Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu will become a regressive state if the "Sanghi group" and the AIADMK, "which is shielding it", win the April 23 Assembly election, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin claimed on Wednesday.

Using the word "Sanghi" in obvious reference to the BJP, the deputy chief minister also called upon people to reject the AIADMK-led NDA in the polls lest the state become regressive.

He argued that the ensuing election was very crucial in defeating the NDA and voting the DMK to power for more development in the state.

"This would also defeat the intentions of a hostile government in Delhi that is disinclined to provide funds to Tamil Nadu," he alleged.

Campaigning for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance candidates in Avadi and Tiruttani in neighbouring Tiruvallur district, the DMK youth wing leader told party members, "The countdown for polls has begun. We have only 15 days left. Take up door campaign, explain DMK’s programmes and schemes to people and ensure the DMK registers a resounding win."

Garnering votes for DMK candidate V G Rajendran in Tiruvallur, Udhayanidhi urged the party members to strive hard and ensure the combine won over 200 seats and thereby "create history to protect Tamil Nadu from being defeated by the Delhi team."

"The people should help form the Dravidian model government again for growth. Our Chief Minister M K Stalin will provide greater development in every constituency across the state," he said.

Despite being a candidate seeking reelection from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency, he has been hectically campaigning throughout the state with the aim of DMK setting a record by forming the government under Stalin for the second consecutive term, he said.

"So, ensure a big victory by voting for the 'Rising Sun' symbol of the DMK," he appealed.

Udhayanidhi accused the Union government of neglecting Tamil Nadu and omitting it from the Union budget.

He claimed that Stalin, who had unveiled development plans for the next five years, was certain to become CM again.

"We have given numerous poll promises, including hiking the monthly grant for women heads of families to Rs 2,000, assured to create jobs for 50 lakh youth, provide laptops to 35 lakh students in five years," he said garnering votes for the party candidate Karthik Mohan in Villivakkam.

He urged the party members to ensure the rival candidates were made to lose their election deposit.

Earlier, speaking at Avadi in support of S M Nasar, Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Minister, who has been fielded from Avadi Assembly constituency, Udhayanidhi highlighted Nasar's remarkable contribution and role in local development, including critical infrastructure like roads, storm drains, health centers, municipality buildings, and the metro rail extension.

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Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.

AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.

“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.

He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.

“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.

According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.

In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.

AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.