Skip to content

Tamil Nadu News

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

AIADMK alliance finalises seat-sharing: BJP 27, PMK 18, AMMK 11
Politics

AIADMK alliance finalises seat-sharing: BJP 27, PMK 18, AMMK 11

Seat-sharing in the AIADMK-led alliance was finalised on Monday in Chennai, with the BJP, PMK and AMMK receiving their allocations. According to the agreement, the BJP will contest 27 seats, the PMK 18 and the AMMK 11. The discussions were held with AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami, following earlier talks involving BJP leaders and a meeting between Palaniswami and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi last week. The negotiations, which had been conducted discreetly until now, were formally taken up by the AIADMK on Monday.

Seeman says NTK is the only opposition to all parties in this election
Politics

Seeman says NTK is the only opposition to all parties in this election

NTK chief coordinator Seeman launched his election campaign on Sunday at the Tiruttani Murugan temple, arriving with a spear (vel) and offering prayers before addressing the media. Speaking to reporters, Seeman said that while other parties view it as an election, for his party it is “a war”. He said his campaign would focus on delivering good governance and claimed he would work to transform the country into one that the world would look up to.

Two Kerala residents die after car trapped in flash flood in Oman
General

Two Kerala residents die after car trapped in flash flood in Oman

Two people from Kerala died after their car was caught in a sudden flash flood in Oman, according to reports from Palakkad. The victims were Shamla (32) of Thrithala in Palakkad district, wife of Lubishath, who heads the INKAS organisation in Oman, and Yusuf (38), also from Thrithala, who was engaged in business there. Yusuf and members of Lubishath’s family had travelled together in a single car to the Barka tourist spot in Oman to spend the Ramadan holiday and were returning when the flooding occurred.

Saudi pressure on Pakistan to act against Iran, report says
Politics

Saudi pressure on Pakistan to act against Iran, report says

Riyadh is reportedly pressing Pakistan to take action against Iran, after Saudi crude oil production facilities were said to have come under attack from Iran. Saudi leaders have pointed to a mutual security agreement signed in 2025 to justify the call. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are close partners, and the pact states that an attack on either country would be treated as an attack on the other. With Saudi claiming it is facing Iranian strikes, Riyadh is said to want Islamabad to respond under the terms of the agreement.

PM Modi urges coordinated action to ease public hardship amid West Asia war
Politics

PM Modi urges coordinated action to ease public hardship amid West Asia war

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked all government departments to work in close coordination to reduce inconvenience to the public arising from the ongoing war in West Asia. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the Prime Minister, reviewed the current situation, the steps already taken and the measures being planned across ministries. The Cabinet Secretary briefed the committee on the evolving scenario and the government’s preparedness.

EC to add benches, mobile deposit rooms at polling stations
Politics

EC to add benches, mobile deposit rooms at polling stations

The Election Commission has decided to introduce additional facilities at polling stations to improve voter convenience. The measures include placing benches for voters to sit while waiting in queues and creating a separate room outside the entrance for depositing mobile phones. In a statement, the Commission said polling stations will be equipped with drinking water, waiting areas, toilets and adequate lighting. It also listed ramps for voters with disabilities, improved voting compartments and clear guidance signboards as part of the arrangements.

Dhinakaran urges Amit Shah for 12 seats in NDA for AMMK
Politics

Dhinakaran urges Amit Shah for 12 seats in NDA for AMMK

Chennai: AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to allot at least 12 seats to his party in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The Assembly election is scheduled to be held on April 23. Against this backdrop, Dhinakaran met Shah in New Delhi day before yesterday, and also held talks with BJP’s Tamil Nadu in-charge Piyush Goyal. During the meetings, Dhinakaran pressed for a double-digit seat share for AMMK within the NDA, with a specific request for a minimum of 12 constituencies.

Kanimozhi vows maximum punishment in Vilathikulam student case
Politics

Kanimozhi vows maximum punishment in Vilathikulam student case

DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi on Sunday met and consoled the family of a Class 12 student who was sexually assaulted and killed at Vedanatham village near Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district. During the visit, Kanimozhi assured the family of continued support. She said the party would help with the education expenses of the deceased student’s sister and extend assistance related to employment. Speaking to reporters later, she said the police had acted swiftly and arrested the person concerned, which she said could help provide some sense of calm to the affected family.

Russian crude tanker rerouted from China reaches New Mangalore port
Business

Russian crude tanker rerouted from China reaches New Mangalore port

New Delhi: With crude oil supplies tightening due to escalating conflict in West Asia, a Russian crude tanker originally bound for China has arrived in India after a sudden mid-voyage diversion. The cargo vessel Aqua Titan, carrying Russian crude meant for China’s Rizhao port, changed its route in the South China Sea and reached New Mangalore Port in Karnataka. Officials expect six more Russian crude ships to arrive soon, which could help stabilise availability.

Jodhpur court annuls child marriage, grants divorce to young woman
General

Jodhpur court annuls child marriage, grants divorce to young woman

A family court in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, has declared a child marriage invalid and granted divorce to a young woman who was married at the age of 12 in 2016. According to the case details, the marriage took place during a community ritual known as “Mouser”, followed by some families in the Bishnoi community after a death in the family, where multiple children within related families are married. The woman told the court that the marriage was conducted under pressure due to parental and social circumstances. After she grew older, she faced continued pressure from her parents and her in-laws to live with her husband, prompting her to seek legal relief.

Vijay to meet 115 TVK candidates today over nomination papers
Politics

Vijay to meet 115 TVK candidates today over nomination papers

Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has called 115 people selected as the party’s candidates to report to its headquarters today. TVK is set to contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly election on its own. From among party functionaries who submitted applications seeking tickets, 115 have been shortlisted and are said to form the first batch of candidates. Party leader Vijay has already held consultations with them in two phases and has instructed them to prepare their nomination papers.

Five-state Assembly polls: Will SIR voter roll revision shift results?
Politics

Five-state Assembly polls: Will SIR voter roll revision shift results?

Political parties have been preparing for months for Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, West Bengal and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The Election Commission has now announced the polling schedule and the date for counting. According to the schedule, Tamil Nadu votes on April 23. Assam, Kerala and Puducherry go to the polls in a single phase on April 9, while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

NR Congress picks candidates by ‘lemon’ ritual in Puducherry
Politics

NR Congress picks candidates by ‘lemon’ ritual in Puducherry

Candidate selection in elections usually follows a familiar route—applications, interviews and internal lists. But in Puducherry’s NR Congress, a different method is said to be in practice, with no formal applications received so far and no interviews conducted. According to the report, aspirants arrive with completed nomination papers and wait at the Appa Paithiyam Swamy temple located near Chief Minister N Rangasamy’s residence. They hand over the nomination-related request to him while he is at the temple.

Writer warns ‘poverty mindset’ is holding Tamil Nadu back
Politics

Writer warns ‘poverty mindset’ is holding Tamil Nadu back

Tamil writer Araathu has criticised what he calls a growing “poverty mindset” in Tamil Nadu, arguing that political claims of rapid economic progress clash with election promises centred on cash benefits. He defines the mindset as a willingness to queue up for government handouts regardless of one’s income or assets, and says parties have normalised this through years of “poverty politics”. According to him, this has also made vote-buying talk socially acceptable, with parties and voters openly treating money as part of the electoral exchange.

Union ministers to meet Dalit, Muslim representatives in Tamil Nadu
Politics

Union ministers to meet Dalit, Muslim representatives in Tamil Nadu

Union ministers are expected to meet Dalit and Muslim representatives in Tamil Nadu, following a recent interaction with Christian priests and pastors in Chennai, according to BJP sources. The sources alleged that the DMK and its allies have been spreading what they called false propaganda portraying the BJP as a communal party and as being against Christians, Muslims and Dalits. They said the Union government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented multiple schemes aimed at benefiting all sections of society.

DMK cadres seek Papanasam seat, citing 55 years without direct win
Politics

DMK cadres seek Papanasam seat, citing 55 years without direct win

DMK functionaries in Thanjavur district’s Papanasam Assembly constituency have urged the party leadership to allot the seat to the DMK for the upcoming election. They argue that the party has not secured a direct victory in the constituency for decades. In the 2021 Assembly election, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) leader Jawahirullah, a DMK alliance partner, contested from Papanasam on the DMK’s “Rising Sun” symbol and won. He is now seeking the same constituency again, but local DMK members say the party itself should field a candidate this time.

Sarathkumar says BJP role needed to work; hints at reviving his party
Politics

Sarathkumar says BJP role needed to work; hints at reviving his party

Actor-politician R. Sarathkumar on Sunday expressed dissatisfaction over not being given a position in the BJP, saying he can work effectively only if he holds a post. He made the remarks after a meeting with his supporters in T. Nagar, Chennai. Sarathkumar had merged his Samathuva Makkal Katchi with the BJP in 2024. His wife, actor Radhika, contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Virudhunagar and lost. Sarathkumar is currently a member of the BJP national general council.

Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Politics

Trump gives Iran 48-hour ultimatum to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh public warning to Iran, saying it must reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours or face attacks targeting key electricity generation facilities. The warning comes amid escalating conflict after the US and Israel launched military action against Iran last month on the 28th, in which Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed. Iran has since carried out retaliatory strikes aimed at Israel and US military bases in West Asia.

Readers allege bribes at Gomangalam sub-registrar office in Tiruppur
Crime

Readers allege bribes at Gomangalam sub-registrar office in Tiruppur

Two readers from Tiruppur district’s Udumalai taluk have alleged that they were forced to pay bribes to complete document registration at the Gomangalam sub-registrar office. The complaints were shared as part of a weekly reader-feedback series highlighting alleged corruption. In the first account, a resident of Anikkadavu–Ramachandrapuram village said he approached the office in 2025 to execute a sale deed for his land. He alleged that a woman sub-registrar refused to proceed citing “various reasons” and demanded Rs 4 lakh as a bribe.

US plans gold coin with Trump image for 250th Independence Day
Politics

US plans gold coin with Trump image for 250th Independence Day

Washington: As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of its Independence Day, the White House is planning large-scale celebrations for July 4. To coordinate the event, a special committee has been formed. Officials said the commemorations are intended to highlight the country’s progress over 250 years, its democratic values and goals for the future. The US Commission of Fine Arts has approved the release of special commemorative coins and postage stamps to mark the milestone. Once final specifications are set, the coin will be minted.

TVK quits DMK alliance; Velmurugan cites unmet demands, makes Maoist remark
Politics

TVK quits DMK alliance; Velmurugan cites unmet demands, makes Maoist remark

Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (TVK) leader Velmurugan on Sunday announced that his party has withdrawn from the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Velmurugan said TVK functions with a “political leadership group” that includes the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army, Maoist organisations and the Tamil Nadu Recovery Force, and therefore he cannot take decisions unilaterally. He said his party had extended support to the DMK on the basis of a minimum common programme, but alleged that when TVK sought implementation, the DMK responded in a dismissive manner. He also claimed there was no action on implementing 10.5% reservation for Vanniyars and on conducting a caste-based census, blaming what he described as upper-caste, RSS-ideology officials influencing the Chief Minister.

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Politics

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Washington: US President Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, demanding that the Strait of Hormuz be fully reopened without any threat or disruption. In a public post, Trump warned that if Iran fails to comply within the deadline, the United States would strike and destroy multiple Iranian power stations, adding that the largest facility would be targeted first. The warning comes as the conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran has continued for more than 20 days. Iran, in its response, has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key international route for oil shipments.

DMK uneasy as allies seek 6 of 10 Coimbatore seats; intel report offers relief
Politics

DMK uneasy as allies seek 6 of 10 Coimbatore seats; intel report offers relief

Coimbatore: With 10 Assembly constituencies in Coimbatore district, DMK functionaries have expressed discomfort over alliance partners seeking as many as six seats. However, party circles say an intelligence report has indicated that allocating more seats to allies may not yield the expected level of electoral success, offering some reassurance to DMK cadres. In the previous election, the DMK failed to secure victory in any of the 10 constituencies in the district. This time, the party is aiming to win across the board, and its campaign planning in the Kongu region is being led by Senthil Balaji, who has been assigned responsibility for 39 constituencies.

Gold bars worth Rs 4.51 crore seized at Sivaganga flying squad check
Crime

Gold bars worth Rs 4.51 crore seized at Sivaganga flying squad check

Gold bars valued at Rs 4.51 crore were seized during a vehicle inspection at the SS Kottai check-post in Sivaganga district early on March 22. With the election model code of conduct in force, the election flying squad was conducting checks in the Tiruppathur Assembly constituency limits. The inspection was led by Balamurugan, BDO of Kallal, as part of the static surveillance team. Officials found the gold bars being transported in a car without proper documents and seized the consignment.

Puducherry INDIA alliance talks stall as Congress skips meeting
Politics

Puducherry INDIA alliance talks stall as Congress skips meeting

Seat-sharing talks within the INDIA alliance in Puducherry hit a fresh snag after Congress representatives failed to attend a scheduled meeting with the DMK. According to the report, the DMK’s negotiation team, including Puducherry election in-charge Jagathrakshakan and state organisers Siva, Nazim and MLA Sampath, waited from 10 am at a hotel in Puducherry for discussions to begin. Congress leaders, expected to arrive under the leadership of AICC in-charge Girish Chodankar, did not show up even after the DMK team waited until late evening. The DMK delegation reportedly left the venue in frustration.

THAVAKA quits DMK alliance; CSK ‘ROAR 26’ reunion and key events today
General

THAVAKA quits DMK alliance; CSK ‘ROAR 26’ reunion and key events today

Several political, religious and sports events are lined up across Tamil Nadu and abroad on Saturday, March 22. In a key political development ahead of the 2026 Assembly election, Tamilaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi (THAVAKA) president Velmurugan met reporters and officially announced that the party is withdrawing from the DMK-led alliance. Within the DMK, interviews were held on Saturday for applicants seeking tickets in constituencies across Cuddalore and Villupuram districts. Chief Minister M K Stalin is scheduled to conduct interviews in the evening for Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts.

LPG cargo ship from Texas arrives at New Mangalore Port
Business

LPG cargo ship from Texas arrives at New Mangalore Port

An LPG cargo vessel, Pyxis Pioneer, has arrived at New Mangalore Port in Mangaluru, bringing a fresh shipment from Texas, USA, as tensions continue to simmer in West Asia. The report said the situation escalated after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Iran’s retaliatory actions. With the Strait of Hormuz reportedly blocked, global oil movement through a key maritime route has been disrupted, leading to concerns over crude supply.

Cuba says it is ready to face any US threat, rejects talks on leadership
Politics

Cuba says it is ready to face any US threat, rejects talks on leadership

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said the country is prepared to face “any threat” from the United States, warning that Cuba will not remain a passive observer amid rising tensions. The remarks come as Cuba faces a severe economic crunch, with power cuts and fuel shortages reported after the United States blocked crude oil supplies from Venezuela to Cuba. The report also notes that Washington has linked the lifting of restrictions to a demand that Díaz-Canel be removed from office.

Saudi orders 5 Iranian embassy staff to leave within 24 hours
Politics

Saudi orders 5 Iranian embassy staff to leave within 24 hours

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has condemned what it described as Iran’s continued attacks and ordered five Iranian diplomatic staff to leave the kingdom within 24 hours. The move comes after Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had warned Iran to halt attacks on Gulf countries, saying continued strikes could force a military response. Saudi officials said the attacks nevertheless continued. Saudi Arabia said the five, including a military attaché, have been declared persona non grata. The 24-hour deadline has heightened tensions in the region.

Tawaka quits DMK alliance; Velmurugan cites seat dispute
Politics

Tawaka quits DMK alliance; Velmurugan cites seat dispute

Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi (Tawaka) leader Velmurugan on Saturday announced that his party is withdrawing from the DMK-led alliance, adding to the coalition’s troubles ahead of the election. Velmurugan, a two-time MLA from Panruti earlier elected on a PMK ticket, later formed Tawaka. In the last election, he contested as part of the DMK alliance and won from Panruti. Despite being in the alliance, he frequently clashed with ministers and the Speaker in the Assembly, which, according to the report, had led to strong dissatisfaction within the DMK. Velmurugan had also been pressing from the outset for more seats for his party, a demand the DMK did not accept.

Latest Updates