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Tag: Kerala Polls 2021

  • Central businesses serving to BJP-Congress alliance in Kerala: Pinarayi

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the state acquired into the election mode, the central enforcement businesses have lastly resorted to ‘poozhikadakan’ — the final of the 18 strategies in ‘Kalaripayattu’ which is taken into account an evasive measure accomplished in desperately disadvantageous conditions — to place the state authorities on the mat with a watch on serving to the Kerala-level Congress-BJP alliance, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated. 

    Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, Pinarayi stated if the Enforcement Directorate has been making an attempt to destroy KIIFB, now the customs has taken over the marketing campaign for BJP and Congress in Kerala in opposition to the federal government. “The customs commissioner has submitted a statement recorded under Section 164 in the High Court in a case in which he was not a party. The motive behind the move is to tarnish the image of the state government,” he stated. 

    Pinarayi alleged that the customs commissioner has been dancing to the tune of some political leaders. “The commissioner had submitted the statement recorded in last November. Firstly, the statement under Section 164 should not be revealed to anyone,” he stated.

    CM: Central businesses’ techniques received’t work right here

    “The BJP state president and Opposition leader had in last November itself raised the issue. But it didn’t get people’s attention as it was aimed at tarnishing the image of the state government. Now, they have come up again, but this time the customs commissioner has become the puppet in their hands,” he stated. Pinarayi stated the customs was not excited by arresting the perpetrators of gold smuggling because the company remains to be clueless on the rackets that despatched the gold consignments or for whom they had been despatched.

    LDF employees taking out a protest march to thecustoms zonal workplace in Thiruvananthapuramon Saturday | Vincent Pulickal“They are desperately looking ways to link the crime with any of the officials or leaders in the state government. When their attempts to link the crime with CMO failed due to the revelation of an upright joint customs commissioner, he was transferred to Nagpur to implement the plans of BJP in the state,” he stated. “Isn’t it only after a MoS for External affairs from Kerala took charge that gold smuggling through diplomatic channel started to Kerala,” he requested.

    He additionally sought to know the connection between the minister and the one who insisted the gold smuggling accused to not reveal the diplomatic connection within the smuggling. “Why did the minister take a stance that the smuggling was held not through the diplomatic channel, despite a MoS for Finance informed Parliament about the diplomatic connection of smuggling,” he requested. 

    “All these developments and the latest campaigning of customs on behalf of the BJP and Congress show that there is a move to put the government in a bad light. But they should understand that this is Kerala and such tactics will not do any good for them as the people know this government very well,” he stated.

  • Local join holds sway, not large political statements

    Express News Service
    Malappuram, the plush inexperienced land decked with hills and rivers in north Kerala, has a novel place within the cultural and political historical past of Kerala. Once the army headquarters of the Zamorins of Kozhikode, Malappuram has loved abroad commerce ties since historic instances. And these hyperlinks have performed a pivotal function in shaping the way forward for the district which has given start to quite a few personalities who’ve left indelible footprints on the state’s political enviornment.

    It was early afternoon once we reached the historic Ponnani harbour the place the Bharathapuzha meets the Arabian Sea. The fishing boats had been mendacity anchored and the allied fishing sector staff had been resting after lunch. Like the meandering river, the lifetime of the folks within the coastal city has a rhythm. If something, they’re pleased with what the ocean provides them in on a regular basis life.

    “At times, we get a good catch. Some days, the sea turns us away with empty hands. But the allowance given by the boat owner is enough to make both ends meet. If there is a good catch, there would be incentives too, in proportion to the catch,” mentioned Abdul Rasaq, a fisherman. Mammootty S, an NRI-turned-businessman who lately purchased a brand new boat together with his companion, mentioned they want a catch of at the very least `60,000 to make a revenue. “It is possible if the situation is favourable, although there would be fluctuations on certain days,” he mentioned.

    Outside the harbour, we met Nabeesa Khader (identify modified). Though belonging to a household beneath the poverty line, she was in a contented temper as a couple of weeks earlier she had married off her daughter in good method. Ditched by her husband way back, she struggled to lift her daughter. Elderly dad and mom and their diseases sophisticated issues. During an area physique election, a candidate who visited her home, seeing the poor situation of the home that had a thatched roof of palm leaves, enquired in regards to the causes for her distress. 

    Disconsolate, she instructed the candidate about her daughter’s marriage getting delayed. The candidate then assured her, whether or not he wins or not, he would discover a resolution and requested her to go forward with the preparations required for marriage. Soon after the elections, he donated 10 sovereign gold ornaments to her daughter, in addition to assuring monetary help collected from good Samaritans within the locality. And the wedding was solemnised as per plan and she or he acquired sum for the conduct of the wedding. She sobbed whereas narrating it too, however this day out of pleasure.

    Similar situations are aplenty in Malappuram the place influential folks or native collectives play an essential function in assuaging the struggling of fellow beings. Such initiatives of well timed aid play a big function in deciding the mandate in Malappuram. “People, or their close relatives, who have received help from well-off persons or leaders, or their outfits, will naturally be influenced by their way of thinking. Also, this is a way of life in Malappuram and the political parties know how to broaden their base and win the hearts of people,” mentioned Mammootty. 

    Many folks TNIE spoke to mentioned those that take the larger danger win the hearts of extra folks and that political developments on the state stage are usually not the most important points for them.By late afternoon, the teashop of Abdulla Kutty, fondly referred to as Oolikka, at Koottayi close to Tirur was witnessing a political dialogue centred primarily on native politics. When this reporter tried to hitch the dialogue, the ‘debaters’ had been initially apprehensive however quickly opened up.

    They had been least bothered about what the state authorities has given them, be it a package of provisions or social welfare pension. At one level, Oolikka challenged Yusaf Okay and Shashi Okay P, supporters of different distinguished political events, to show who helped the folks in misery within the space extra. And he was able to down the shutters of his store in the event that they proved in any other case. So on and so forth, the keenness for politics goes on in myriad discussions among the many commoners in Malappuram.

  • PJ Joseph prone to accept 10 seats; finish in sight for UDF seat-sharing stalemate

    Express News Service
    KOTTAYAM: The stalemate within the UDF over sharing seats between Congress and Kerala Congress faction led by PJ Joseph is prone to be resolved with an over telephone dialog between senior Congress leaders and P J Joseph on Sunday. According to sources, the Joseph faction will get 10 seats, together with Changanassery, Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthi constituencies, in Kottayam district.

    Though Joseph remains to be sticking to his demand for the Moovattupuzha seat, by which he needs to make sure a certain seat for his aide Francis George, Congress is unlikely to simply accept the demand. Apart from three seats in Kottayam district, Joseph will get Thodupuzha, Idukki, Kuttanad, Tiruvalla, Kothamangalam, Irinjalakuda and Perambra. As per the current understanding between Congress and the Joseph faction, the latter will withdraw from their claims on Kanjirappally and Poonjar seats, the place Congress will contest.

    Meanwhile, Joseph continues to exert stress on UDF management along with his declare for 12 seats. Sources at Joseph’s camp stated he would arrive at a settlement for 10 seats provided that they get Moovattupuzha. However, Congress plans to subject Joseph Vazhakkan, an in depth confidant of Ramesh Chennithala, or Mathew Kuzhalnadan, a nominee of KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran. “Whatever may be the final decision, the seat-sharing process will be concluded on Sunday,” stated a Joseph faction chief.

    Meanwhile, protests proceed to brew amongst Congress employees in Kottayam for awarding Ettumanoor seat to Joseph. A bit of Youth Congress employees beneath the aegis of Ettumanoor Block Youth Congress committee staged a sit-in protest in entrance of the Kottayam District Congress Committee (DCC) workplace on Saturday.

    According to them, not solely did the undivided KC(M) lose the earlier two polls from Ettumanoor, however the Joseph faction has no affect right here.However, Joseph camp countered the allegation stating their victory in Athirampuzha division of the Kottayam district panchayat within the earlier native physique elections.

  • Kerala elections: CPM rejigs workforce, six huge names out

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to deal with anti-incumbent sentiments, the CPM has included a set of children and newcomers in its checklist of candidates for the meeting polls. The social gathering state committee which met on Friday has give you a listing of 84 candidates, notably deciding to maintain away numerous seniors together with Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and Works Minister G Sudhakaran. The social gathering has additionally allotted 13 seats — together with Poonjar, Ranni and Kuttiyadi — to Jose Okay Mani’s Kerala Congress (M). The state secretariat will meet once more on Monday and Tuesday to finalise the checklist. 

    Despite vociferous calls for to offer Isaac one other probability contemplating his public enchantment, the CPM resolved to implement the two-term norm strictly. As anticipated, ministers E P Jayarajan, A Okay Balan and C Raveendranath, along with senior chief P Jayarajan, won’t be within the fray. 

    P Nandakumar will contest from Ponnani, the sitting seat of Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan.While the CPM had fielded 12 ladies within the final meeting elections, solely 10 ladies have discovered a spot within the checklist this time. In the earlier polls, the social gathering had contested from a complete of 92 seats, together with 4 independents.

    As many as 23 sitting MLAs who had two consecutive phrases and two — Okay U Arunan of Irinjalakuda and P Okay Sasi of Shoranur — who accomplished one time period have been omitted. 

    As of now, six secretariat members together with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, M V Govindan, T P Ramakrishnan, M M Mani, Okay N Balagopal and P Rajeev will contest. Former speaker Okay Radhakrishnan can be being thought-about. No last resolution has been taken on P Unni of Ottapalam but.Notably, spouses of senior leaders A Vijayaraghavan and A Okay Balan have figured within the checklist.

    Vijayaraghavan’s spouse R Bindu is a former Thrissur Mayor and a central committee member of Janadhipathya Mahila Association. She will contest from Irinjalakuda. A Okay Balan’s spouse P Okay Jameela, who will contest from Tarur, is a former director of Health Services. No resolution was taken on Devikulam, Palakkad and Manjeshwar seats. The candidate for the Guruvayur seat will probably be selected Saturday.

  • Punched by Customs, Left to defend govt politically

    By Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of the customs affidavit filed earlier than the High Court stating that Swapna Suresh had named Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and three ministers within the greenback smuggling case, the Left entrance is all set to defend the federal government politically. The Left entrance will take out protest marches to customs workplaces within the state on Saturday. 

    The customs affidavit simply exhibits that the BJP has misplaced its psychological steadiness with the realisation that the Left authorities will proceed in workplace, alleged the CPM. Those indulging in such third-rated actions shouldn’t neglect that that is Kerala, the occasion reiterated. The chief minister and the Left authorities maintain a particular place within the minds of individuals. This has provoked the BJP. The Union authorities is now able to resort to any means. Central businesses have grow to be mere marketing campaign instruments of these ruling on the Centre,” alleged the CPM secretariat.  

    The function of the customs’ assertion because the elections close to is clear. This quantities to violation of guidelines and misuse of probe businesses. Baseless allegations raised by the BJP and Congress are being introduced as affidavits and statements earlier than the court docket by the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and customs, alleged the CPM secretariat.  

    The Left entrance will take out protest marches to customs workplaces in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode on Saturday. The marches are being taken out in protest in opposition to the transfer to defame the chief minister and the Left authorities. LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan alleged that the customs has been maligning the Left authorities’s picture. The Customs has filed its affidavit earlier than the HC based mostly on assertion by an accused.

    CM’S ROLE IN DOLLAR SMUGGLING SHOCKING, SAYS CHENNITHALA 

    T’Puram : The Customs affidavit revealing the involvement of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan within the greenback smuggling case is stunning, mentioned Opposition chief Ramesh Chenithala. “The CM has no right to continue in office as sedition charges were levelled against him in the Customs affidavit submitted in the High Court,” he mentioned in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. It can be intriguing that why the enforcement company had been dragging its ft even after it acquired a vital assertion in opposition to the chief minister and different ministers two months in the past, he mentioned.  

    This exhibits that there was a transparent understanding between the BJP and CPM. The enforcement businesses stalled the investigation regardless of they receiving a vital piece of knowledge linking the chief minister with the greenback smuggling case. As the tacit understanding between BJP and CPM has come out within the open, the chief minister is now attempting to tarnish the Congress occasion’s picture by saying that the Opposition chief is concerned in misery sale earlier than going to BJP.  But the CM  mustn’t neglect the truth that it was he who was actually engaged within the misery sale of Kerala forward of the elections,” Chennithala mentioned. 

  • Church ought to query political events, says Sathyadeepam editorial

    By Express News Service
    KOCHI: The newest editorial piece in Sathyadeepam, the weekly revealed by the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese, states that the Church shouldn’t hesitate to query the political events within the backdrop of elections. “The Church should ask the state and central leaderships of the BJP why justice is getting delayed for Christians at Kandhamal. It should be asked why Fr Stan Swamy, who is innocent, continues to remain in prison,” the editorial says. 

    Recently, BJP state president Okay Surendran and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan visited Cardinal George Alencherry within the backdrop of upcoming meeting elections. The editorial criticises that even revolutionary events will not be keen to step out of politics primarily based on communal help though the idea doesn’t signify pluralistic democracy. It stated the totally different fronts are competing to provide one another the label of communalism. 

    “While the Left and the United fronts are being mocked by their own past failures in appeasement politics, the NDA was ridiculing themselves by saying that they are the same towards everyone,” the editorial states. The Sathyadeepam piece additionally says the Church is lively in discussions to finalise candidates for various fronts though the management repeats the Church is above politics.

    The editorial additional says the Church ought to combat in opposition to the eviction of 1000’s of individuals from their properties for tasks valued at tens of thousand of crores. “The Church should fight for reorganisation of distribution of welfare schemes for minorities based on population,” the editorial says.“The Church is interfering in electoral politics more than ever by speaking directly and by giving out recommendations. The indication is that there won’t be a pastoral letter about the political situation this year. Still, the Church should ask questions to Political Kerala,” the editorial says.

  • ‘Political motive, ballot code violation’: KIIFB locks horns with ED; deputy MD refuses to point out up for interrogation

    By Express News Service
    KOCHI: The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) appears to be locking horns with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) with its Deputy Managing Director not turning up for interrogation on Thursday.

    The ED had served a discover to Vikramjit Singh to seem for interrogation as a part of a probe into violation of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) by KIIFB by elevating the Masala bonds.

    Even although Singh, an IPS officer, was requested to achieve the ED workplace at 10 am on Thursday, KIIFB wrote a letter to the nationwide company that its officers won’t be showing for any questioning. “We received an email from KIIFB stating that all details related to the investments and money transactions have been handed over when sought for the preliminary probe. The letter was from KIIFB CEO, KM Abraham. They have decided to proceed legally against the notice claiming it as a political move,” ED official stated.

    However, ED stated there was no political motive behind the probe. The company has additionally requested KM Abraham to come back to the ED workplace for interrogation on Friday. A recent discover can be issued if he would not flip up on Friday. “The case was registered based on the finding of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) about KIIFB. If everything is transparent and legal, why are KIIFB officials not cooperating with the probe? We will wait a few days to see whether other persons who were given notice appear for interrogation. Later, fresh notices will be served,” an ED official stated.

    ‘Political Motive’

    Both Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Finance Minister Thomas Isaac have come out towards ED for registering the case towards KIIFB which was shaped to seek out funds together with investments for the infrastructure improvement in Kerala. 

    The Chief Minister wrote to the Election Commission of India claiming that the ED probe is a violation of the mannequin code of conduct. 

    Isaac alleged that ED is appearing upon the route of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman who had alleged at an election marketing campaign that the Kerala authorities had allotted a serious portion of the funds to the KIIFB. 

  • Kerala elections: Young turks of God’s Own Country

    By Express News Service
    Over the years, Kerala has seen a number of kids taking over politics in a bid to serve the group and characterize the state’s youth. TNIE appears to be like at some younger MLAs who entered Kerala’s political scene from the tenth Assembly (1996).

    tenth Assembly  (1996-2001)

    P S Supal, 26, Punalur (CPI). 

    Mons Joseph, 32, Kaduthuruthy (KC(J)).

    Okay C Venugopal, 33, Alappuzha (Congress).

    eleventh Assembly  

    (2001- 2006)

    Roshy Augustine, 32, Idukki (KC(M)).

    twelfth Kerala Assembly 

    (2006-2011) PC Vishnunath, 28, Chengannur (Congress).

    thirteenth Assembly (2011-2016)

    Hibi Eden,28, Ernakulam (Congress).

    Shafi Parambil, 28, Palakkad (Congress).

    R Rajesh, 30, Mavelikkara (CPM).

    V T Balram, 33, Thrithala (Congress).

    Anoop Jacob, 34, Piravom (KC(J)).

    14th Assembly  (2016-2021)

    Mohammed Muhsin, 30, Pattambi (CPI).

    Okay S Sabarinadhan, 31, Aruvikkara (Congress).

    Shafi Parambil, 33, Palakkad.

    (Cong) M Swaraj, 37, Tripunithura (CPM).

    Opposition chief Ramesh Chennithala holds the report of being the youngest Kerala minister.

    He helmed the agricultural improvement dept from 1986 to 1987 at age 29. He was elected MLA from Haripad when he was 26 years outdated.

  • Rahul Gandhi can do nothing for Congress in Kerala: Smriti Irani

    By Express News Service
    KOTTAYAM: Union Minister Smriti Irani mentioned right here on Tuesday that Rahul Gandhi, who failed to steer his celebration in Gujarat and different elements of the nation, can do nothing to avoid wasting Congress in Kerala. 

    She was inaugurating a public assembly organised as a part of the reception accorded to BJP state president Okay Surendran’s Vijaya Yatra.

    Launching a scathing assault, Irani alleged that Rahul is a “gentleman who does politics of convenience”.

    “Rahul Gandhi abandoned Amethi and ran to Kerala because, after 15 years, the people of Amethi decided to teach him a lesson. He is unable to criticise the LDF as the UDF and the LDF in Kerala are partners in crime. These partners in crime need to understand that the people of Kerala are awakened and they would say ‘no more’ to corruption and nepotism,” Irani mentioned, requesting the individuals to denounce and defeat this unholy, unseen partnership within the forthcoming election.

    She additionally alleged that the politics of Rahul and the Congress relies on false guarantees.

    “Today is an auspicious day for BJP as yet again in the local body elections in Gujarat, BJP has won a decisive victory and Congress has been uprooted. Congress had to face such a defeat that their Opposition leader and Congress state president had to resign in shame. The reason for their defeat is they tried to divide the people and tried to unleash a campaign of lies. Moreover, Congress has a defunct leadership, that the leadership can’t even lead its own organisation. How can such a leader lead the Congress in Kerala?” she requested.

    Irani added that the BJP will do justice to the Sabarimala motion like the way in which the celebration stored its phrase on the Ram temple.BJP district president Noble Mathew presided over.

    Former Union Minister Alphonse Kannanthanam and Kerala Congress chief P C Thomas, amongst others, spoke.

  • Kerala polls: Ex-Congress MLA Gopinath rebels towards occasion’s youth wing chief in Palakkad

    Express News Service
    PALAKKAD: Former DCC president A V Gopinath has raised the banner of revolt towards his occasion and Youth Congress state president Shafi Parambil who’s almost definitely to contest from the Palakkad meeting constituency.

    Gopinath is banking on the help from the LDF which had completed third within the constituency within the 2016 elections. 

    Gopinath, who can be a former MLA, instructed TNIE that the Congress has been sidelining him for the previous a few years and he isn’t going to take it mendacity down anymore. He added that he’s ready for a response from the Congress management.

    “I am not after the party ticket or any posts in the party. Pushed to the wall, I will campaign in the whole state but will never say for which party,” he mentioned.

    Asked whether or not he’ll contest in Palakkad meeting seat, Gopinath mentioned he has not determined something until now. 

    The CPM district secretariat which met right here on Tuesday is learnt to have really helpful the identify of C P Pramod within the seat. Party district secretary C Okay Rajendran mentioned, “Gopinath has not approached us. He still remains in Congress. Let him make his stand clear and only after that, we can discuss it.”  

    District secretariat member and occasion strongman P Okay Sasi additionally mentioned Gopinath has not contacted the CPM.

    “However, if he abandons Congress, the CPM is ready to welcome him. Gopinath had differences with the party for some time,” mentioned Sasi. 

    Meanwhile, a senior Congress chief mentioned on situation of anonymity that Gopinath won’t ever depart the occasion.

    “Everyone knows that if he contests from Palakkad even with the LDF support, he stands no chance of winning. Therefore, as far as I know, he is eyeing the post of DCC president after V K Sreekantan, MP, steps down. This posturing could be a move to get an assurance on it,” he mentioned.

    In the 2016 meeting elections, CPM’s N N Krishnadas was relegated to the third place with 28.07 per cent votes, whereas Shafi bought 41.77% votes and BJP’s Sobha Surendran 29.08% votes.

    When in comparison with the 2011 meeting elections, Shafi’s vote financial institution had remained kind of the identical. In 2011, Shafi had secured 42.41% votes, CPM’s Okay Okay Divakaran 35.82% and BJP’s Udayabhaskar 19.80%, which reveals that CPM votes had gone to the BJP. 

    Gopinath had proved his mettle by defeating the CPM in its citadel of Alathur in 1991, the one time majority of voters turned towards CPM.

    He has additionally been the president of Peringottukurissy panchayat for the previous 25 years.The BJP, however, is toying with the thought of fielding both occasion spokesman Sandeep Warrier or Metroman E Sreedharan.