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Sasikala has the last laugh

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After spending night at Golden Bay Resorts, Sasikala delivers twin masterstrokes in wake of SC verdict—OPS ouster, nomination of loyalist

By Sujit Bhar

With the Supreme Court on February 14 sending chief minister aspirant Sasikala Natarajan and the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s relatives Sudhakaran and Ilavarasi to jail for four years each (they will be serving the remaining three years and six months), in the disproportionate assets case, one would have expected the path being cleared for O Panneerselvam, the acting CM.

But as it was seen, Sasikala has learnt her politics well from her friend and mentor. Sasikala will not only be in jail and pay a fine of Rs 10 crore (as would the others jailed), she will not be able to be in active politics for 10 years. This meant that if she did not act immediately after the verdict there was a huge possibility of the hawks, DMK and BJP, swooping down into troubled waters.

There was also the possibility, god forbid, of her so-called loyalist MLAs trooping over to the Panneerselvam lobby and forming government. That would have not only left her in jail, but also powerless to have any control of proceedings within the party and in government.

But not for nothing was she a close associate of Jaya for so long. She has learnt well. She decided that she would spend the night of February 13 at the Golden Bay Resorts in Kancheepuram, where her 128-odd loyalists had been interned. This was the masterstroke. If whispers are true, she had a fair idea of which way the judgement would go. 

When the two-judge bench of the Supreme Court issued the damning verdict, the “huge number of south Indian TV and general reporters present within the packed courthouse virtually ran out to make their calls and file their reports”, says Vivek Kumar Singh, correspondent for APN, speaking to India Legal, APN’s sister concern.

Most were reporters, but some certainly were relaying the news to Sasikala.

Sasikala wasted no time. Immediately after the verdict she held a meeting with AIADMK MLAs at the resort and took some quick, critical decisions, which must have been talked through during the night. First, she expelled Panneerselvam from the primary membership of the AIADMK. Secondly, she chose her loyalist Edapadi K Palanisamy to take over as chief minister.

Edapadi later reportedly tweeted: “We have sent a letter to the governor and are awaiting his reply.” Governor Vidyasagar Rao is to take a decision soon.

A third decision was to file a review petition. AIADMK leader M Thambidurai reportedly tweeted: “We will file a review petition. A new legislature party leader has been elected. #Panneerselvam no longer party member.”

And to nail it in tight, a fourth decision was to also fire from the primary membership of the party the handful of MLAs who had dared to oppose “Chinnamma”. That left no loose ends, so to say.

So what does Panneerselvam do? His dream of chief ministership has vaporised, virtually. Governor Vidyasagar Rao has no reason to call him for any floor test, unless there is a reverse exodus, again of MLAs, in which case there will be a constitutional reading into the issue.

More details were available at the popular debate show Mudda of APN. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Pradeep Rai said: “There is no other alternative for Panneerselvam than going to BJP. It is next to impossible that he will become CM. He may well continue as MLA, but will get disqualified later. For him, it is the beginning of the end.” On Sasikala, Rai felt that even if she has to go to prison as of now, she would get parole and, more importantly, continue to influence matters from inside the prison.

That underscores the point: Indian politicians don’t recede into retirement. They are often forced to fade away, sometimes with ignominy. However, one has to rediscover a face for AIADMK. That is the critical need.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Bollywood actor Neha Sharma campaigns for her father Ajit Sharma in Bhagalpur, Bihar

The Bollywood actor posted a video on her Instagram handle which showed her journey through various districts of Bihar, including Kishanganj, Banka, Purnea and Katihar. She was dressed in a traditional salwar kameez and was seen greeting and encouraging the public to cast their votes.

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Bollywood actor Neha Sharma’s recent participation in a roadshow in Bihar has taken the internet by storm. Sharma, known for her roles in films like Tum Bin 2 and Crook, was seen supporting her father, Ajit Sharma, who is contesting from Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket. The roadshow came amid speculations that the actor might enter politics. But, it is now clear that she was just campaigning for her father.

neha sharma

The Bollywood actor posted a video on her Instagram handle which showed her journey through various districts of Bihar, including Kishanganj, Banka, Purnea and Katihar. She was dressed in a traditional salwar kameez and was seen greeting and encouraging the public to cast their votes.

The actor received a warm reception and love from a large crowd in Pirpainti and Kahalgaon during her roadshow. She wrote on Instagram that it is said when someone gives one a place in their heart, then they live there forever. She said her heart is full of all the love and support she was receiving from the people. She thanked the people for the warm welcome she got in Pirpainti and Kahalgaon. Aapka pyar sar ankhon par.

Another video, circulating on social media showed the actor actively participating in her father’s election campaign in Bhagalpur. The election to the Bhagalpur Lok Sabha seat is set to take place in the 2nd phase on April 26. Ajit Sharma is representing the Congress and is up against JDU’s Ajay Kumar Mandal in this seat.

Earlier, there had been rumours and speculations that Neha Sharma might join politics. But many reports have clarified that she is not making her political debut yet. The Bollywood actor had been offered the opportunity to join politics by her father Ajjit Sharma but she is currently focusing on her acting career.

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Education

Farmer’s son Nilkrishna Gajare Nirmalkumar from Maharashtra scores 100 NTA score in IIT-JEE Mains 2024

Nilkrishna Gajare’s father is a farmer and had to discontinue his own education after Class 12 as he faced financial difficulties. Gajare faced financial challenges growing up. However, his unwavering dedication and strategic approach to preparation set him apart from the crowd.

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Nilkrishna Gajare, who hails from Maharashtra’s Washim, achieved an extraordinary feat by securing a perfect score of 100 in the JEE Main 2024 examination. His journey from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of success is a source of inspiration for many people.

Nilkrishna Gajare’s father is a farmer and had to discontinue his own education after Class 12 as he faced financial difficulties. Gajare faced financial challenges growing up. However, his unwavering dedication and strategic approach to preparation set him apart from the crowd, which resulted in his remarkable achievement of emerging as topper of one of India’s toughest Engineering entrance exams.

Nilkrishna Gajare had a strategic plan that helped him succeed in IIT-JEE 2024. According to Nilkrishna persistence is important and one should never stop trying until they understand a topic. He said being curious and asking questions are important traits of a good student.  He said one should not be ashamed of asking questions.

Nilkrishna spent around 10-15 hours every day studying on his own for the JEE Main exam. He mentioned that he used his class notes for Physics and Physical Chemistry. For organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry, he relied on both notes and practice questions.

As for Mathematics, he believed that practicing regularly was the most important thing for him. Other interests of Nilkrishna include archery. He has participated at both state and national levels, and he finds joy in the sport.  He said archery helps him understand the importance of focusing his attention on his goals. Nilkrishna likes watching movies and said they are a great source of enjoyment and relaxation.

He likes to watch a movie after exams and occasionally treats himself to one each week too. Gajare aims to keep up the pace for the JEE-Advanced exam and hopes to get into the IITs. He said he wants to secure admission in IIT-Bombay in the computer science branch.

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2024 Lok Sabha Elections

Lok Sabha elections: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav files nomination from Kannauj

The Samajwadi Party has announced Akhilesh Yadav as its official candidate for the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat today

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Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, submitted his nomination for the Kannauj Lok Sabha constituency ahead of tomorrow’s second round of voting. In front of Ram Gopal Yadav and other party leaders, the chief of the SP, who had previously contested the seat in 2000, 2004 and 2009, submitted the nomination.

Speaking with media, Ram Gopal Yadav said that SP would win the seat by a huge margin. The BJP candidate might lose his deposit in the seat, he said.

The Samajwadi Party has completely reversed its earlier plan to field former Mainpuri MP Tej Pratap Singh Yadav as their candidate, which is a significant political development.

Earlier, Akhilesh Yadav told reporters, people will find out when the nomination takes place, in reference to the speculations that he will contest for the seat. The historic victory of Kannauj is the subject of inquiry.

The former chief minister continued, the people have decided that the India bloc is coming as the future and the BJP will be history in this election.

Notably, elections for the Kannauj seat are scheduled for May 13, which would intensify the political drama that is now playing out in Uttar Pradesh. Previously regarded as the Samajwadi Party’s stronghold, the seat was lost by the party in the 2019 election when Subrat Pathak of the BJP won with a resounding victory.

The candidates competing for the following Uttar Pradesh seats will find out their destiny in the second round of voting, which is scheduled for tomorrow, Amroha, Meerut, Mathura, Baghpat, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Bulandshahar.

Notably, two Bollywood celebrities running as BJP candidates in the second round are Hema Malini from Mathura and Arun Govil from Meerut. There are 91 contestants from UP competing in the second phase.

The seats in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Mathura are up for grabs, with a maximum of 15 applicants per seat. In Bulandshahr, six candidates are vying for the presidency. There are twelve contenders running in Amroha, eight in Meerut, seven in Baghpat, and fourteen in Ghaziabad and Aligarh.

1,67,77,198 votes will decide these candidates’ fates.

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