Tamil Nadu

Labour drift: South India industry feels absence of Bengal, Assam workers

Companies in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are offering incentives to migrant workers amid concerns over jobs, fuel costs and the impact of the West Asia crisis

TVK govt wins trust vote in TN Assembly, AIADMK rebel group backs govt

The floor test proceedings to prove the strength of the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK government were underway in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday with the Congress and Left parties extending support to the government while the opposition DMK staged a walkout and abstained from voting. BJP with its lone MLA, stayed 'neutral.' Earlier, Chief Minister Vijay moved a resolution seeking the confidence vote. Floor leaders of the respective parties were allowed to speak first. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami opposed the Vijay-led government in the proceedings. The party's rebel leader S P Velumani declared support to TVK government, even as the Palaniswami faction opposed him. The main opposition party, DMK, staged a walkout and abstained from taking part in the voting. Congress, CPI , CPI (M), VCK, IUML and AMMK extended support to the government while the BJP said its stand was "neutral." Anbumani Ramadoss-led PMK, which has four MLAs, said it was "abstaining." The vote

Tamil Nadu, UP, Delhi among top states in logistics performance index

Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Mizoram and Delhi have been categorised as 'exemplars' in the logistics performance ranking for 2025, according to a report released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Wednesday. The logistics index chart, released as part of LEADS (Logistics ease across different states) 2025 report, is an indicator of the efficiency of logistical services necessary for promoting exports and economic growth. 'Exemplars' represent the top-performing states and Union Territories (UTs) that demonstrate sustained excellence across policy, infrastructure, service delivery and regulatory dimensions in the logistics sector, as per the report. LEADS is the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade's (DPIIT) flagship national assessment of logistics performance across states and Union Territories and serves as an important benchmarking and reform tool for improving logistics efficiency across the country. The report was released by Commerce and Industry Minist

TN govt revokes order appointing astrologer Radhan Pandit as OSD to CM

The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday revoked its order appointing Rickey Radhan Pandit Vettrivel, an astrologer, as the Officer on Special Duty (OSD - Political) to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The decision to withdraw the Government Order (GO) comes less than 24 hours after the appointment was made on Tuesday, following a wave of sharp criticism from political opponents and allies of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alike. The appointment had sparked a heated debate in the State Assembly earlier in the day. Opposition leaders, including DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth, strongly condemned the move on the floor of the House, questioning the induction of an astrologer into a key political administrative role. Facing mounting pressure and backlash from various quarters, the Vijay-led administration moved quickly to rescind the appointment. Vettrivel, widely known as an astrologer, had been designated to handle political affairs in the Chief Minister's Office before

Vijay shuts 717 liquor outlets: Tamil Nadu's long battle with prohibition

Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay's decision to shut 717 TASMAC liquor outlets has revived the long-running debate over prohibition, liquor regulation and state-controlled alcohol sales in Tamil Nadu

CM Vijay orders closure of 717 retail liquor shops across Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Tuesday ordered the closure of 717 retail liquor outlets across the state. Considering the welfare of the public in mind, Vijay issued orders to shut down the retail liquor outlets. Accordingly, 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 shops near educational institutions, and 255 outlets near bus stands will be closed within the next two weeks, an official release said. There has been widespread demand, especially from women and a few political parties in the state, that all the liquor shops in the state should be closed. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) operates 4,765 retail liquor outlets across the state.

Shanmugam-led AIADMK faction backs Vijay-led TVK govt in Tamil Nadu

AIADMK faction led by senior MLAs S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam on Tuesday said that they have decided to support the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Speaking to reporters, Shanmugam said they would be meeting CM Vijay this afternoon to provide a letter supporting his government. He also alleged that party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami wanted to form a government with the support of DMK. "We opposed his (Palaniswami) decision, since AIADMK was formed only to defeat DMK," he added. Shanmugam also demanded that Palaniswami should immediately convene the party's general council meeting. AIADMK won 47 seats in the recently held Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

Ahead of crucial floor test, CM Joseph Vijay calls on DMK supremo Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday called on his predecessor, DMK President MK Stalin at the latter's Alwarpet residence here, days ahead of the crucial floor test the government is slated to face. After winning polls and assuming office as the chief minister, this is the first time Vijay was meeting Stalin and the visit was described by government sources as a "courtesy call." Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin accorded a warm welcome to CM Vijay. The meeting happens a day after Vijay's harsh criticism of the previous DMK regime for Rs 10 lakh crore debt burden on the state. He had also indirectly hit out at the DMK for "multiple power centres" and had asserted that he was the only power centre in his TVK regime. DMK chief Stalin had hit back at Vijay for his debt burden jibe. Later, Vijay called on MDMK founder Vaiko. Vijay's brief meeting with Stalin and Udhayanidhi happens days ahead of the crucial floor test in the TN Assembly to demonstrate the TVK regime'

Vijay takes oath as Tamil Nadu CM, promises new social justice era ahead

Amid whistles, TVK chief becomes first non-Dravidian CM to take oath in TN since 1969. Shine Jacob reports

After elections, new Cabinets confront mounting debt and fiscal pressures

New governments across states which underwent Assembly polls face a debt question as they try to deliver on their promises

Tamil govt appoints two IAS officers as secretaries to CM Vijay

The Tamil Nadu government has appointed two IAS officers to serve as official secretaries to the new Chief Minister Joseph C Vijay, who assumed office on Sunday. A state government order said that Dr P Senthil Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as Additional Chief Secretary-Secretary I to the CM. Similarly, the order stated that G Lakshmi Priya, Secretary of the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department, has been transferred and posted as Secretary II to the CM. Although Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam did not secure a majority on its own in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, its leader managed to secure support from the Congress, VCK, CPI, CPI(M) and IUML, bringing together 120 MLAs and crossing the 118-seat majority mark to form the government. Vijay also introduced three public welfare schemes related to electricity, women's safety and drug eradication in the state.

Newly elected TVK ministers signal departure from traditional governance

Following the high-profile ceremony on Sunday, in which TVK chief C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, newly inducted cabinet ministers signaled a radical departure from traditional governance, promising a "white paper" audit of all state departments and a "zero-interference" policy in administration. Vijay's victory in his debut election is being heralded as a historic shift that upended nearly six decades of Dravidian political dominance. Speaking to PTI Videos after the swearing-in, Minister Aadhav Arjuna described the election result as a "victory for the people", specifically crediting the youth and women of Tamil Nadu. Arjuna emphasised that the new administration would be anchored in transparency, secularism, and social justice. "Our leader and all ministers will provide a transparent government. We will work for all minority brothers and sisters and prioritise development," he stated. When questioned about the transition from the previous DMK-le

Vijay's rise from 'Thalapathy' of cinema to Tamil Nadu's 'Muthalvan'

When Vijay repeatedly asserted that the 2026 Assembly polls was a fight between his party, the TVK and the ruling DMK, many did not buy that argument. Not only on this point, but on several other aspects, TVK and Vijay differed from "mainstream" political parties and their conventional ways to seek votes. Vijay neither introduced candidates in all the constituencies nor toured all segments or vigorously campaigned in the traditional sense by addressing rallies. But his messages were forwarded again and again in social media and by word of mouth by his fans and followers. He neither met the press nor gave interviews and directly communicated to people via social media. Unusually, he focused on teens, youngsters/children to persuade their parents to vote for TVK. When polling crossed 85 per cent, Vijay, addressed himself as "Vijay Mama" (Vijay uncle) specially thanked "Kutti, Nanba, Nanbees" (little children) for guiding their families. Also, he brilliantly combined elements of ...

Vijay to take oath as TN CM today, Guv approves appointment of 9 ministers

The event marks the first non-Dravidian party to form the government in the state breaking the traditional domination of AIADMK and the DMK

Tamil Nadu govt formation suspense deepens as VCK delays support call

The uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu may clear by Saturday evening when VCK, a long time ally of the Left parties, is expected to spell out its stand on the crucial question of extending support to TVK to form government. The Vijay-led party faced serious allegations when NDA constituent AMMK accused it of alleged bid aimed at horse-trading. MLAs belonging to Congress, which has extended support to the TVK, have shifted to Hyderabad. After the Left parties declared unconditional support to TVK to form the government asserting it was to prevent BJP's backdoor entry through Governor and to respect the people's mandate, VCK founder chief Thol Thirumavalavan immediately went into a huddle with his party office-bearers through video-conferencing on Friday. While it was expected that the VCK would announce its stand on Saturday morning, the party has said the decision shall be made known by Thirumavalavan at 4 PM, setting the political circles abuzz over. In a return o

TN Cong MLAs shift to Hyderabad as TVK seeks numbers to form govt

With uncertainty continuing over government formation in Tamil Nadu, five Congress MLAs from the state were camping in Hyderabad on Saturday in an apparent move by the party to prevent any poaching attempts. Congress MLA P Viswanathan from Melur, who was formerly the AICC in-charge of party affairs in Telangana, was leading the group of five MLAs during their stay in Hyderabad, party sources said. The Congress has already declared its support for TVK, and Viswanathan is likely to become a minister if a TVK government is formed, the sources added. Actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which won 108 seats-10 short of a majority-had earlier reached out to the Congress, CPI, CPI(M), and VCK parties that had been allied with the DMK, seeking their support to form the government after emerging as the single largest party in its maiden Assembly election in Tamil Nadu, held on April 23. The VCK, a long-time ally of the Left parties, is expected to formally announce its support for the

AMMK chief files complaint against Vijay's TVK over 'forged' support letter

The AMMK has lodged a complaint with the Guindy police against the TVK, alleging the use of a "forged" support letter to stake claim for government formation, police said on Saturday.According to Guindy police, a petition has been received from AMMK General Secretary T T V Dhinakaran. However, officials confirmed that no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in the matter as of Saturday morning. The development followed a high-drama midnight visit by Dhinakaran to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Guindy Range. Speaking to reporters, the AMMK chief accused the Vijay-led TVK of submitting a forged photocopy of a letter to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, falsely claiming the support of AMMK's lone MLA-elect from Mannargudi, S Kamaraj. "The TVK, which claims to be a 'pure force,' has indulged in forgery and horse-trading," Dhinakaran stated. He alleged that the party attempted to bypass the anti-defection law by fabricating support. He also reveal

VCK to announce stance on backing TVK-led Tamil Nadu govt at 4 pm today

The VCK, a long-time ally of the Left parties, is expected to announce its support to the Vijay-led TVK on Saturday by following the stand of the communist parties. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi chief Thol Thirumavalavan has already announced that his party's decision would align with the decision of the Left parties that have already extended their support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in government formation. TVK MLA-designate Marie Wilson has expressed confidence that his leader Vijay would become Chief Minister soon. Despite five days since the election results were announced and the party's euphoric victory in securing 108 seats, the TVK members' excitement continues to rise as they await the major announcement today. VCK leader Vanniarasu, a close aid of the party founder, gave clear indication that Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi was keen on getting a share in power, which the TVK is prepared to offer. TVK president Vijay, who visited senior leaders of the left partie

VCK's X handle suspended amid TVK attempting coalition govt in Tamil Nadu

This development comes after a purported post by the VCK in support of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form a coalition government in the Tamil Nadu Assembly

Tamil Nadu class 12th results 2026 released with 95.20% pass percentage

The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examination (TNDGE) has declared the Class 12 HSE plus 2 results today, May 8, 2026, with 95.20% pass percentage, on the official websites