Skip to content

Tamil Nadu News

Latest news from Tamil Nadu - Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more

AIADMK weighs fielding Porkodi against Stalin in Kolathur
Politics

AIADMK weighs fielding Porkodi against Stalin in Kolathur

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is reportedly considering fielding Porkodi, the wife of late BSP leader Armstrong, against Chief Minister M K Stalin in Chennai’s Kolathur constituency. Stalin has been contesting from Kolathur since 2011, and he is widely expected to seek a fourth term from the seat. In previous elections, AIADMK had fielded candidates including former mayor Saidai Duraisamy, J C D Prabhakar and Adhirajaram. According to an AIADMK functionary, the party is now exploring Porkodi as a candidate. Armstrong had earlier won as a councillor in the 2006 Chennai Corporation election from a ward under the Kolathur area.

LPG sector urges ethanol makers to develop cooking fuel alternative
Business

LPG sector urges ethanol makers to develop cooking fuel alternative

New Delhi: The petroleum industry has urged ethanol producers to help convert ethanol into a viable cooking fuel, aiming to reduce India’s dependence on imported LPG. Speaking at a conference of the All India Ethanol Manufacturers Association, Ravi, Director of the Petroleum Industry Federation, said efforts are under way to develop cooking stoves that run on ethanol. He noted that the LPG Equipment Testing Centre and several IITs are involved in the initiative, and prototype models are expected to be introduced soon.

DMDK gets 10 seats in DMK alliance; Premalatha says party compromised
Politics

DMDK gets 10 seats in DMK alliance; Premalatha says party compromised

DMK and DMDK on Monday night signed their seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, allotting 10 constituencies to DMDK. The pact was signed at DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam in Chennai by DMK president M.K. Stalin and DMDK general secretary Premalatha. The agreement follows DMDK’s entry into the DMK-led alliance, under which DMDK has already been given a Rajya Sabha MP post. Vijayakanth’s brother-in-law Sudheesh was elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha.

Kamal says no to DMK’s two seats; MNM won’t contest Assembly polls
Politics

Kamal says no to DMK’s two seats; MNM won’t contest Assembly polls

Chennai: Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has announced that his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), will not contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election, even after the DMK indicated it was willing to allot two seats. According to his statement, MNM found both the reduced seat offer and the suggestion to contest on the DMK’s “Rising Sun” symbol unacceptable. Kamal said the “Torch Light” symbol is MNM’s identity and that he could not ignore the sentiments of party members and supporters.

DMK alliance to field 175 candidates under Rising Sun symbol
Politics

DMK alliance to field 175 candidates under Rising Sun symbol

Chennai: The DMK-led alliance is set to contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election with 175 candidates under the DMK’s Rising Sun symbol. According to details of the seat-sharing arrangement, nine alliance parties have been allotted 66 constituencies. Of these, candidates in 59 seats will contest using their respective party symbols. In seven constituencies, alliance partners will contest under the Rising Sun symbol—MDMK in three seats, MMK in two, and Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) in two.

DMK–Tavaka alliance split sparks fireworks in Tirunelveli
Politics

DMK–Tavaka alliance split sparks fireworks in Tirunelveli

A reported split between the DMK and its ally Tavaka has surfaced in Tirunelveli, drawing attention locally. According to the short video report published by Dinamalar, the fallout was accompanied by fireworks, signalling a visible and celebratory reaction to the break. The clip does not provide further details on the reasons behind the rift or the next steps for either side. More clarity is expected as the parties respond and outline their positions in the coming days.

Italy’s Meloni concedes referendum defeat, vows to stay on as PM
Politics

Italy’s Meloni concedes referendum defeat, vows to stay on as PM

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has conceded defeat in a constitutional referendum on judicial reform, while reaffirming that she will continue to lead the government. The referendum was held on March 22 and 23 to gauge public opinion on key changes, including separating the career tracks of judges and lawyers. Voter turnout crossed 58%, higher than expected. According to the results, 46.5% backed the government’s position while 53.5% voted against it, handing the reform proposal a loss.

Ranveer Singh’s ‘Duranthar 2’ crosses ₹800 crore worldwide in 5 days
Entertainment

Ranveer Singh’s ‘Duranthar 2’ crosses ₹800 crore worldwide in 5 days

Ranveer Singh-starrer ‘Duranthar 2’, titled ‘Duranthar: The Revenge’, has posted a massive opening run at the box office. The film has collected ₹519.12 crore net in India within five days, while its worldwide gross has crossed ₹800 crore, according to trade tracking reports. Released worldwide on March 19, the sequel follows an Indian Army intelligence operative who infiltrates Pakistan’s crime-terror network. The first part, released last December, was a major hit, and the second instalment has drawn strong audience response, with the narrative said to connect contemporary incidents and themes more directly.

Stalin asks Centre’s steps to shield people from West Asia war impact
Politics

Stalin asks Centre’s steps to shield people from West Asia war impact

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has asked what precautionary steps the Union government has taken to protect people from the impact of the West Asia war. In a statement, Stalin referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks that the country should be prepared for the conflict’s effects, and questioned whether the responsibility lies with the Centre or with citizens. He said he had written to the Prime Minister seeking uninterrupted availability of cylinders for all uses, the rescue of Tamils stranded in Gulf countries, and changes to gas supply restrictions for power stations.

Chennai gold dips in morning, rebounds by evening
Business

Chennai gold dips in morning, rebounds by evening

Jewellery gold prices in Chennai saw sharp swings on March 24, with rates falling in the morning and recovering by evening. According to the reported rates, 22-carat gold dropped by ₹2,720 per sovereign in the morning to ₹1,04,000, while the per-gram price slipped by ₹340 to ₹13,000. By evening, the trend reversed. Gold rose by ₹2,000 per sovereign to ₹1,06,000, and increased by ₹250 per gram to ₹13,250. Overall, the report said gold was still ₹720 lower compared with the previous day.

DMK–VCK seat talks, AIADMK meet and market cues: Key events on March 24
General

DMK–VCK seat talks, AIADMK meet and market cues: Key events on March 24

Several political, public health and market developments marked March 24 across Tamil Nadu and beyond. In Chennai, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) is set to chair a meeting of district secretaries. The party is expected to discuss alliance seat allocation and assess constituencies where partners could improve winning prospects. On the alliance front, DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) held the second round of seat-sharing talks on Tuesday and said an agreement was reached.

GK Vasan denies rift over seat-sharing talks in NDA alliance
Politics

GK Vasan denies rift over seat-sharing talks in NDA alliance

Chennai: Speculation surfaced on Tuesday that Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) was unhappy with seat-sharing in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), after party leader GK Vasan did not attend the talks held at the AIADMK office. The meeting in Chennai was convened to finalise constituency allocation among NDA partners in Tamil Nadu, including the AIADMK, BJP, AMMK and PMK. The discussions were held in the presence of BJP election in-charge Piyush Goyal and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.

VCK to contest alone in 3 Puducherry seats, says Thirumavalavan
Politics

VCK to contest alone in 3 Puducherry seats, says Thirumavalavan

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) will contest the upcoming Puducherry Assembly election on its own in three constituencies—Oussudu, Nettapakkam and Uzhavarkarai—party president Thol. Thirumavalavan has announced. Polling in Puducherry is scheduled for April 9. Thirumavalavan said seat-sharing talks within the INDIA alliance were dragged out, with Congress and the DMK deciding their respective seat counts only after nomination filing was completed. According to his statement, VCK had sought three seats, but the arrangement offered the party only one seat. He alleged that Congress, which is contesting a larger number of seats, did not come forward to allocate constituencies to smaller allies, while the DMK expressed willingness to give one seat to VCK.

Seven dogs escape moving truck, trek 17 km to reunite with owners
General

Seven dogs escape moving truck, trek 17 km to reunite with owners

A video from China has gone viral after showing seven dogs escaping from a moving truck and later making their way back to their owners by travelling around 17 km together. The incident was reported from a busy highway in Changchun city in Jilin province. According to the report, the dogs—belonging to different breeds—were allegedly taken and transported in a truck by people linked to a dog meat shop, before the animals managed to escape.

DMK alliance allots 8 seats to VCK, up by two from 2021
Politics

DMK alliance allots 8 seats to VCK, up by two from 2021

After multiple rounds of negotiations, the DMK and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) have signed a seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election. Under the pact, VCK has been allotted a total of eight constituencies, including two general constituencies. The allocation marks an increase of two seats compared with the 2021 Assembly election. In 2021, VCK had contested six seats—four reserved constituencies and two general constituencies. This time, the party has been allotted six reserved constituencies and two general constituencies.

DMK releases 13-candidate list for Puducherry Assembly polls
Politics

DMK releases 13-candidate list for Puducherry Assembly polls

The DMK on March 24 released its list of 13 candidates for the upcoming Puducherry Assembly election, scheduled to be held on April 9. The announcement comes after prolonged seat-sharing negotiations within the INDIA alliance in Puducherry, where differences emerged over contesting more seats. After multiple rounds of talks, the parties reached an agreement. As per the final arrangement, the Congress will contest 16 seats, the DMK 13 seats, and the Communist Party of India will contest one seat.

Thirumavalavan: Won’t risk alliance prospects over one or two seats
Politics

Thirumavalavan: Won’t risk alliance prospects over one or two seats

Chennai: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan said the party chose to finalise its seat-sharing agreement with the DMK-led alliance without creating disputes over “one or two constituencies”, as it could trigger unrest within the coalition and hurt its prospects. Speaking to reporters after signing the agreement, he said the party’s high-level committee had earlier resolved to seek a double-digit number of seats and also press for a Rajya Sabha berth that would fall vacant in 2028. He said these demands were discussed with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.

PM Modi to chair all-party meet in Delhi on West Asia crisis
Politics

PM Modi to chair all-party meet in Delhi on West Asia crisis

An all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held in Delhi on Tuesday, March 25, to discuss the evolving war situation in West Asia. The meeting is scheduled for 5 pm at the Parliament complex, with invitations sent to all political parties. According to the report, the conflict has intensified after the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran from February 28, with Iran responding in return. The developments have heightened tensions across the region.

No SC benefits after religious conversion, Supreme Court rules
Politics

No SC benefits after religious conversion, Supreme Court rules

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that members of Scheduled Castes who belong to Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism cannot claim Scheduled Caste benefits and constitutional protections if they convert to another religion. The case arose from a complaint filed by Chinthada Anand of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, who converted from Hinduism to Christianity and works as a preacher. He alleged that he was assaulted and abused with caste-based slurs, following which police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and filed a charge sheet.

Trump blames Defence Secretary Hegseth for starting Iran war
Politics

Trump blames Defence Secretary Hegseth for starting Iran war

Washington: US President Donald Trump has blamed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for pushing the United States toward war against Iran. The US-Israel conflict with Iran has entered its fourth week. Trump has put on hold for five days all planned military strikes targeting Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure, amid questions over who triggered the escalation. There are differing accounts of how the confrontation unfolded. Some observers say Israel was already preparing to launch attacks and that the developments eventually drew the United States into the conflict.

West Asia war needs dialogue, not escalation: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
Politics

West Asia war needs dialogue, not escalation: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Rajya Sabha that the ongoing West Asia war can be resolved only through dialogue, and said India has been in continuous contact with the United States, Israel and Iran. He said the conflict has intensified energy-related concerns and disrupted trade routes, affecting the regular supply of petrol, diesel, gas and fertilisers. With many Indians working in Gulf countries, he noted that protecting their lives and livelihoods remains a major concern for India.

Too Much Smartphone Use May Rewire Your Brain, Studies Warn
Health

Too Much Smartphone Use May Rewire Your Brain, Studies Warn

Chennai: From the moment people wake up to the time they fall asleep, smartphones have become inseparable from daily life. While many celebrate living in a “smart” world, recent studies are warning that excessive phone use may gradually alter how the brain functions. Researchers say prolonged screen time is linked to increased distraction, weaker memory and reduced decision-making ability. The reports point to the brain’s reward system, where repeated unlocking, scrolling and social-media “likes” can trigger dopamine release—creating short-lived pleasure that may reinforce compulsive checking.

Mohan Bhagwat urges citizens to report illegal immigrants to authorities
Politics

Mohan Bhagwat urges citizens to report illegal immigrants to authorities

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday urged citizens to identify illegal immigrants and report them to the appropriate authorities. He said people should remain vigilant about foreigners who have entered the country unlawfully. Speaking at the inauguration of the Jeevan Deep Ashram in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, Bhagwat said the public should ensure that such infiltrators do not find employment. At the same time, he cautioned against discrimination among the country’s own people.

Ignore DMK to keep children safe, says BJP leader Annamalai
Politics

Ignore DMK to keep children safe, says BJP leader Annamalai

BJP leader and former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Tuesday said that “fully ignoring the DMK” is the only way to ensure children’s safety in the state. In a statement, he referred to a case in Chennai in which a man identified as Bharath—described as a DMK 139th ward deputy organiser and a functionary in the party’s lawyers’ wing—was arrested under the POCSO Act. Annamalai alleged the accused had sexually harassed a 13-year-old girl over several years.

Indian Navy escorts two LPG tankers bound for India via Hormuz
General

Indian Navy escorts two LPG tankers bound for India via Hormuz

Two India-registered LPG tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are sailing towards India after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with Indian Navy warships providing security. The vessels—identified as Jag Vasanth and Pine Gas—are currently in the Gulf of Oman and are operating in close proximity, according to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary for Ports. Sinha said the ships are carrying a combined 92,612 tonnes of LPG. They crossed the Hormuz Strait via Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands.

Stalin rules out giving DMK-won seats to allies for next Assembly poll
Politics

Stalin rules out giving DMK-won seats to allies for next Assembly poll

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has firmly told alliance partners that the DMK will not allocate constituencies it won in the 2021 Assembly election to other parties in the upcoming poll, according to party sources. The DMK had won 133 seats in 2021 under the “Rising Sun” symbol and is keen to contest those constituencies again. However, the party is also considering replacing some sitting MLAs in these seats, citing public dissatisfaction and the need to field new faces.

Jagan Mohan Reddy–Sharmila family property dispute heads to tribunal hearing
Politics

Jagan Mohan Reddy–Sharmila family property dispute heads to tribunal hearing

A multi-crore family property dispute has intensified in Andhra Pradesh between former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister YS Sharmila, the state Congress chief. Their mother YS Vijayamma has publicly supported Sharmila, alleging unfair treatment in the division of assets. The disagreement traces back to the death of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in a 2009 helicopter crash. As no formal will was left, the family’s assets, businesses and political legacy became a point of contention, with Vijayamma stating that the properties have not been properly partitioned.

Seeman alleges voters are being misled with freebies like mixers
Politics

Seeman alleges voters are being misled with freebies like mixers

Chennai: Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Seeman on Sunday alleged that people were being misled during elections by distributing household items such as “anda, gunda and mixi”. He made the remarks while launching his campaign in Tiruttani after announcing candidates for all 234 Assembly constituencies. In his speech, Seeman said several groups—including doctors, nurses, teachers and farmers—were continuing protests, and questioned claims of “good governance” amid such unrest. He also criticised the practice of giving women Rs 5,000, asking whose money was being used and alleging that votes were being secured through payments.

Centre undoing Congress ‘sins’, says PM Modi on oil bonds and growth
Politics

Centre undoing Congress ‘sins’, says PM Modi on oil bonds and growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the current Union government is working to “wash away” what he described as the mistakes of the previous Congress-led government, referring to oil bonds issued during 2004–2010. Speaking at a TV channel event in Delhi, Modi said fuel and cooking gas prices were a major issue during that period. He alleged the Congress was more focused on retaining power than addressing public concerns.

Trump says US in talks with a top Iranian leader, declines to name
Politics

Trump says US in talks with a top Iranian leader, declines to name

Florida: US President Donald Trump said Washington is engaged in high-level talks with a “top person” in Iran, but refused to disclose the individual’s identity. His remarks come as the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran enters its fourth week. Earlier, Trump said progress in talks had led to a decision to pause a planned strike on power stations and energy infrastructure. Iran, however, has publicly denied that any negotiations are taking place with the United States.

Latest Updates