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'Won't contest in Trichy bypoll': VCK chief

Chennai: VCK chief Thol Thirumavalavan on Tuesday announced that he will not contest in the Tiruchirappalli East Assembly constituency vacated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, as he has no desire to become a minister in the TVK cabinet.He would not contest in any by-elections and would not be influenced by anyone, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi founder said following speculation that the TVK's ally leader will make it to the Assembly from Tiruchirappalli East seat that was won by Vijay in the April 23 Assembly polls. Following his victory from two constituencies, Vijay vacated Tiruchirappalli East and retained Perambur constituency in Chennai."I am saying this 100 per cent that I will not contest in any by-elections nor will I be influenced by anyone," Thirumavalavan said in a video message and revealed that he was offered a chance to contest from the constituency, which was vacated by Vijay, as per ECI norms, with the promise of a ministerial berth upon his victory.Also Read: Congress seeks Rajya Sabha seat from ally Vijay's TVK"I have denied it from my side and I thank Chief Minister Vijay for the offer," he said.Thirumavalavan's VCK, along with the Left parties and IUML, had extended support to the Vijay-led TVK in forming the government while the Congress had joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in a post-poll pact. Apart from the Congress, both VCK and IUML legislators have been accommodated in the newly formed government.Explaining that his support to the TVK was extended only after consulting DMK president M K Stalin, he stressed that the support was mainly to prevent the implementation of the President's rule in Tamil Nadu."I have been a harshest critic of Vijay before the election and even accused him of attempting to divide the minority votes and hindering the progress of Secular Progress Alliance," the VCK chief said and rejected the TVK offer, stating that he was not power hungry and has always been committed to safeguarding the DMK-led alliance. Also, he stated that he need not become an MLA to get a role in the Cabinet.He has already communicated his decision to the TVK chief and said he earlier withdrew from the race when he was asked to contest from Kattumannarkoil in April this year in order to preserve the DMK-led combine's unity.Putting to rest speculation about his poll contest, Thirumavalavan said he was committed to the people, social justice and ideological integrity and appealed to his cadres and public not to pay attention to any rumours on contesting byelections.

US detains 30 Indians, begins deportation

New York: About 30 individuals from India, found to be living in the US illegally and working as commercial truck drivers, have been arrested as part of a federal operation and will soon be deported.The US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement Monday that during the week of May 11-15, Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector in Arizona arrested 52 individuals during 'Operation Checkmate' for being in the US illegally, including 36 who were found to be driving semi-trucks.Out of the 36 illegal semi-truck drivers arrested, 30 were from India, while the remaining six were from Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. They had commercial driver's licenses from states such as California, New York, Washington and Virginia, while some did not possess any form of driver's license. Most possessed employment authorisation documents, which were obtained during the Joe Biden administration and were no longer valid. All individuals were processed in accordance with federal law and will be deported.Also read: India-US meet to resolve final 'commas and full stops' of bilateral trade pactOperation Checkmate is aimed at enhancing public safety through enforcement of immigration statutes to detect and arrest illegal persons operating commercial motor vehicles in the country."Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety," Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the US Border Patrol's Yuma Sector Dustin Caudle said. Federal agents are on patrol every day to "ensure we stop these individuals and prevent more deadly crashes from occurring on the road across the United States."Under the administration of President Donald Trump, the Department of Transportation issued an order to stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses.Over the past several months, there have been instances of Indian-origin truck drivers arrested and charged with causing fatal crashes while driving commercial vehicles in the US.