DMK ally blames party's 'big brother' attitude, exits alliance ahead of TN polls
Chennai (PTI): Ahead of the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi on Sunday announced quitting the DMK-led SPA, with its founder T Velmurugan objecting to the ruling party's "big brother" attitude.
The decision was taken also following his party being "ignored,", Velmurugan, incumbent MLA from Panruti (Cuddalore dt) Assembly segment, told reporters here.
"We were told during seat-sharing negotiations that we will be allotted one seat for the Assembly polls. We have been raising a set of demands, including regarding social justice. We were told when other parties are not asking for any demands, why you are making such demands," Velmurugan said.
"I have been repeatedly asking the government to fulfil at least some of the demands. But the DMK has been ignoring it," he claimed.
On his further course of action, he said that his organisation would not join the NDA in Tamil Nadu and indicated that he was talking to some parties over forming an alliance.
Further, "we have been making charter of demands to the negotiation panel (of the DMK). I have been informing that there was not any problem on allocation of seats but immediately take steps to fulfil these demands," he said.
Recalling that he has been speaking about the same demands in the legislative assembly for several years, Velmurugan alleged that "the DMK-led government did not care about them."
During seat-sharing negotiations, Velmurugan claimed, the approach of the election panel of the DMK was like a "big brother".
"We were told that when political parties including Congress, Communists, and MDMK did not place any such demands, as a legislator and the representative of a small party, they did not deem it fit for us to give such demands and ask them to be fulfilled. "
"Treating us like this is not acceptable", Velmurugan added.
He accused some officials of complaining to Chief Minister MK Stalin and his ministers that he is constantly "giving trouble" to the government, Velmurugan alleged.
He questioned why the DMK government was refusing to conduct a Caste Census in the state.
"How can DMK walk the path of social justice while keeping forces against social justice by its side. When states like Odisha, Bihar conducted caste census, why the DMK did not respect my voice," he asked.
Maintaining that he has been in the DMK-led alliance for five years and successfully contested under the Dravidian party's 'Rising Sun' Symbol in 2021 elections, he expressed his gratitude to Stalin and the alliance parties who wanted him to continue in the alliance.
"In accordance with the decision taken collectively by our party's executive committee, general council, political leadership committee and based on the powers given to me, I announce that from today, Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi is withdrawing from the DMK-led alliance," he said.
DMK leads the multi-party Secular Progressive Alliance and the constituents include Congress and Left parties.
Meanwhile, responding to the party's exit from SPA, DMK General Secretary and state minister Durai Murugan said, "When someone leaves an alliance, will they say it is a good government and that is why we are leaving."
"They will only leave by saying that this regime is not good. This is just what is habitually said (by parties whenever they quit an alliance)."
Asked whether further talks may be held with Velmurugan, he said, "negotiations are not my subject. Leave me out of it."
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Mangaluru: Four-way waste segregation rolled out under new rules
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has begun implementing the revised Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, which came into effect nationwide from April 1, making four-way waste segregation mandatory for all residents and establishments.
According to Deccan Herald, under the new system, waste must be segregated into four categories before being handed over to collection vehicles:
1. Wet waste such as kitchen refuse, fruit and vegetable peels, leftover food, meat waste, flowers and leaves.
2. Dry waste including plastic materials, bottles, paper, cardboard and rubber
3. Sanitary waste comprising used sanitary pads, diapers, condoms and bandages
4. Special care or domestic hazardous waste such as used batteries, LED bulbs, tube lights, paint containers, pesticide bottles and thermometers.
MCC Commissioner Ravichandra Naik said wet and sanitary waste will be collected daily, while dry and hazardous waste will be collected once a week (Fridays) to improve efficiency in handling different waste streams.
The corporation has also introduced stricter norms for bulk waste generators, defined as establishments producing more than 100 kg of waste per day, or having a built-up area exceeding 20,000 square metres, including offices, malls, hospitals and large residential complexes, as well as units consuming over 40,000 litres of water daily, will be treated as bulk waste generators and will be subject to stricter norms.
The MCC warned that violations of segregation rules will attract penalties under the Solid Waste Management Bye-laws, 2019, and urged citizens to strictly follow the new system.
For further information, citizens have been advised to contact or visit the Health Department of the corporation during office hours, said the commissioner.
To encourage sustainable practices, the civic body has also launched an initiative recognising zero-waste weddings. Recently, Commissioner Ravichandra Naik honoured Veerendar and Suraksha for conducting an eco-friendly wedding at Rajatadri auditorium in Vamanjoor on March 30.
The MCC in its X handle said "the wedding embraced a zero waste, plastic free and eco friendly concept."
At the ceremony, no plastic bottles were used; guests were served drinks in steel tumblers. No tissue papers were distributed during the programme. Ice cream was served in cups made of arecanut sheets. The stage was decorated with flowers and eco-friendly reusable decorative materials.
Eco-Friendly Wedding: A Green Start!
— ಮಂಗಳೂರು ಮಹಾನಗರ ಪಾಲಿಕೆ | Mangaluru City Corporation (@mangalurucorp) March 31, 2026
Hon'ble Commissioner Sri Ravichandra Naik, KAS, presented an appreciation letter to the couple Suraksha-Veerendra for their noble initiative. Their wedding at Vamanjoor (30-03-2026) embraced a Zero Waste, Plastic-Free, & Eco-Friendly concept. pic.twitter.com/Rlf8piTDUN
