Officials search DMK Leader Kanimozhi's residence in TN
Chennai/New Delhi, Apr 16: Ahead of the April 18 Lok Sabha polls, election officials Tuesday held searches at the residence of DMK leader Kanimozhi in Tuticorin in south Tamil Nadu from where she is contesting.
Official sources indicated that the searches were held following "some inputs," but they did not elaborate.
Income Tax officials were also "assisting," the local poll officials, they told PTI.
The outcome of the searches were not known immediately.
Following information about the searches, a large number of DMK workers gathered in front of Kanimozhi's house expressing solidarity.
DMK president M K Stalin in a statement at Chennai said the raids were an outcome of "fear of a damning defeat," for BJP's candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan in Tuticorin.
She is also the BJP's State unit president.
"This is murder of democracy," Stalin said and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has buried the autonomous feature of the Election Commission through such actions.
The DMK chief said his party would work towards ushering in reforms in the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners and State Chief Electoral Officer.
"If needed, we will not hesitate to approach the Supreme Court," he said.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
