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KV Lakshmana

KV Lakshmana is the Tamil Nadu bureau chief of Hindustan Times. He covers social, economic and political changes in the state and neighbourhood.

Articles by KV Lakshmana

New NEET admission policy kills medical dreams, Tamil Nadu girl commits suicide

Anita S, who believed that the newly launched entrance test was detrimental to the interests of students from rural areas, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at her house in Ariyalur district on Friday morning.

Aspirants check seating arrangements before a NEET examination in Bhopal recently. The petition filed in the Supreme Court alleged that the new system favours urban students over rural ones.(PTI File)
Updated on Sep 02, 2017 12:11 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

MBA student hangs himself in Puducherry, Blue Whale Challenge suspected

Shashikant Borha’s classmates said he had downloaded the game on his mobile phone and his laptop and had sent messages that he was the admin of the Blue Whale group.

The Blue Whale Challenge asks a user to perform various tasks, including carving a whale on their arm. (Representational Photo)
Updated on Sep 01, 2017 06:20 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

TN CM Palaniswami uses Jaya’s speech to woo rebel MLAs, Dinakaran may move HC

State revenue minister RB Udayakumar released a CD containing Amma’s speeches praising EPS and telling the cadres as to how he stood with her in fighting the onslaught of ‘the family that was ousted but still was trying to interfere in the party and government affairs.”

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at an AIADMK party meet in Chennai on August 28, 2017.(PTI)
Published on Aug 31, 2017 06:38 PM IST

Blue Whale challenge: You can enter but not leave, says teen before suicide

A 19-year-old college student Vignesh in Madurai is suspected to be the first victim in Tamil Nadu of the Blue Whale Challenge game.

A picture of blue whale was drawn on his hand leading to the suspicion that Vignesh was prodded to death by the online game.(Representative Photo)
Updated on Aug 31, 2017 11:36 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Still waiting for hearing on Isha Foundation’s illegal construction in TN: Activists

The Foundation has been embroiled in a controversial legal battle over its compound in Coimbatore since 2012 and has even received demolition notices from the state government in the past.

The 112-feet statue of Adiyogi Lord Shiva that was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Isha Foundation in Coimbatore on the occasion of Maha Shivratri on February 24, 2017.(PTI File Photo)
Updated on Aug 30, 2017 06:05 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Tamil Nadu opposition to seek President’s intervention for floor test in assembly

Opposition parties including DMK, Congress and the Left will meet President Kovind to urge him to ask governor Vidyasagar Rao to order a floor test

MLAs supporting VK Sasikala's nephew TTV Dinakaran address the media on Tuesday. Dinakaran renewed calls Wednesday for CM to step down.(PTI photo)
Updated on Aug 30, 2017 04:03 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK rebels refuse to blink; EPS-OPS combine holds its fire against Sasikala

The EPS-OPS combine was expected to sack AIADMK’s jailed general secretary Sasikala but it only resolved to convene the party’s general council where the decision could be taken.

File photo of VK Sasikala at J Jayalalithaa's memorial on Marina beach in Chennai.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 28, 2017 10:24 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By, Chennai

AIADMK meeting starts in Chennai, to take decision on Sasikala expulsion

All MPs, MLAs and office bearers of the AIADMK huddled at the party headquarters in Chennai for the meeting, led by chief minister E Palaniswami.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami (R) and O Panneerselvam exchange greetings following the merger of their factions last week.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 28, 2017 11:05 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

DMK meets governor, presses for floor test as AIADMK factional feud deepens

The war is set to escalate further with Palaniswami-Panneerselvam combine convening a meeting of office bearers, MLAs, MPs on Monday where a resolution to unseat Sasikala could be adopted.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami (R) and O Panneerselvam greet supporters following merger of their factions, Chennai, on August 21.(File)
Updated on Aug 27, 2017 07:54 PM IST
Chennai, Hindustan Times | By

AIADMK merger: Panneerselvam-Palanisami bonhomie grows even as Dinakaran seethes

Deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam thanked chief minister E Palanisami on Wednesday for bringing him back to the fold and promised to tread the path chosen by MGR and Amma.

Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam leaves the Trichy Airport on Wednesday.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 23, 2017 11:54 PM IST
Chennai, Hindustan Times | By

AIADMK drama: Security tightened as Tiruchirapally braces for mega OPS-EPS rally

Wednesday’s rally will serve as a show of strength by Palanisamy and Panneerselvam, who challenged the dominance of the Sasikala-led Mannargudi family over the AIADMK to merge their factions two days ago.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami (right) and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam exchange greetings following the merger of their factions in Chennai on Monday.(PTI photo)
Updated on Aug 23, 2017 11:36 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK merger: Drama continues in Tamil Nadu as different actors step up action

DMK working president Stalin said the current government was reduced to a minority after 22 MLAs withdrew support and as such its continuation was unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Dinakaran launched his attack against the EPS-OPS camp by “sacking” R Vaithialingam, MP from AIADMK.

DMK working president M K Stalin said the governor ought to have ordered a floor test after the MLAs formally informed him about withdrawing their support.(PTI File Photo)
Updated on Aug 22, 2017 05:01 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK merger: MLAs loyal to Dinakaran take shelter at sea-side resort as DMK demands floor test

Dinakaran’s move could prove problematic for the AIADMK, whose Palaniswami and Panneerselvam factions merged on Monday, as the party won’t reach the majority mark of 118 in the Tamil Nadu assembly without the 19 dissidents.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami and his deptuy, O Panneerselvam, pay tributes at the memorial of J Jayalalithaa following a merger of their factions in Chennai on Monday.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 23, 2017 12:03 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Dinakaran loyalists gather at Jaya memorial after AIADMK merger, DMK ups ante

The merger of two AIADMK factions would in no way be beneficial to the people of Tamil Nadu, DMK MP and the party’s women’s wing leader Kanimozhi has said.

Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami (L) greets O Panneerselvam (R) after he was sworn in as the deputy chief minister in the presence of Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao (C) at Raj Bhavan in Chennai on Monday.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 21, 2017 11:42 PM IST
Chennai, Hindustan Times | By

AIADMK merger: End of the road for Sasikala? 7 reasons OPS camp wants her out

One condition laid down by the Panneerselvam camp for the merger of the AIADMK factions was that VK Sasikala be dismissed from the party.

File photo of VK Sasikala at Jayalalithaa's memorial at Marina beach in Chennai.(PTI Photo)
Updated on Aug 21, 2017 06:47 PM IST

AIADMK merger: Panneerselvam becomes deputy CM in Palaniswami govt

AIADMK factions led by chief minister K Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam came together on Monday after a bitter split about six months ago.

Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami (R) and O Panneerselvam exchange greetings following the merger of their factions in Chennai on Monday.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 22, 2017 04:37 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK factions set to merge today, Sasikala to be shown the door

The expected merger of AIADMK factions led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and rebel leader O Panneerselvam is likely to be sealed today with the formal expulsion of the party’s jailed general secretary Sasikala.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam arriving at his official residence at Greenways Road as part of merger talks with party supporters in Chennai last week.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 21, 2017 10:34 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK merger on Monday? Party may accept OPS camp demand to sack Sasikala

Party’s general council set to meet on Monday, may formalise Sasikala’s ouster to meet precondition set by former chief minister O Panneerselvam for merger.

Former chief minister O Panneerselvam on his way to participate in merger discussions on Friday.(PTI photo)
Updated on Aug 20, 2017 11:11 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | ByKV Lakshmana

Positive result on AIADMK factions merger in a day or two: Panneerselvam

The much expected merger on Friday night had failed to come off following reported divergent views among the members of the OPS faction.

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam at his residence.(HT File Photo)
Updated on Aug 20, 2017 12:59 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Turning Jayalalithaa’s Poes Garden residence into memorial is easier said than done

Deepa and Deepak Jayakumar, relatives of the late chief minister, insist that they are legal heirs to the coveted property. While Deepak wants the government to acquire their consent for turning the private home into public property, his sister has promised to take the matter all the way to the Supreme Court.

Deepa Jayakumar, niece of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa, has declared that she will oppose the government’s attempts to take over the Poes Garden residence.(PTI photo)
Updated on Aug 20, 2017 07:47 AM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK merger hits Sasikala roadblock, stalls formal announcement by EPS-OPS factions

News of a AIADMK merger were rife on Friday evening but a lack of consensus on the terms of the deal between the EPS and OPS factions put to bed a formal announcement.

Two wreaths kept ready at the AIADMK supremo J Jayalaithaa's memorial site for when chief minister EK Palaniswami and AIADMK faction leader O Panneerselvam arrive to pay their respects. The arrangements led to speculation that a merger would be announced soon.(PTI Photo)
Updated on Aug 18, 2017 11:59 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

AIADMK merger Highlights | OPS, EPS factions unlikely to make announcement as no consensus on deal

The ruling party in Tamil Nadu split in February, two months after its supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa died. Two factions emerged: one led by O Panneerselvam, and another by EK Palaniswami that was seemingly in favour of VK Sasikala, the late CM’s confidante.

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami at Jayalalithaa’s memorial on Marina beach in Chennai in February 2017. The memorial has become a venue of political importance(HT File Photo)
Updated on Aug 18, 2017 09:46 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | ByKV Lakshmana

AIADMK factions fail to arrive at consensus, merger talks to continue

The BJP sees an opportunity in the AIADMK bitter internal battle and subdued activities of former chief minister K Karunanidhi’s DMK to capture power in Tamil Nadu.

File photo of Tamil Nadu chief minister EK Palaniswami at the Jaya memorial in February after his swearing-in ceremony in Chennai.(PTI)
Updated on Aug 18, 2017 09:59 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Jayalalithaa death to be probed, CM Palaniswami takes step towards AIADMK merger

An investigation into the death of former Tamil Nadu chief J Jayalalithaa was a demand by the AIADMK faction led by O Panneerselvam ahead of an expected merger with the group under chief minister E Palanisami. Jayalalithaa’s residence, Poes Garden, will be turned into a memorial.

Supporters of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa pay tribute to her in Chennai. Jayalalithaa died in December last year.(AFP file)
Updated on Aug 17, 2017 05:36 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Activist Irom Sharmila marries British partner Desmond Coutinha in Kodaikanal

Rights activist Irom Sharmila decided to marry her long-time partner British citizen Desmond Coutinha after she quit politics following her defeat in the Manipur assembly elections.

Activist Irom Sharmila with her husband British citizen Desmond Coutinha after getting married in Tamil Nadu’s Kodaikanal.(HT Photo)
Updated on Aug 17, 2017 06:18 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai/Guwahati | ByKV Lakshmana and Rahul Karmakar

Dinakaran fights back: 14 MLAs attend his mammoth rally at Melur upsetting AIADMK merger plans

The ousted deputy general secretary of the AIADMK (Amma) faction draws huge support at the rally.

Fourteen AIADMK(Amma) legislators attended a mammoth rally party’s deposed deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran addressed at Melur in Madurai on Monday(PTI Photo)
Updated on Aug 14, 2017 11:53 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

NEET exemption: Tamil Nadu sends draft law to Delhi, Centre non-committal

Union commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters in Chennai recently that the Centre was likely to cooperate with Tamil Nadu if it brought in an ordinance

Tamil Nadu has been protesting against NEET for months, saying it was unfavourable to students from rural areas who usually wrote tests in Tamil and weren’t conversant in English.(Kunal Patil/HT Photo/For representation only)
Updated on Aug 14, 2017 05:28 PM IST

AIADMK factions in merger talks, rival DMK looks to move no-confidence motion

DMK’s working president Stalin alleged that the AIADMK was in utter confusion and thus unable to deal with the problems of Tamil Nadu while also losing the people’s support.

Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami during a meeting with ministers and senior leaders at the ruling AIADMK party headquarters in Chennai on August 10, 2017.(PTI Photo)
Updated on Aug 11, 2017 06:21 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | By

Superstars joining politics? Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan attend DMK event in Chennai

Kamal Haasan shared the dais with DMK leaders while ‘superstar’ Rajinikanth chose to sit in the audience at a party event in Chennai.

Rajinikanth at the 75th anniversary celebration of DMK mouthpiece ‘Murasoli.’(ANI Photo)
Updated on Aug 10, 2017 11:54 PM IST
Hindustan Times, Chennai | ByKV Lakshmana
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