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Former minister and DMK candidate Senthil Balaji said he would never accept the practice of giving money for votes, adding that both offering and receiving cash are wrong. Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Balaji said the DMK was campaigning with the aim of winning all 10 Assembly constituencies in the district and expressed confidence that voters would back the party. He said the focus was on conducting the election smoothly.
Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to DMK members urging them to remain vigilant through polling day and ensure that every supportive vote is secured in a dignified manner. In the letter, he said the achievements of the five-year “Dravidian Model” government have benefited households across Tamil Nadu, while the BJP-led NDA—along with the AIADMK and allied parties—has continued to “cheat” the state. He claimed voters understand that backing the AIADMK-led alliance effectively helps the BJP, and asserted that the electorate is determined to defeat the BJP-led front and vote for the DMK-led secular progressive alliance.
Parents in Tamil Nadu are raising questions about actor-turned-politician Vijay’s public silence on steering young fans away from drug use, even as large crowds of youth gather wherever he appears. According to the concerns voiced, some followers display extreme fan behaviour—shouting, chasing his convoy on bikes and declaring unwavering political support—prompting families to worry about the influence such celebrity-driven devotion can have on impressionable youngsters. The criticism comes amid allegations that ganja and other narcotics are increasingly circulating among youth in the state, with parents linking substance abuse to a rise in sexual offences and other social problems.
Ceasefire extended amid uncertainty US President Donald Trump has announced an extension of the temporary ceasefire with Iran, even as tensions remain high and fresh peace talks appear uncertain. Background to the conflict The US and Israeli forces carried out a joint strike on Iran on February 28, after which Iran began retaliatory actions and shut the Strait of Hormuz. The move disrupted global crude oil supplies, prompting international pressure that led Washington to declare a temporary ceasefire, which was due to end today.
Kathmandu: Nepal’s Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has resigned just days after taking charge, following allegations and public criticism linked to shares and related matters. Gurung was appointed to the post in Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s newly formed government after the Rastriya Swatantra Party won the recent parliamentary election. He had been serving as home minister since March 26. In a statement, Gurung said ethical standards mattered more than any position and that public trust was paramount. He said he was stepping down immediately so that an honest inquiry could be conducted and to ensure he did not use his office for personal gain.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday claimed that the Congress would not be able to win even a double-digit number of seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Polling for the Assembly elections is scheduled for April 23, with Tamil Nadu voting in a single phase and West Bengal beginning its first phase. With campaigning having ended, the Election Commission has stepped up preparations for voting. Amid this, Shah campaigned in constituencies in West Bengal where the second phase of polling is due. Addressing a public meeting in the Dum Dum Uttar constituency, he said Congress would fail to touch double digits in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
India and New Zealand are set to sign a free trade agreement on April 27 (Monday), marking a major step in bilateral economic ties. The agreement was announced on December 22 last year. Under the pact, New Zealand will bring import duties on all categories of Indian goods down to zero. On the Indian side, tariffs on about 95% of goods imported from New Zealand—including timber, wine, avocados and blueberries—will be reduced or eliminated. However, dairy and dairy products will not receive tariff concessions.
A short video posted on Dinamalar’s website has drawn attention with its caption suggesting that Union Minister Piyush Goyal is well familiar with Madurai. The clip appears in Dinamalar’s “Shorts/Reels” section and is presented as a brief, shareable video item. No additional details, context, or quotes beyond the headline-style line are available in the provided source text. The video is hosted on Dinamalar’s platform under the URL shared with the post.
A renewed political debate has emerged around the implementation of the women’s reservation law, which was passed in Parliament in 2023. The timing of the BJP’s fresh push has raised questions about whether it is aimed at electoral gains, distraction from economic pressures, or projecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a champion of women. What began as a discussion on women’s representation has now widened into a contentious issue: parliamentary constituency delimitation. The long-simmering North–South fault line is being invoked again, with leaders warning that any move seen as hurting southern states could trigger strong protests.
Kerala Police have issued a warning about a cyber fraud targeting Vivo and iQOO smartphone users through fake software update messages. The scam is designed to trick users into installing malicious software that can lead to theft of sensitive information, including banking details. According to a statement from the Kerala Cyber Police, victims may see an urgent on-screen prompt claiming a software update is required. When the message is clicked, an app titled “OriginOS Update” gets downloaded, appearing similar to an official company update.
Pakistan has announced an extension of its ban on Indian flights using Pakistani airspace, keeping the restriction in place until May 24. The curbs were imposed after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22 last year, in which 26 people were killed. Pakistan first barred Indian aircraft from flying through its airspace from April 24. India responded by restricting Pakistani aircraft from using Indian airspace from April 30 last year. Pakistan’s airport authority, in a notice to aviation personnel, said Indian aircraft and those operated or leased by Indian airlines—including military aircraft—will not be permitted to use Pakistani airspace during the extended period.
Thiruvananthapuram: With polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled to be held in a single phase across 234 constituencies, the Kerala government has announced paid leave for eligible Tamil Nadu voters working in Kerala on election day. The order applies to Tamil Nadu voters employed in commercial establishments, industrial units and other organisations in Kerala. The government said wages must not be deducted for availing the leave. The benefit will also extend to daily-wage workers and those working in shift systems, the announcement said.
Truce deadline and uncertainty A two-week temporary ceasefire announced by the United States in its conflict with Iran is set to end today, raising fresh uncertainty over whether a second round of peace talks will take place. First round failed to reach a deal With Pakistan acting as a mediator, the first phase of talks was held recently. After both sides discussed conditions through Pakistan, US and Iranian representatives held direct discussions that reportedly lasted about 21 hours, but ended without an agreement.
Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Registration Department is working on guidelines to permit deed registration through private service centres, on the lines of passport facilitation offices, officials said. Tamil Nadu currently has 589 sub-registrar offices, where citizens largely depend on the availability of officers and staff to complete registration-related work. The department says it is moving to change this system. As part of the effort, a new software platform, STAR 3.0, has been developed. Once it is fully rolled out, the public is expected to be able to initiate and complete deed registration through an online portal from anywhere.
TASMAC liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu recorded sales worth about Rs 350 crore in a single day, as customers rushed to buy stocks ahead of a three-day shutdown linked to the Assembly election. According to the report, TASMAC shops were closed from Tuesday and will remain shut until Thursday. The holiday was announced to prevent law-and-order issues and curb any distribution of liquor to voters during the polling period. On normal days, TASMAC’s statewide sales average around Rs 150 crore, with higher collections typically seen on weekends and special holidays. The state reportedly grants liquor shops holidays on only about eight days a year, including occasions such as Thiruvalluvar Day and Republic Day.
Kharge downplays joint campaign talk All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday urged people not to make an issue of Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi not campaigning alongside Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Kharge said the absence of a joint campaign was due to Rahul Gandhi’s campaign plan and prevailing circumstances in the state. He maintained that the matter should not be blown out of proportion.
Congress has submitted a privilege notice to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over remarks made after the women’s reservation bill failed to pass. The notice follows the defeat of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, introduced in the recent special session of Parliament to provide 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill, according to the report, did not secure the required two-thirds support.
New Delhi: A study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) reports that eliminating tobacco use in India could significantly improve the economic condition of more than 20 million families. The research was jointly carried out by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) and the ICMR’s National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (Noida). It analysed household income, spending and lifestyle patterns captured in the 2022–23 National Sample Survey.
New Delhi: Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested two men accused of being part of a Pakistan-based intelligence-linked network that allegedly planned shootings and grenade attacks in the Delhi NCR region. Police said the arrests helped foil a major conspiracy aimed at crowded public locations. Investigators said the plot was directed by Shahzad Bhatti, described as an agent of Pakistan’s ISI, who allegedly sought to recruit Indian youth through online channels, radicalise them and provide training for attacks. The targets were said to include areas across Delhi NCR as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
The Election Commission informed the Madras High Court that a case has been registered in connection with the distribution of “housewife scheme” coupons carrying a value of Rs 8,000, linked to a DMK election manifesto promise. According to the petition, the DMK’s manifesto for the Assembly election said coupons worth Rs 8,000 would be provided under the scheme, enabling women to purchase household items of their choice. AIADMK Lawyers’ Wing deputy secretary R.A.S. Senthilvel filed the plea alleging that DMK candidates and party workers were distributing model coupons to voters in several constituencies, including Coimbatore South, Bargur, Palacode, Kumbakonam and Anna Nagar. The petitioner argued that distributing such coupons before coming to power amounts to an offence under the Representation of the People Act.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Monday alleged that cash was distributed in the Coimbatore South constituency, triggering tension in the area. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Annamalai said people who came from Karur in support of Senthil Balaji were involved in the alleged cash distribution. He claimed that when police detained them at the Ramanathapuram police station, a crowd of around 500 surrounded the station. He further alleged that the situation had become so volatile that police locked the station and stayed inside to protect themselves, leading to unrest in Coimbatore South.
DMK deputy general secretary Kanimozhi on Tuesday took a swipe at AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami during the final phase of election campaigning in Thoothukudi. Referring to Palaniswami’s campaign remark that he would like to be born into a family in Tamil Nadu “in his next life”, Kanimozhi said she does not believe in rebirth, but added that if such a thing existed, he should be born in Gujarat, not Tamil Nadu. She alleged that he “stands with folded hands” before the BJP and has “mortgaged” both himself and the AIADMK in Delhi.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss has launched a sharp attack on Anbumani in a letter addressed to party cadres, saying the party’s “mango” symbol can no longer be trusted. Ramadoss wrote that he has been enduring deep personal anguish for the past two years. He alleged that Anbumani ignored his words, buried his principles, and began pursuing money, leaving him feeling “dead as a father” even while alive. Recalling his own sacrifices, Ramadoss said he had gone to jail and shed blood for the movement, but claimed that this legacy is now being turned into a “business” in the name of social justice.
VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan on Tuesday alleged that the BJP has positioned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay in the political arena with the aim of diverting minority votes away from the DMK-led alliance. Campaigning in Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district and in Perambalur and Tiruvarur, Thirumavalavan said the move was intended to ensure that Christian and Muslim votes do not consolidate behind the DMK alliance. He claimed Vijay has investments and shareholder stakes in several firms, including what he described as an organisation linked to the RSS, and alleged that Vijay maintains close ties with RSS members. Based on this, he argued that Vijay’s relationship with the BJP was evident.
Former AIADMK minister Sengottaiyan, who has joined the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and is contesting from Gobi, became emotional during the final phase of election campaigning. On the last day of canvassing, he campaigned in Seethamma Colony and addressed voters as part of the final round of vote-seeking. In his speech, Sengottaiyan recalled an incident from a meeting in Vellore, where TVK leader Vijay noticed a photograph of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa kept in his shirt pocket. He said Vijay later invited him home and told him, as a senior leader, to continue keeping the photo in his pocket.
Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has released a video message during the election campaign, saying he wanted to speak “from the heart” about his affection for Tamil Nadu and the risks the state faces. Recalling the 2021 Assembly election, Stalin said some had described him as “more dangerous” than former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He said he cannot be compared with Karunanidhi, whom he often addressed as “leader,” but added that he would indeed be “dangerous” to those who seek to cheat Tamil Nadu or block its progress.
Campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election will end at 6 pm on April 21, ahead of polling scheduled for April 23 from 7 am to 6 pm. The Election Commission has directed that no public meetings or processions be held or attended after the deadline. In a statement, Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik said election-related content must not be displayed to the public through any medium, including cinema, television, FM radio and social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter. The restriction also covers SMS and other electronic communication formats.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has condemned reports of a gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Tiruvannamalai district, calling the incident “shocking” and “infuriating”. In a statement, he said the girl, from Kanchipuram, was allegedly assaulted near Cheyyar when she had come to attend a family function. He argued that repeated such incidents point to a breakdown of law and order under the DMK government. Annamalai also alleged that the state has seen an unchecked spread of narcotics and that offenders no longer fear the law or the police, claiming Tamil Nadu has been pushed into a “dark phase”. He said it would take time to correct the situation and restore the state.
Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti was observed with special rituals at Sringeri Sharada Peetham on April 21. Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal performed worship for Adi Shankara with special abhishekam and aradhanas. The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is described as the first and foremost seat established by Adi Shankara in the 8th century on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Karnataka to propagate Advaita Vedanta. The tradition recalls that he installed Sharada (Saraswati) and appointed his chief disciple Sureshwaracharya as the first acharya, staying for 12 years to teach Advaita.
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief Kamal Haasan has said that the DMK’s implementation of the women’s rights cash assistance scheme was the key reason he decided to join the DMK-led alliance. Campaigning in Tiruchirappalli in support of DMK alliance candidates for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Kamal said a true leader should run towards people when they face problems, not run away from them. He noted that one of the ideas he had spoken about earlier has now been carried out by the DMK, adding that it was something he felt few others had spoken about in the country.
