Ballari: Former Chairperson of the Legislative Council N Thippanna (97) passed away at his home in the city on Friday morning.

He is survived by a son. Family sources have said that Thippanna’s funeral rites will be held in his native place, Thuravinoor of Chitradurga district, on Saturday.

The veteran politician had served as a lawyer for many years before entering politics. A four-time MLC, he had also been the Leader of Opposition in the Council and the Chairperson for a short period.

After contesting and losing the Lok Sabha elections from Ballari with the JD(S) ticket, Thippanna joined the JDU. He also served as President of the JD(S) Karnataka unit after the JDU was merged into the JD(S).

In addition, he held the post of the state president of the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha in 2012.

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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.