S. Keerthana has created history as the first woman MLA from Sivakasi, a town famed for firecracker production. Her campaign drew buzz after she began speaking fluent Hindi to reach a broader audience, amid Tamil Nadu’s language politics. Previously a political consultant and a TVK C. Joseph Vijay admirer, she centred her push on safety, healthcare, and welfare for firecracker workers.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state takes pride in the Marathi language and urged everyone to learn it, with the government offering support. At the same time, he made it clear that violence or controversy tied to language will not be acceptable. He also pointed to Maharashtra’s economic strength and wished people on International Labour Day.
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Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin reignited a language row by asserting that states that implement Hindi eventually lose their mother tongues. He pointed to Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Punjab as examples, while invoking the legacy of the Tamil language movement linked to Periyar and C N Annadurai. BJP responded sharply to the claim as the dispute escalated.
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