1. Nirmala Sitharaman, Stalin feud online over Centre’s letter on paddy incentive

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were engaged in a war of words on social media over a Union Finance Ministry’s communication to the Chief Secretaries of all States regarding incentive for paddy, which was issued earlier on January 9.

Mr. Stalin, during an election campaign in Thanjavur last week, contended that the Centre has advised the Tamil Nadu government to discontinue providing incentive for the paddy procured from farmers, claiming it was leading to excessive production.

2. Coimbatore cable TV operator arrested for telecasting leaked footage of ‘Jana Nayagan’

The Coimbatore District (Rural) Police arrested a local cable TV operator for telecasting a leaked version of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay’s much-anticipated movie Jana Nayagan, which is yet to hit the big screen.

S. Palanisamy (44) of Karumathampatti, who operates Rasi cable TV network in the region, was booked late last night, based on a complaint lodged by TVK functionary Mohanapriya.

3. One dead in fireworks explosion in Virudhunagar district

A 38-year-old worker was killed and two others were critically injured in an explosion at Excel Fireworks at Chathrapatti near Vembakottai in Virudhunagar district. The Vembakottai police are investigating the incident.

4. T.N. Assembly election: 4,023 candidates in fray

A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray in all 234 Assembly constituencies. Of them, 3,579 are men, 443 are women, and one from the third gender. 

Meanwhile, the State-run liquor shops aka TASMAC shops will remain closed for three days from April 21 on account of the Assembly election to be held across Tamil Nadu on April 23.

5. Vijay appeals against single judge’s refusal to strike down ₹1.5-crore income tax penalty

Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has filed a writ appeal before the Madras High Court against the refusal of a single judge to interfere with the imposition of a penalty of ₹1.5 crore on him by the Income Tax (I-T) department for not having voluntarily disclosed an additional income of ₹15 crore during the financial year 2015-16.