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AIADMK reunification looms on TN horizon

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AIADMK reunification looms on TN horizon

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]But it is too early to say that the proposal can go down without hiccups, and another split won’t happen a few months or years down the line

By Vikram Kilpady

The perils of being closely associated with someone as brazen with corruption as TTV Dinakaran is said to be the reason why the VK Sasikala-led faction of the new grand old party that MG Ramachandran and the J Jayalalithaa built is inching closer to the other faction headed by master Amma loyalist and former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Notice no one is saying they want to leave the party and consolidate what they have because Sasikala has been jailed in Parappana Agrahara central prison in Bangalore after being held guilty of corruption. Or for that matter Jayalalithaa.

The leadership vacuum after Jayalalithaa which was usurped by the Sasikala-led faction seems to have been short-lived. The spectacle of Chinnamma lording over party and Tamil Nadu led to the sudden change of mind that O Panneerselvam had on a late Tuesday night. He landed up at the Amma Samadhi along the Marina, but without an Ouija board to communicate with the late supremo. OPS didn’t need the Ouija board since Jayalalithaa’s spirit seemed to have told him to go for broke and pitch his own tent. His detractors say OPS had a lot of WhatsApp chats with certain powerful people in New Delhi and had transferred loyalties with a remote control to that. It’s not OPS who rules Tamil Nadu now, it’s another PS but of the Sasikala camp. His name is Edapaddi Palaniswami, therefore EPS as opposed to OPS. Now, the EPS-led camp wants to be rid of Sasikala and the rest of the Mannargudi mafia in one go. They can do this by uniting themselves with the OPS wing.

Battles for succession make for gory sights, the winner takes all. Be it the one between the much-praised Dara Shikoh and the much-maligned Aurangzeb or the one that put M Karunanidhi at the head of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) after CN Annadurai’s demise. The silver-tongued VR Nedunchezhiyan, said to be Anna’s chosen successor, was out-manoeuvred by the quick-thinking, focused Karunanidhi. Similarly, MG Ramachandran (popular as MGR) broke away when Karunanidhi began ignoring him after becoming jealous of the actor’s ability to rouse the crowds with his workman Tamil.

The two-pronged Dravidian political establishment of the last 40-odd years is now shaped like a trident with the DMK and the two AIADMK factions. Of course, there are other offshoots like the Marumalarchi DMK of Vaiko being the most prominent, now left as the rump that conveniently coalesces like putty to fill spaces in alliances of the NDA kind.

It makes great sense for the AIADMK wings to swallow their differences by remembering the good times they had prostrating full-on sashtanga namaskaar at Jayalalithaa’s feet and wondering whether their ageing knees can take the torture again for Sasikala. But will they or won’t they is best left to them. Questions also populate that board: Will OPS allow EPS to be CM? Who will be the party general secretary and such?

These are decisions they have the leisure to take before Sasikala, who took an extremely cinematic 3-slap vow at the Jayalalithaa Samadhi before leaving for incarceration in Bangalore, returns or her nephew TTV Dinakaran gets time from the Delhi Police chasing him in the alleged case to bribe an Election Commission of India official for the now-frozen two leaves symbol. But not for too long though.

If they remain separate entities, they are likely to take the path of Vaiko and become the BJP’s buddy, or even worse, be swallowed by the saffron party that could do with some hardcore cadres in the state.

Unlike the much-vaunted bid to forge unity among the various communist parties split on nuances of interpretation and make-believe, the AIADMK factions have it easier.

Indeed, AIADMK leaders have an enormous responsibility on their shoulders right now, to the people of the state, especially the farmers who are battling a second successive drought year. Their protests in New Delhi have been on for a month at Jantar Mantar but the only time they grabbed eyeballs is when they stripped naked outside the PMO after they were not allowed to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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