Davanagere Cong rebel candidate Sadiq Pailwan refuses to withdraw papers for by-poll
Davanagere: The efforts of the Congress leaders on Thursday to pacify Sadiq Pailwan, who has filed his nomination papers for the by-poll to the Davanagere (South) Assembly constituency, failed as the rebellion within the party for poll tickets continues.
In addition, Congress party leaders have expressed worry as the deadline to withdraw nomination papers expired on Thursday afternoon but Pailwan did not bend in spite of their reportedly best efforts to prevent division of the party.
The deadline to withdraw the nomination papers was 3 pm. It may also be noted that the leaders who held a confidential meeting in Davanagere, Chief Whip of the Congress party in the Council Salim Ahmed and MLA Rizwan Arshad, arrived in Davanagere only 2:45 pm.
Hundreds of supporters of Pailwan gathered outside his houses and shouted slogans against the leaders, demanding that they ‘go back’.
While the Congress leaders were hopeful of things turning for the better for the party, Pailwan’s supporters pressured him not to withdraw his nomination papers ‘at any cost’. As the supporters thronged the candidate, the leaders were forced to meet him inside his house.
The meeting, however, lasted only five minutes, with the leaders stating before reporters that Pailwan could not withdraw his papers due to shortage of time. They added that Pailwan was still a member of the Congress and would get suitable position in the party soon.
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
