MLA’s trial by promises
Paying his constituency a visit recently to convey his gratitude to the voters for electing him to the state Assembly, Modakurichi MLA D Shanmugan of the TVK assured that all electoral promises made by his party would be fulfilled. To prove his point, he listed out the announcements made by the government soon after taking the reins, particularly on the one for closure of hundreds of Tasmac outlets across Tamil Nadu and the direction to the liquor shops not to charge extra. He then told the crowd to inform him when any customer was charged more than the maximum retail price (MRP). At that moment, an elderly man, at the top of his voice, said that the staff at a liquor outlet was collecting an additional Rs 10 per bottle and insisted that the MLA come along. While taken aback, the legislator, maintaining his composure, replied that he would look into the matter and left the spot in a jiffy – not to the Tasmac outlet in contention for enquiries, as one may hope — P Srinivasan
Attending mass to land a job with CM
Ever since the new chief minister was sworn in, word is that everyone from his housekeeping staff to those in his church is being approached by many a person hoping to be part of his top office through recommendation. The police are no exception, it appears, as a Chennai-based sub inspector is spotted frequenting the Sunday mass at the church the CM is part of. While it is reasonable to dismiss the SI’s heightened attendance to his prayers turning more fervent, his eyeing an entry into the CM’s core cell retains doubts. The doubts are only reinforced with sources adding that over 250 applications are in for the 30-odd vacancies in the said wing. After all, the core cell posting comes with long-term career benefits, influence and visibility. With the new government promising to be corruption free, all eyes are on the ‘recommendations’ floating around giving away any authority’s true colours— Rajalakshmi Sampath
When timing helped
A recent remark by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin in the state Assembly asking the new government to part with old ways and focus on “real governance” than being an “Insta reels government” triggered a storm online, with many lending support to the TVK. The cherry in the topping for TVK supporters was a video of two child influencers, who had earlier promoted the DMK by doing Instagram reels with party president and then chief minister M K Stalin, now proclaiming themselves fans of actor Vijay and celebrating his becoming CM by breaking into a song and dance. Talk about timing!
