complaints are reportedly piling up against the popular YouTuber who is a key figure in the Naam Tamilar Katchi. “In the clash between the TVK and the DMK, that YouTuber has been speaking continuously in support of the DMK. Why should we speak in support of those who went to jail in a corruption case?” complaints are being sent to NTK chief coordinator Seeman on WhatsApp, it is said.
On the other hand, a section within the party is unhappy that a YouTuber is becoming the face of the party, and internal rifts are emerging. Seeman, who took note of everything, reportedly ended it with just one word: “Enough.” He is said to have indirectly conveyed that “speaking against TVK and criticizing Vijay is enough.” As a result, the DMK-opposition faction leaders within NTK are reportedly deeply dissatisfied.
As we had pointed out that no one had been appointed to the Tambaram Pallikaranai Deputy Commissioner post... immediately, Eeswaran, who had been the Avadi Traffic Deputy Commissioner, was appointed to that post.
He is reportedly a relative of an AIADMK MP. Even so, trusting Eshwaran, a senior intelligence official reportedly gave the green signal for his posting there. Ragupathi, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner in Schoolkaranai, has been transferred to Karur.
It is said that Ragupathi was appointed there with the Karur by-election in mind. Hari Kiran Prasad has been appointed as the SP of Ramanathapuram district. Behind the repeated assignment of powerful posts to Hari Kiran Prasad, who has already been caught in controversies and is frequently transferred, there is reportedly a TVK power-center lobby, and so the intelligence department is also keeping quiet.
During the Diwali festival, it is customary in Dravidian parties for district secretaries and ministers to give Diwali gifts to local administrators. With the DMK having lost power and the AIADMK having lost opposition status, while they completely avoided Diwali celebrations, the dignitaries of TVK seem to have celebrated in a grand style, as if “every day is Karthigai at our house.” It is said they distributed new clothes, crackers, and sweets to hundreds of people, including party functionaries and the public.
This issue has sparked a major controversy within the party itself. “Where did the money come from for those who brand themselves as not engaging in collections, not collecting party funds, and so on?” many MLAs have frowned. With tensions and clashes already brewing between the ministers in charge and the MLAs, some MLAs are now raising a fresh issue, asking, “Are only the honorable ones making money...?”
Manchester City Council is implementing an unprecedented new kind of lottery tender in Tamil Nadu. It is common practice to call in companies that have submitted a single bid, discuss the matter, and, if no solution is reached in negotiations, award the contract by lottery. But Manchester City Council is said to have called in companies that had bid for four different jobs, discussed with them, and awarded the tender for each job by lottery.
A company that has participated in one draw is apparently not allowed to take part in another. “What kind of rigged tender is this... what difference is there between this draw and companies concerned talking among themselves and dividing up the work? Is this the kind of mess happening in the Chief Minister’s department?” contractors lament. When asked, officials reportedly make excuses, saying, “No one should feel hurt, right...”