After the last phase of voting, Congress MP & candidate from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram said that the exit polls were deeply unscientific, he added last year the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, BJP will lose significantly in Karnataka and they certainly won’t gain in Kerela and Tamil Nadu. Shashi Tharoor said, “…We have been travelling throughout the country campaigning and have a sense of what is the reality on the ground. Exit polls are deeply unscientific. Last year, the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh & Rajasthan. What we are interested in is the real poll- the votes of the public…BJP will lose significantly in Karnataka and they certainly won’t gain in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.”
Tag: Tamil Nadu
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PM Modi visits Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu – The Economic Times Video
Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his 45-hour long meditation at the famed Vivekananda Rock Memorial here on Thursday evening. After arriving from nearby Thiruvananthapuram by a helicopter, Modi worshipped at the Bhagavathi Amman temple and reached the rock memorial by a ferry service and started meditation that is scheduled to go on till June 1.
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lok sabha elections: Tamil Nadu demographic could hurt the BJP’s ambitious plans for the state
Coimbatore: As the BJP looks to get the lotus to bloom in Tamil Nadu, the stumbling block for the national party would be its anti-minority image in a state where minorities are among the highest in any state in the country, said experts and analysts ahead of the upcoming polls on April 19.
As per the Census in 2011, Hindus are a majority in the state constituting 87.58% of Tamil Nadu’s 7.21 crore. The Muslim population comprise 5.86% of the total population while the Christians make up 6.12%.
The BJP has laid constant electioneering siege with the prime minister making multiple visits to Tamil Nadu. While the party’s popularity has been growing owing to leaders like the BJP state chief Annamalai, who is being touted as a dark horse who could spring a surprise in Coimbatore this election. However, the demographics of the state might come in the way of the BJP’s ambitious plans.This time, the party has also taken the decision to ditch its alliance with the AIADMK and go solo in as many as 19 of the 39 constituencies and contest four others with the help of its allies. However, analysts said the BJP’s performance in these constituencies may suffer owing to their perception of being against minorities, despite their best efforts to shed this image through vigorous outreach.
During his 168-day ‘yatra’ by foot and on wheels from Rameswaram, Annamalai met several leaders from Muslim and christian communities, the dialogue with these leaders was to convey to minority community leaders that the BJP was not against them in any way and was only keen on fighting terrorism, perpetrated by militant organisations.
On Saturday too Annamalai met Bishop Paul Alappat and the members of the Coimbatore Diocese pastoral council in Ramanthapuram and Coimbatore and later wrote on ‘X’ “Bishop Paul Alappat’s wisdom & community service has inspired countless lives,” Annamalai said on X (formerly Twitter). While the BJP is reaching out to the communities, there is scepticism on whether this approach would work. “The anti-minority tag of the BJP will cost them dearly,” political analyst Tharasu Shyam told ET. “The minority percentage in Tamil Nadu varies from 10-20% and constituencies like Vellore and Ramanathapuram have got a heavy concentration of Muslims. The BJP may come second in about four constituencies. Theni, Vellore, Dharmapuri and Tirunelveli are witnessing tough competition by the BJP alliance, but ultimately the numerical strength of the DMK alliance and anti-minority tag of BJP is likely to prevail.”
A report by the Pew Research Center said the largest numbers of Christians in India were still concentrated in the Southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It went on to add that the Christian population grew the most in Tamil Nadu of all the states in India, increasing by 6 lakh to touch 40 lakhs.
“The demographic of Tamil Nadu with its larger minority populations has always made it harder for parties that are perceived as being anti-minority to make a mark,” political analyst N Sathiya Moorthy said. “Both the minorities combined should make up around 15-20% of the total population in Tamil Nadu and so parties they perceive to support them start with that advantage.”
For example, he said, if the combined percentage stood at 15%, then most of it will likely go to the DMK-Congress combine – giving them an edge over rivals.
“The question is how many of the minority votes may shift to the AIADMK because they are not aligning with the BJP. I don’t see that happening because suddenly the BJP and Modi have become election issues this time,” Moorthy said.
As per the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), Christians in Tamil Nadu are spread across nearly all the districts, but their presence is relatively higher in a few pockets spread across different parts of the state. Their highest presence is in the south, particularly in Kanyakumari, home to one-fifth of all the Christians in the state.
The CPS said that besides Kanyakumari, the growth of Christians was ‘remarkable’ in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts that surround Chennai city. It also observed that the number and share of Muslims in Tamil Nadu was almost like that of the Christians but that they were spread more uniformly across the state. It said their highest concentration is in Ramanathapuram, where they formed 15.4% of the population.
“Religious polarisation will not work in Tamil Nadu because this is the land of social reformer EVR (Periyar),” senior journalist S Murari said. “The BJP knows minorities won’t vote for it, so it is banking on majority Hindus by saying the DMK is anti-God and anti-Hindu and like the Congress, it is a party of corrupt dynasts.”
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congress: Triple blow of demonetisation, GST, unplanned Covid lockdowns decimated MSMEs in TN: Congress
New Delhi: Asserting that the MSMEs are India’s “job creators”, the Congress on Monday said the triple blow of demonetisation, GST and the unplanned COVID lockdowns decimated the MSME ecosystem in Tamil Nadu and alleged the unemployment crisis of today’s India is a “Modi-made creation”. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that before the BJP came to power, Tamil Nadu boasted a thriving ecosystem of more than 10 lakh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), more than any other state.
“The triple blow of demonetisation, GST and the unplanned COVID lockdowns decimated the MSME ecosystem. As Rahul Gandhi has been consistently highlighting through the last ten years and as he reiterated during the INDIA bloc’s mega rally in Coimbatore on April 12, MSMEs in the Kongu Nadu region, the state’s industrial heartland, are still reeling from the Centre’s mismanagement,” Ramesh alleged.
This “man-made disaster” brought nearly all economic activity to a standstill and businesses were unable to pay workers and consumption ground to a halt, the Congress leader claimed. “Kongu Nadu’s MSMEs, highly dependent on cash flow, were hit hard. In Tiruppur, as many as 1,000 small factories closed unable to withstand the sudden economic upheaval. Textile exports fell from the expected Rs 30,000 crore to Rs 26,000 crore,” he said.
Ramesh said the second blow delivered by the NDA government to the MSMEs in Tamil Nadu was the GST.
“The overly complex tax regime was brought in hastily, with no concern for the heavy expense that onerous filing requirements place on the MSMEs,” Ramesh said. The impact was that while large enterprises saw their effective tax rate rise from 27 per cent to 28 percent, the MSMEs saw their effective tax rate nearly double from the previous regime, he added. “By 2019, almost 50,000 MSMEs in Tamil Nadu were forced to shut shop. More than 5.19 lakh people lost their jobs in 2017-18 alone. In Coimbatore, MSMEs were manufacturing pumps worth Rs 50 crore daily. Post GST, the trade volume nosedived to barely Rs 5 crore. Textile exports from Tiruppur fell by Rs 16,000 crore in 2017-18,” he said.
Ramesh further pointed out that production fell by 20-25 per cent in Sivakasi’s firecracker industry, which supports three lakh workers.
He said the NDA’s third onslaught on the MSMEs came just as the sector was recovering from demonetisation and GST with the lockdown devastating the MSME balance sheets and severely constraining demand even as the migrant crisis was constraining labour supply.
“MSMEs are India’s primary job creators. The devastation wrought upon them meant that by April 2020, Tamil Nadu’s unemployment rate had climbed to 49.8 per cent, the highest in the country,” Ramesh said.
“A July 2020 survey, conducted during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, indicated severe financial stresses. 31 per cent of MSMEs were considering seeking credit from predatory money lenders as commercial banks refused to lend to them,” he added.
The Congress leader said that 55 per cent of the MSMEs laid off workers during the pandemic, with 20 per cent reporting that they laid off or had planned to lay off over 50 per cent of their workforce.
At the national level, the Modi government’s crony capitalism has meant a deliberate neglect of MSME issues, he alleged.
“While large corporations have received massive loan write-offs worth Rs 16 lakh crores, the MSMEs have received no such relief,” Ramesh said.
“The Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), the apex body of MSME associations in the State, demanded that the Union government create a separate Income Tax bracket for MSMEs to distinguish them from large corporate firms. Their pleas fell on deaf ears,” he added.
Ramesh said the government has not intervened to help the MSMEs that face elevated raw material costs from the cartels of large-scale steel, aluminium, rubber and plastic manufacturers.
In the Kongu Nadu region, GST refunds amounting to nearly Rs 1,200 crore are pending for around 2,000 viscose fabric weaving units, Ramesh said, adding that close to 500 units have closed because of the pending refund.
“The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association has sought a cut in GST rates on labour charges or job work undertaken by micro and small engineering units from the current 12 per cent to either 5 per cent or nil. The demand has not been met,” he said.
“MSMEs are India’s job creators. The unemployment crisis of today’s India is a Modi-made creation. The next time the BJP claims to be pro-industry or pro-manufacturing, it must introspect on the damage it has done to Kongu Nadu, one of India’s most important industrial belts,” Ramesh said.
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pm modi: ‘Modi govt is Adani govt’: Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi at a rally in Tamil Nadu
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the current government actually is Adani govt.
At a rally in Tamil Nadu, the Congress leader said, “Modi govt actually is Adani government, it should be called Adani government and not Modi government.”
“Be it airport, highway, any infra project; somehow Govt of India just gives it to Adani,” he added.More to come.
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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Annamalai hits back at Dayanidhi Maran after his ‘joker’ remark: ‘Useless without family’s name’ – The Economic Times Video
Tamil Nadu’s BJP president, K Annamalai, strongly criticized the DMK party, labeling it as one of the most unsightly political entities in the nation. He went on to assert that the DMK has introduced a level of derogatory language into the political discourse that has not been witnessed in the state’s political landscape over the past seven decades.
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‘Chennai Has Won Me Over’: BJP’s Modi Holds Roadshow With Annamalai; Assures Development |
BJP leader Narendra Modi today held a roadshow in Chennai along with the party’s Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai and other leaders. Sharing photos of the roadshow on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Chennai crowd ‘won over him’. He also promised continuous development of the metro city. Chennai will go to the polls on April 19 in the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
“Chennai has won me over! Today’s roadshow in this dynamic city will remain a part of my memory forever. The blessings of the people give me strength to keep working hard in your service and to make our nation even more developed. The enthusiasm in Chennai also shows that Tamil Nadu is all set to support NDA in a big way,” said Modi.
The NDA Government will keep working in sectors like roads, ports, urban transportation, culture, commerce, connectivity, energy and more. At the same time, we will address key issues in Chennai like strengthening the disaster management apparatus, which makes us better prepared… pic.twitter.com/EaCKllkLPQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2024DMK Busy Promoting Family Rule: Modi
Modi alleged that DMK took votes from the people of Chennai for years but did nothing much for the city. “DMK is busy furthering corruption and family rule. Their MPs are not accessible to the people, particularly whenever the times are challenging. The recent public information on the Katchatheevu surrender point to how Congress and DMK were complicit in harming our strategic interests and the well-being of our fishermen and fisherwomen. No wonder this time, Chennai is all set to reject DMK and Congress,” he said.
Modi Recounts Development Work
Modi assured that the NDA government will keep working for the welfare of the vibrant city. “Over the last few years, I have come here very often to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for key projects which will boost ‘Ease of Living.’ At the root of this is connectivity. Recently, the new integrated terminal building at Chennai airport was inaugurated. In the coming times, railway stations here including Egmore Station are going to be redeveloped,” he said.
PM Modi also recounted the launch of Vande Bharat Express connecting Chennai to different cities. “Thanks to Vande Bharat Express, connectivity between Chennai-Coimbatore and Chennai-Mysuru has also been enhanced. The Chennai Metro network is being expanded, thus helping the professionals working in the city. Key road projects like the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway and the expansion of other existing road projects will improve commerce and connectivity,” said the BJP leaders.
The BJP leader claimed that remarkable work is underway in the housing sector as lakhs of houses have been built across Tamil Nadu under PM-Awas Yojana. “Some time ago, many houses built as a part of Light House Project were inaugurated thus giving wings to several aspirations. Our Government is also working on projects like a Multi-Modal Logistics Park and a Discovery Campus at IIT-Madras, which will boost business as well as innovation,” said Modi.
Invoking Tamil Culture To Woo Voters
Invoking the Tamil culture to woo the voters, Modi said that the NDA government accords topmost respect to Tamil culture and added that he felt proud after getting an opportunity to speak a few words in Tamil language at the UN. “We will continue to make Tamil culture and language popular at the world stage. Two years ago, the Central Institute of Classical Tamil was inaugurated which will further popularise aspects of Tamil culture. Earlier this year, the revamped channel DD Tamil was launched which will again be instrumental in celebrating the culture of this great state,” Modi promised.
Development Promise
Modi said that the NDA Government will keep working in sectors like roads, ports, urban transportation, culture, commerce, connectivity, energy and more. He said that the central government will also address key issues in Chennai like strengthening the disaster management apparatus, which makes us better prepared when calamities like floods strike. We will also keep supporting the MSME sector, a vital pillar of economic growth.
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Ranji Trophy 2024: Shreyas Iyer Fails To Impress But Mumbai Book Finals Berth Win Against Tamil Nadu | cricket news
Indian middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer continued his poor long-format form, scoring just three runs before being dismissed during the semifinals of Ranji Trophy for Mumbai against Tamil Nadu on Sunday. Iyer was recently dropped from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Central Contract List for 2023-24 following his recent non-participation in domestic red-ball cricket, could manage just three runs in eight balls before he was clean-bowled. by pacer Sandeep Warrier.
The attacking right-handed batsman has had a tough few months. From October–November, Iyer had a monumental ICC Cricket World Cup in India, scoring 530 runs in 11 matches at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of over 113, with two centuries and three fifties. As the seventh-highest run-scorer in the tournament, Shreyas Iyer was the backbone of the Indian batting line-up which played a crucial role in the team's 10-match unbeaten streak to the finals, where they lost to Australia.
Coming to the match, Mumbai secured the victory against Tamil Nadu to book their berth in the finals of the Ranji Trophy 2024 season. Skipper R Sai Kishore's inner voice has played a big role in bringing Tamil Nadu this far but his decision to bat on a seaming wicket against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semifinal was wrong, said Tamil Nadu coach Sulakshan Kulkarni on Monday.
In what turned out to be a surprising call which prompted reactions including those from R Ashwin and Saurashtra's Jaydev Unadkat, Sai Kishore put his side in to bat first on a seaming wicket which had Tamil Nadu reeling at 42/5 inside the first session.
Tamil Nadu could never recover as they were shot out for paltry totals of 146 and 162 in the two innings as Mumbai stormed into the final for the 48th time in the Ranji Trophy.
“The moment I saw the wicket I knew exactly what we were going to get,” Kulkarni told the media after the match. (Ranji Trophy 2024: 'Lord Is Back,' Internet Goes Wild As Shardul Thakur Sizzles With Century For Mumbai In Semifinal Against Tamil Nadu)
“When I saw that they had played on a different pitch in the quarterfinal and what wicket they gave, (that) moment I realized that this is a seaming-friendly wicket and it was going to be a very tough match, we would have to play really well to win this game. I always speak straightforward — we lost the match at 9'o clock on Day One. Everything was set, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled but the captain had some different instinct.”
“Ultimately he is the boss. I can give my feedback and inputs (as to) what kind of wickets and Mumbai's mindset also. (From) 106/7, I knew before the match that this (Mumbai's fightback) may happen.” Kulkarni said Mumbai has the best lower-order in India.
“They are the best (Nos) 9, 10 (and) in India. I told this in the dressing room that their batting starts after (No) 6. I can take the horse to the water, the horse has to drink.” Kulkarni said Tamil Nadu's plans were set for both outcomes of the coin toss.
“We were mentally prepared that whoever wins the toss would bowl first. We knew that we would bowl first. The moment they (TV broadcast) said we would bat first, whatever you say, it goes in the batsmen's minds. That first half an The hour (before play) got in the batsmen's minds,” he said.
“When you get into the first over, third ball, your international player gets out and you see the situation… in the first hour we lost the game and the plot. It was very difficult to come back even though they were 107 for seven ( 106/7). Kulkarni said 'instinctive' decision by Tamil Nadu skipper Sai Kishore has worked both ways.
“Again, the instinctive decision, that inner voice, has played a big role. If you can say (it in) the positive way, the inner voice has helped also in reaching the semifinal,” he said.
“In the previous match against Saurashtra, he went at No 3 and scored 65. That was again the inner voice, which has played (out) the positive way. Every captain has a different mindset, then I would say 'why not, I won't blame the captain'.”Other captains in the last 7-8 years must have tried but they did not reach the semifinal. I looked at it from a positive way,” he added.
“Kishore can certainly take 200 wickets.”
The former Mumbai player and coach however praised left-arm spinner Kishore as a prospect to take 200 wickets in Test cricket if given an opportunity.
“I have seen many left-arm spinners in last many years. As far as a left-arm spinner is concerned, he is a high quality bowler because he has all requisites to be a successful international player,” Kulkarni said.
“He has height, overspin, arm ball, and bounce like Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja). If you play on these kinds of wickets, the way India is playing currently, I think he can certainly take 200 wickets.”
Kulkarni, meanwhile, backed Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai to their 42nd title win in the final starting on March 10.
“I am a big fan of Ajinkya Rahane. He has made a big difference to this team though he has not performed as a batter. But as leader he gelled with the team. He is like my student from U-15 days, he was a successful captain of India,” he said.
“He captained the team when things were not going in favor for India. He has handled the team in a way that they will now win the trophy under Ajinkya Rahane.”
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German Singer Cassandra Spittmann Meets PM Modi In Tamil Nadu, Sings ‘Achyutam Keshavam’ – WATCH |
CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a delightful encounter on Tuesday as he met with German singer Cassandra Mae Spittmann and her mother in Palladam, Tamil Nadu. During their interaction, Spittmann showcased her musical talents by singing “Achyutam Keshavam” along with a Tamil song. A video capturing this musical exchange was shared by the news agency ANI, providing a glimpse of the enchanting performance.
VIDEO | PM Modi met German singer-songwriter Cassandra Mae Spittmann and her mother in Palladam, Tamil Nadu earlier today. She recited ‘Achyutam Keshavam’ and a Tamil song in front of the PM.
Spittmann, who has mastered music in several Indian languages, found her mention in the… pic.twitter.com/hjRmJyvoks
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 27, 2024
PM Modi Launds Spittmann In Mann ki Baat
Spittmann’s musical prowess had previously caught the attention of Prime Minister Modi, who mentioned her in one of his immensely popular monthly radio programs, Mann ki Baat. The Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of her talent further elevated her profile, showcasing her love for Indian culture and devotion to music.
Who Is Cassandra Mae Spittmann?
Despite being born with blindness, Spittmann has passionately pursued her love for music, specializing in devotional songs across various Indian languages such as Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, and Kannada. Her deep connection to Indian culture is evident through her Instagram profile, where she describes herself as a “German Singer-Songwriter in love with India,” boasting a substantial following of over five lakh Instagram followers.
Spittmann’s Singing Career
Prime Minister Modi had previously applauded Spittmann’s talent on Mann ki Baat, introducing her to the audience and highlighting her captivating voice and her heartfelt expressions in every rendition. Spittmann’s journey in music has been marked by notable achievements, including appearances on radio and television, collaborations with international artists, and recognition for her compositions in prestigious platforms like the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
International Recognition
Spittmann’s dedication to her craft has earned her acclaim both domestically and internationally, with her performances resonating with audiences worldwide. As she continues to captivate listeners with her melodious voice and profound musical expressions, Spittmann’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of one’s dreams.