Here are the big stories from Tamil Nadu today

1. R. Nallakannu, veteran Communist leader, no more

R. Nallakannu, the 101-year-old veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter, passed away at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai following prolonged illness and age-related ailments. Fondly known as ‘Comrade RNK’, he had served as the CPI State secretary for three tenures since 1992.

His body will be kept at the party’s State headquarters ‘Balan Illam’ at T. Nagar in Chennai for the public to pay homage till 3 pm tomorrow and as per his wish, the body will be donated to Madras Medical College for medical research.

2. Kannada actor Rajkumar abduction case: Madras HC confirms acquittal of Veerappan’s suspected aides

The Madras High Court dismissed a State appeal preferred in 2019 against the 2018 acquittal of nine individuals who were suspected to be the members of forest brigand Veerappan’s gang which abducted Kannada actor Rajkumar on July 30, 2000 and held him hostage for 108 days.

The court held that it did not find any reason to interfere with the well-reasoned trial court verdict.

3. PM Modi’s frequent visits to T.N. will backfire on NDA: CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin asserted that the more frequently Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tamil Nadu, the bigger would be the margin of defeat of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

While addressing an event held to distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries in Nagercoil, Mr. Stalin said, “As it is election season, the Prime Minister will be visiting Tamil Nadu more frequently, and he has already begun doing so.” Stating that Mr. Modi’s allies are anxious about his visits, Mr. Stalin noted, “The more frequently he comes here, the bigger the NDA’s margin of defeat.”