Tamil Nadu Elections

Decision will be taken on plea to hold single phase polls in TN: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday said parties in Tamil Nadu have suggested holding Assembly polls in a single phase and a decision on it would be taken after considering all the factors. The Election Commission's decision over 'phases for polls' will be known once the election schedule is announced, he said addressing a press conference here. On the recently concluded SIR of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, he lauded it as a model for country and a great success. The top poll official assured amenities in 75,000 polling stations across the state. On the vote counting exercise, he said that mandatory VVPAT counting shall take place and even after counting is over, any candidate, on fee payment, can match EVM with VVPAT during next 7 days. Amongst the new initiatives, one major was that postal ballots will be counted 2 rounds before the EVM rounds.

Expelled AIADMK leader, 3-time Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam joins DMK

OPS, who had functioned as AIADMK Treasurer and also held the erstwhile top position of party coordinator, joined the DMK along with his son, P Ravindhranath Kumar and supporters

Home ministry allots 50 companies of CAPF to poll-bound Tamil Nadu

The Ministry of Home Affairs has allotted an initial 50 companies of the CAPF to Tamil Nadu as a proactive security measure ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said the initial batch of 50 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) would be inducted on March 10, 2026. "50 companies of the CAPF have been initially allotted to Tamil Nadu by Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, for area domination, confidence-building measures in connection with the General Elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly," an official release from the Chief Electoral Officer said on Tuesday. The Assembly elections are expected to be held in April 2026 to elect all 234 members of the Legislative Assembly in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry.

PM Modi pays tributes to Jayalalithaa, hails her welfare work for TN women

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid glowing tribute to late chief minister of Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa, whose birth anniversary falls two days later, saying she lives in the hearts of people for her efforts towards the welfare of women and maintenance of law and order. In his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, Modi said just a mention of "Amma" -- as Jayalalithaa was often called -- brings a glow to the faces of the people of Tamil Nadu. In India, those who have worked for the welfare of society, those who have prioritised the public in their noble deeds, always remain in the hearts of the people, the prime minister said, paying tributes to the AIADMK leader ahead of her birth anniversary on February 24. Jayalalithaa was one such popular leader, Modi said, adding that he still feels the deep affection the people of Tamil Nadu had for her when he visits the state. Modi said the country's 'Nari Shakti's' connection with her has been even more special due to her commendabl

TVK rules out alliance with BJP, alleges Centre pressure, CBI action

On alliances, Raj said the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had announced that talks would begin on the February 22, but the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMK) joined earlier than expected

FM tables Interim Budget, accuses Centre of 'unfairly' treating Tamil Nadu

Presenting the Interim Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu on Tuesday said the union government appears to leave no stone unturned to artificially precipitate a fiscal crisis in Tamil Nadu. Making Budgetary allocations and explaining the flagship schemes of the government and its impact, the Minister said in a federal polity, there were several instances in the past where states had been unfairly treated by the union government. He further said: "However, I firmly believe that the extent of challenges faced by this government is unprecedented. In every field, be it denial of sanction of major infrastructure projects for Tamil Nadu, withholding of release of funds for centrally sponsored schemes, curtailment of tax revenues without due consultation, or unfair imposition of conditions to mandate expenditure, the union government appears to leave no stone unturned to artificially precipitate a fiscal crisis in Tamil Nadu." He listed the ...

Stalin credits ₹5,000 to TN women under Kalaignar Scheme ahead of polls

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said the state government has deposited Rs 5,000 each to 1.31 crore women beneficiaries of the government's women entitlement scheme. Also, he announced to double the monthly grant to Rs 2,000 if his DMK party was voted to power in the upcoming Assembly election. Noting that Rs 5,000 has been directly deposited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries of Kalaignar Women's Entitlement scheme, he said, "You would have received Rs 5,000 this morning. I have decided to provide the sum in view of an attempt (by vested interests) to freeze the scheme citing upcoming elections." So, in order to counter the move to prevent the women from receiving the monthly financial assistance due for them, he had decided to provide the sum for three months from February and in addition provide Rs 2,000 to meet their expenses during summer, he said in a video message posted on his social media platform 'X.' "Further, the monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 w

Stalin urges PM Modi to expedite TN rail projects, release pending funds

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his urgent intervention to direct the Ministry of Railways to expedite sanctioned projects in the state by releasing required funds and reviving those kept in abeyance. Stalin highlighted that the progress of several crucial railway projects is being hindered by "delays in releasing funds by the Ministry of Railways" and the practice of providing partial funding for individual projects. He noted that while the state government has granted administrative approval for acquiring 2,500.61 hectares for various federal railway projects, the Railway Department is yet to allocate funds for 931.52 hectares, an official release said. "The delays in releasing funds and the piecemeal allocation... have hindered the progress of railway projects in Tamil Nadu," the chief minister stated, adding that this has created a state of "prolonged uncertainty" for affected landowners. Stalin pointed out that land

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin launches DMK manifesto portal ahead of 2026 polls

The portal will enable people from all sectors of society to submit ideas and suggestions for the party's election manifesto

The economics and art of giving: TN elections may revive freebie debate

With elections in Tamil Nadu approaching, the 'investment or freebie' debate, as part of the overall development question, is likely to resume

Piyush Goyal meets AIADMK chief Palaniswami, initiates seat sharing talks

Union Minister Piyush Goyal will interact with senior BJP functionaries and meet Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi during his brief visit to Chennai on Tuesday. On his maiden visit to the state after taking over as the BJP's election in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Goyal will also meet AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami. "He would interact with the state leaders to assess their preparedness for the 2026 Assembly election. The meeting is likely to be more of a familiarisation exercise since he took charge on December 15, a senior BJP leader told PTI. A source in the AIADMK said Goyal would meet Palaniswami for a luncheon meeting, setting the tone for future negotiations on seat sharing between the BJP and the AIADMK, which leads the NDA in the state. Goyal would wind up his visit by meeting Ravi in the evening.

ECI releases draft electoral roll for Tamil Nadu; over 970K voters removed

Since this is a draft list, electors will have an opportunity to appeal to have their names included, with the "Claims and Objections" period running from December 19 to January 18, 2026

'DMK is an evil force': TVK's Vijay in first rally since Karur tragedy

Throughout his speech, Vijay criticised the DMK over issues like law and order and the row over Tamil Nadu seeking exemption from the NEET exam

Controversy over SIR in TN baseless, driven by political motives: ECI to SC

Election Commission tells Supreme Court allegations are exaggerated, cites high verification and political participation

Vijay's party authorises actor to decide on alliance for 2026 polls

A special general council meeting of Vijay-led TVK on Wednesday authorised the actor-politician to take a call on the party's alliance for next year's Assembly polls and announced him as its Chief Ministerial candidate. The special meeting of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam was held at a private hotel in Mahabalipuram near here under the leadership of the actor, who turned up in his trademark white shirt and stubbled look. A total of 12 resolutions on issues including the recurring arrests of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan navy, women's safety in the state--the latest sexual assault of a woman in Coimbatore was highlighted, and the SIR of electoral rolls was adopted. The resolution authorising the party founder to decide on alliance for the Assembly polls was unanimously adopted at the general council, the party's decision-making body. Vijay is "the CM candidate loved by all sections of people. Under his leadership, will face the 2026 polls and authorise him to take a

Karur stampede: What went wrong at actor Vijay's rally that left 39 dead?

Thirty-nine people, including women and children, were killed and at least 65 injured in a stampede at Vijay's Karur rally, raising concerns over planning and safety at political events

Tusk's govt wins confidence vote as political tensions rise in Poland

Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government survived a confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, shoring up its mandate after the nationalist opposition's victory in Poland's presidential election deepened political gridlock and raised doubts about Tusk's ability to deliver on key reforms. Lawmakers voted 243-210 in favour of the government in the 460-seat Sejm, the lower house, with supporters rising to applaud Tusk and chant his name. Tusk had requested the vote, saying Poland is in a new reality and that he was seeking a fresh opening, following the June 1 loss of Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski his close ally to nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki. Backed by President Donald Trump, Nawrocki is set to replace Andrzej Duda, another conservative who repeatedly blocked Tusk's reform efforts. I am asking for a vote of confidence with full conviction that we have a mandate to govern, to take full responsibility for what is happening in Poland, Tusk said earlier in the day. Most of t

Amit Shah visits Madurai to boost BJP prep for 2026 Tamil Nadu polls

Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah arrived here on Saturday night, his second crucial visit to Tamil Nadu in two months, to rev up the party machinery ahead of the 2026 Assembly election in the state. His visit has materialised exactly a week after the ruling DMK conducted its crucial general council meeting here and passing resolutions condemning the Centre. It also comes in the backdrop of a wrangle for leadership among the father-son duo in the PMK, BJP's ally, and amidst a resentment expressed by DMDK, an ally of the opposition AIADMK with whom Shah cobbled up an alliance during his April 10 visit to Chennai, over not allotting a Rajya Sabha seat to it (DMDK) as promised by the AIADMK in 2024. Further, former Chief Minister and ousted AIADMK leader O Panneerselvam had recently regretted that Shah had not called on him during the Chennai visit. His position like that of T T V Dhinakaran, though heading a fringe party, is still unclear about their support to the BJP's ..

Alliance or not: The Tamil Nadu factor in Puducherry Assembly polls

Political leaders feel alliances in Tamil Nadu are binding in Puducherry as well, and that is both a blessing and a bane

TN launches India's first state electronics component manufacturing scheme

Under the scheme, the state government will provide matching grants to complement the incentives offered by the Union government's electronic component schemes