TN assembly polls: Battle lines drawn, AIADMK switches to campaign mode
Chennai (PTI): With a month to go for Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, the battle lines are clearly drawn and the AIADMK camp is making apparent efforts to get a headstart ahead of the ruling DMK bloc by quickly finalising the seat-sharing deal, identifying constituencies for itself and allies and switching on to the campaign mode.
The Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK, which leads the NDA in Tamil Nadu will take on the DMK in certain urban centres considered to be the ruling party's stronghold.
The assembly polls will be held on April 23 and counting of votes taken up on May 4.
Determined to win over 210 out of the 234 Assembly constituencies in the state, the AIADMK has announced that it would contest from 169 seats, leaving the rest to allies, while the DMK has readied its poll battle machinery in as many as 175 constituencies. For its part, the Stalin-led party has set a target to secure over 200 seats.
DMK has announced that 'Rising Sun' will be in fray from 175 Assembly segments, indicating it would include smaller allies that would face the polls under the ruling party's poll symbol.
The AIADMK would take on the DMK in about 13 out of the 16 constituencies in Chennai, which has been electing Chief Minister M K Stalin, his son and deputy CM Udhayanidhi, Health Minister Ma Subramanian and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P K Sekar Babu, to name the very prominent persons in the DMK.
The AIADMK has allotted three seats to its allies while retaining 13 in the city. It has also announced its first list of candidates, with Palaniswami testing his electoral fortunes once again from Edappadi in Salem district, while a number of former ministers and sitting and ex-MLAs are also in fray.
While Seeman-led Naam Tamilar Katchi is in the fray in all the constituencies, actor-politician Vijay is gearing up to announce his TVK party candidates for 234 seats in the high-stakes poll battle.
Vijay, a top cinema star with a huge fan following, is likely to hit the campaign trail this week. Only these two leaders with a film background would take on the Dravidian majors that are backed with numerous political parties, respectively, in the election.
The AIADMK-led NDA has the BJP, which will contest from 27 seats. PMK will fight from 18 seats, AMMK from 11, TMC (M) from five (on BJP's Lotus symbol). Besides, Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi will filed candidates from two seats, while Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and Puratchi Bharatham, have been allotted one seat each. In all, AIADMK has apportioned 65 seats to its allies.
The Dravidian party has retained a lion's share of seats, accounting for 169.
Palaniswami finalised the seat-sharing pact with seven political parties in two days, starting from March 23. On March 25, he announced the constituencies from where the constituents would contest and launched the campaign for the NDA from Mylapore in Chennai, where the BJP is contesting.
In the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, the Congress will enter the poll fray from 28 seats, DMDK: 10, VCK: 8, left parties: 5 each, and MDMK: 4, one seat each to SDPI, Mukkulathor Puli Padai Katchi (both parties contesting in Rising Sun symbol) and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi. The party has allotted 2 seats each to IUML, Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK).
KMDK and MMK are set to contest polls under the DMK's symbol. The MDMK will contest in the 'Rising Sun' symbol in 3 out of the 4 seats it has been given by the DMK.
The campaign is likely to intensify from next week, when the filing of nomination papers will formally commence from March 30.
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Seers like Shivakumara Swami shape soul of society, nation: President Murmu
Tumakuru (Karnataka) (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said seers like Shivakumara Swami give shape to the soul of society and the nation, and their spiritual legacy continues to nourish the country even after their physical departure.
Known as 'Trivida dasohi' for his triple sacraments -- food, shelter and education -- among his followers, Shivakumara Swami was the pontiff of the renowned Siddaganga Math. He passed away at the age of 111 on January 21, 2019.
The President emphasised that diligence, public service, and national service are interlinked, and that spirituality provides a strong and enduring foundation for both public and national service.
Addressing the 119th birth anniversary and Guruvandana of the seer at Sree Siddaganga Math here, the President said, "I believe that seers like Shri Shivakumara Swamiji give shape to the soul of our society and our nation. His physical body merged into the supreme element in the year 2019, but his legacy continues to nourish society and the country."
Murmu said that the seer's life dedicated to the service of the poor and the deprived remained a unique example of expressing spirituality through welfare activities.
"He continued to enrich humanity for many years through his spiritual activity. His life dedicated to the service of the poor and the deprived, and expressing spirituality through welfare activities, is a unique example," she said.
Praising the activities of the Math, the President said, "It is said that through this Math, arrangements for free food, accommodation, and education are made for a large number of rural children, which is highly commendable."
Emphasising that education is the key to development, she said that providing education to deprived and poor children means building the future of the country and advancing the nation's development.
"I am especially pleased to know that from primary school to higher education in engineering and management, arrangements for education have been made by the Math. For this purpose, many educational institutions have been established," she said.
She also highlighted the healthcare initiatives associated with the institution. "I have also been told that the Sri Siddaganga Hospital, established by Shri Shivakumara Swamiji, provides excellent healthcare services to the general public," the President said and added that the Math carried forward a long tradition of service and spirituality.
Referring to the ideals of 12th century social reformer Basavanna, she said, "It is a matter of great happiness that today your spiritual institution is following the ideals of Prabhu Basavanna". She said that the example of a democratic system, based on a society free of discrimination and the participation of all, was presented centuries ago by Basavanna.
Lauding Karnataka, the President said that the state presented one of the most effective examples of public service, national service, spirituality and modern progress, and congratulated the people of the state for their contribution to nation-building.
Murmu said that by walking on the path of nation-building, altruism and dedication to duty, people could truly pay tribute to Shivakumara Swami.
"On this occasion associated with his sacred memory, we will all take a pledge that we will always remain active in enhancing the glory of Karnataka Mata and Bharat Mata," she said.
On the occasion of his Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Shivakumara Swami, recalling his remarkable contributions across education, social welfare and spirituality, which have left an enduring imprint on society.
"He (Swamiji) stands in collective memory as an embodiment of compassion, humility and unwavering service to humanity. Through a lifetime dedicated to uplifting others, he demonstrated that true greatness lies in serving others," PM Modi said in a post on 'X'.
The prime minister recalled that even today, Swami's life continues to guide and inspire countless individuals to walk the path of selflessness and service.
