On the final day of the Assembly session, former CM OPS’s supporter and MLA Ayyappan drew attention by praising the ruling DMK government. Sources said OPS had earlier sought time from Chief Minister M K Stalin to speak on the state’s morning breakfast scheme. When proceedings began, however, his supporter rose instead. The CM is learnt to have asked School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi why OPS was not speaking. The minister later conveyed Speaker M Appavu’s clarification that OPS had a sore throat and had authorised his MLA to speak.
-Prabhakar Tamilarasu
Tiruvarur jinx
DMK youth wing secretary and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is learnt to have explored shifting to the delta and contesting from Tiruvarur, once represented by his grandfather M Karunanidhi. However, a long-standing local belief that Lord Thyagaraja is the only “king” of Tiruvarur — and that no victor from the seat goes on to rule the state — allegedly figured in discussions. The perception gained traction as Karunanidhi, though elected twice from the constituency, did not become chief minister during those terms. The proposal has since been dropped, sources said.
-Prabhakar Tamilarasu
Praise over provisions
During the Greater Chennai Corporation budget debate, BJP councillor Uma Anandhan said the proceedings resembled a celebration of the ruling party rather than fiscal scrutiny. Several DMK councillors listed government initiatives and claimed she had praised the administration at the January meeting, a charge she denied, clarifying she had only appreciated works in Ward 134. When she rose to speak, Uma was blunt: The session felt like a DMK public rally, not a serious discussion on civic finances, despite a deficit exceeding Rs 2,000 crore. A budget debate, she said, is meant to count the numbers. But the irony is, the councillor started her speech by praising the RSS for its 100th anniversary.
- ENS
Hit the road
Frequent digging of Highways roads by the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) has irked officials of the Highways Department. A senior official, expressing frustration, said the civic body repeatedly excavates stretches and leaves them in poor condition, with patchwork repairs offering little relief. Tiruchy road, he noted, is the worst affected. “If the roads had mouths, they would cry out loud,” he remarked. Despite repeated representations, CCMC continues the works citing emergency pipeline needs. “We are portrayed as villains for their poor planning,” he added, stating that filing a police complaint is now being considered.
-Aravind Raj