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#Congress faces internal dissent in #TamilNadu: #Jothimani flags candidate selection concerns; #Selvaperunthagai to step down after polls Congress MP Jothimani on Friday expressed mixed reactions to the party’s candidate list for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, welcoming the renomination of 12 sitting MLAs while voicing strong concerns over the overall selection process. In a statement, she said she understood the “anguish and anger” among party workers, alleging that several candidates had been finalised in advance and constituencies secured accordingly. She noted that many long-serving party members with grassroots experience, public influence, and electoral prospects had been denied opportunities, while some relatively new entrants without field experience were given tickets. Jothimani also flagged concerns over social representation, particularly in the Kongu region. She said the Congress had failed to adequately represent the Kongu Vellalar Gounder community, which holds significant influence across 38 constituencies in western Tamil Nadu. She further pointed out that the Arundhathiyar community, despite being a marginalised group, had not been given representation, even though the party had secured six reserved constituencies out of 28 seats. She criticised the limited representation of women, noting that only two female candidates had been fielded, and said the choices ran contrary to the Congress party’s stated commitment to social justice and the political stand of leader Rahul Gandhi. The MP also took aim at the state leadership, alleging a lack of concern for the party’s future in Tamil Nadu, the prevailing political climate, and the sentiments of grassroots workers. She asserted that party cadres have the democratic right to reject the list. Jothimani said efforts were made to prevent what she described as a “disastrous” outcome, but those attempts were unsuccessful. However, she maintained that she had represented the true sentiments of party workers and had not abandoned them. Reflecting on her three decades in the Congress, she said this was the first time she felt “alienated” despite having stood by the party through challenging times. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai has announced that he will step down from his post after the election results are declared. Speaking to reporters, he said he would resign “with satisfaction” after the polls and would thereafter focus entirely on serving the people of Sriperumbudur constituency. His announcement has added a fresh layer of controversy within the party, which is already witnessing internal dissent over candidate selection ahead of the Assembly elections. Jothimani added that she would speak in detail on the issue after the completion of voting, and meanwhile extended her support and solidarity to Congress workers in Tamil Nadu, who, she noted, have upheld the party’s flag with pride despite being out of power in the state for nearly six decades.

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In #Kerala,@BJP4India's campaign was meant to be a carefully scripted push for expansion. Instead, it’s been derailed by a chain of controversies—leaving the party reacting, not leading. @dvk_dileep writes, thesouthfirst.com/kerala/bjps-ke…

#Kerala : #PinarayiVijayan hits back, cites Kerala’s social gains in swipe at #RevanthReddy A sharp political exchange has erupted between Kerala CM #PinarayiVijayan and Telangana CM #ARevanthReddy, adding fresh heat to the already charged political climate. The row began after Revanth Reddy alleged a “secret understanding” between the BJP, RSS and the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala. Drawing a direct line between rivals, he claimed there was little difference between Vijayan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging Kerala voters to see a vote for the LDF as one that ultimately benefits the BJP at the Centre. Vijayan did not let that pass quietly. In a pointed Facebook post, he took a swipe at the Telangana Chief Minister, accusing him of attempting to lecture Kerala while ignoring issues back home. There was a biting edge to his remarks—he suggested Revanth Reddy seemed unaware of Kerala’s social indicators and was choosing to overlook his own state’s shortcomings. Citing figures from NITI Aayog, Vijayan underscored Kerala’s top position in the Sustainable Development Index for 2023–24, contrasting it with Telangana’s sixth rank. He also highlighted Kerala’s low poverty rate and improvements in literacy and infant mortality, presenting them as evidence of sustained governance outcomes. The Kerala Chief Minister went further, dismissing allegations of any alignment with the BJP and turning the attack back on the Congress. He accused it of failing to challenge central policies that, he argued, strain Kerala economically, branding it the “real B-team” of the BJP.

#Kerala : #BJP candidate sparks row with '#lovejihad' claim, slams government With the Assembly elections drawing closer, a sharp political flashpoint has emerged in #Vattiyoorkavu, where NDA candidate and former DGP #RSreelekha has levelled sweeping allegations against the state government, questioning both its priorities and its commitment to women’s safety. Speaking during her programme ‘Brunch with Sreelekha’ and later at a closed-door event in Sasthamangalam, Sreelekha did not hold back. Her remarks cut across governance, policing, and ideology—delivered in a tone that was as personal as it was political. She painted a grim picture of law and order, claiming that crimes against women have surged dramatically in recent years. According to her, the period between 2021 and 2026 has seen a fivefold increase. “This is not accidental,” she said, suggesting a deeper societal shift where, in her words, “there is a mindset that such crimes are acceptable.” Her criticism went beyond statistics. Drawing from personal experience, Sreelekha spoke of a recent incident where she felt abandoned by the very system she once served. Despite reaching out for help—including directly contacting a minister’s wife—she alleged that no meaningful intervention followed. The claim was meant to underline what she described as political interference crippling police functioning. “If something happens to me, I will have to face it alone,” she remarked, adding that even senior officers cannot act independently without political clearance. That, she argued, has weakened the system to a point where even those within it feel exposed. One of her more contentious assertions revolved around the idea of “love jihad,” a term she insisted reflects a reality the government has chosen to ignore. She accused the administration of turning a blind eye to what she called “brutal crimes,” linking it to what she described as a lack of faith among those in power. The comment, delivered bluntly, has already stirred debate. Sreelekha also referenced an incident involving a minister’s wife, claiming that even an emergency call to 112 did not result in timely assistance. Her speech repeatedly circled back to one central claim: that political considerations have overtaken public safety. “Here, politics comes at a price—and nothing stands above it,” she said, framing women’s insecurity as a direct outcome of that imbalance. Positioning herself as an alternative, Sreelekha leaned on her three decades in the police service. She promised that, if elected as MLA from Vattiyoorkavu, she would push for structural changes aimed at strengthening protections for women. Experience, she suggested, is what separates intent from action. She also drew contrasts at the national level, invoking the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and citing what she called decisive interventions that upheld women’s dignity. Kerala, she implied, lacks that same clarity of purpose.

Illegal bakery busted in Hyderabad, spurious food worth ₹2.77 lakh seized An illegal bakery unit operating under unhygienic conditions was busted by police in Hyderabad’s Tappachabutra area. The accused, Syed Khadeer, was arrested for running the unit without mandatory licences, including food safety and fire compliance. Officials seized raw materials, equipment and finished products worth ₹2.77 lakh, including maida, cake powder, oil, sugar and bread. Authorities warned that such products pose serious health risks as they were supplied to local kirana stores, cafés and hotels. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to trace the distribution network. youtube.com/shorts/O65IoRp…

#TamilNadu: The #Congress party has announced its list of candidates for the upcoming 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with the Central Election Committee finalising nominees across multiple constituencies in the state. Among the key candidates, Durai Chandrasekar has been fielded from Ponneri (SC), while JMH Aassan Maulaana will contest from Velachery. Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. Selvaperunthagai has been nominated from Sriperumbudur (SC), and A.M. Munirathinam from Sholingur. In western Tamil Nadu, Dr. A. Chella Kumar will contest from Krishnagiri, GKM Tamil Kumaran from Pennagaram, and Gopinath Palaniyappan from Erode (East). In the Nilgiris, B. Ramachandran has been named for Udhagamandalam. The party has also announced candidates for key constituencies in Coimbatore, with K.P. Surya Prakash in Kavundampalayam and V. Shrinithi Naidu in Singanallur. In the delta region, M. Vichu Lenin Prasath will contest from Mayiladuthurai, while A.S. Chandrasekaran has been named for Cuddalore. Jamal Yunus Mohammed will be the party’s candidate in Thuraiyur (SC). Further south, the party has fielded T. Rama Chandhiran in Aranthangi, S. Mangudi in Karaikudi, T. Saravana Kumar in Usilampatti, and Ganesan Ashokan in Sivakasi. Rama Karumanickam will contest from Tiruvadana, while S. Oorvashi Amirtharaj has been nominated from Srivaikuntam. In Tirunelveli region, Sangai Ganeshan will contest from Sankarankovil (SC), V.P. Durai from Ambasamudram, and Ruby Manoharan from Nanguneri. In Kanyakumari district, Dr. Tharagai Cuthbert (Colachel), T.T. Praveen (Vilavancode), and Adv. S. Rajesh Kumar (Killiyoor) have been named as candidates.

Make or mar: SDPI’s game in Kerala Assembly elections 2026 thesouthfirst.com/kerala/make-or…

#TamilNadu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (#BJP) in Tamil Nadu has released its candidate list for the 2026 Assembly elections after a prolonged delay. Notably, the name of K. Annamalai, which was widely anticipated, does not feature in the list. Former Governor and senior BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan will contest from the Mylapore constituency. State BJP president Nainar Nagendran has been fielded from Sattur. Vijayadharani, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress, has been allotted the Vilavancode constituency. Sitting MLA Vanathi Srinivasan will contest again from Coimbatore North. Union Minister of State L. Murugan has been given the Avinashi constituency. Among those who won in the previous Assembly elections, Nainar Nagendran, M. R. Gandhi, and Vanathi Srinivasan have been renominated and given tickets again. However, Saraswathi, who had won from the Modakkurichi constituency, has not been allotted a ticket this time. In this election, the BJP is contesting as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the #AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, and has been allocated 27 constituencies.

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Telangana High Court allows Navy’s Vikarabad VLF station, to monitor afforestation thesouthfirst.com/telangana/tela…

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