Latest news from Tamil Nadu - Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more
No articles found in this category
Try selecting a different category above
Two explosive incidents reported in Punjab have triggered heightened security across the state. The latest blast was reported late on May 5 near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters area in Amritsar, creating panic in the locality. A day earlier, police said a bomb was planted on a scooter in Jalandhar. The person who was riding the scooter has been arrested and is being questioned in connection with the case.
Assembly election results from five states delivered major upsets, with voters in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala signalling a strong demand for change. The outcome saw the defeat of two sitting chief ministers and around 50 ministers, along with several other prominent figures in other states and Puducherry. In West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government suffered a sharp setback. A total of 22 ministers from the ruling Trinamool Congress were defeated, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who lost in Bhabanipur to Suvendu Adhikari by more than 15,000 votes.
ThaVeKa leader Vijay has sent letters to the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), seeking their support to form a government in Tamil Nadu. According to the report, Vijay’s side is short of the required majority in the 234-member Assembly by 11 seats. In this backdrop, he has invited the CPI to join his alliance. The CPI had contested five seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and won two.
Congress on Tuesday officially announced its support for Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government in Tamil Nadu. In the Assembly election, Congress—contesting 28 seats as part of the DMK-led alliance—won five constituencies. TVK secured 108 seats and needs the backing of 11 more MLAs to prove a majority. With the numbers short, Vijay has sent letters seeking support from parties including the CPI, CPM and VCK, which together have two MLAs, according to the report.
Former minister K.A. Sengottaiyan met Legislative Assembly Secretary Srinivasan at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday. According to the report, the meeting included discussions on the process of choosing a pro-tem Speaker for the Assembly. The development comes amid heightened political activity after the recently concluded Assembly election, in which TVK contested alone and won 108 constituencies to emerge as the single largest party. Though the party is said to be short of the numbers required for a majority, Vijay is expected to meet the Governor to stake claim to form the government.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Tuesday described Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s defeat as “regrettable”, calling him a seasoned politician and saying the outcome was disappointing. Speaking to reporters, Tagore said Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay had contested against the BJP and won, and that the TVK candidate had also secured victory in Tirupparankundram. He asserted that communal forces would not be able to enter Tamil Nadu. Tagore said the Congress leadership had taken a position on the political developments in the state. He added that the decision taken by the party’s political affairs committee on Monday night would be announced by Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Chodankar.
Chennai: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) has postponed a meeting of the party’s MLAs that was scheduled for May 6, amid reports of sharp internal differences over extending support to actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). According to the report, TVK won 108 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, while the DMK alliance secured 73 and the AIADMK alliance 53. With TVK short of a clear majority, it is said to be looking for outside support from either the DMK-led bloc or the AIADMK side.
Kanimozhi Santhosh of Thaveka has been elected MLA from Coimbatore’s Kaundampalayam constituency, drawing attention for her unusual profile compared with typical candidates. She had campaigned confidently, saying she would win and serve the public. According to the results, she secured 1,46,466 votes and registered a decisive victory with a margin of 40,140 votes. Kanimozhi is trained in astrology and runs an astrology centre, while also offering consultations online. She has posted videos on topics such as predicting which zodiac signs may find love.
Congress has announced that it is ending its alliance with the DMK and will instead align with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The party leadership said the partnership with TVK will extend to the forthcoming local body elections and the next Lok Sabha election. The report recalls the long and often strained history between the DMK and Congress. During the 2004–2014 UPA period, the DMK faced allegations linked to the 2G spectrum case, and leaders including A. Raja and Kanimozhi were arrested and jailed in Tihar, which the DMK said caused deep resentment.
A government facing a confidence vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly does not necessarily need the backing of 118 MLAs, according to a report. It said the requirement is a simple majority of those who are present in the House and participate in the vote. The report noted that if no party secures a clear majority after the election, the Governor will decide the next course of action. In such a situation, inviting the single largest party—identified as TVK—would be the Governor’s first option, it said, adding that TVK is also seen as having the support of five Congress MLAs.
Chennai: With five Congress MLAs extending support, TVK leader Vijay welcomed them at the party’s headquarters in Panaiyur, Chennai, by draping shawls. The MLAs later handed over a letter formally conveying their backing. The Congress had contested 28 seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and won five constituencies. TVK, which won 108 seats, needed additional MLAs to demonstrate a majority in the Assembly. Following the Congress leadership’s announcement that its MLAs would support TVK, Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge Girish Sodankar and the five MLAs visited the TVK office. After their support, TVK’s strength in the House has risen to 112; Vijay’s win in two constituencies is counted as one seat.
VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan on Tuesday said he hopes actor-politician Vijay will live up to public expectations and provide good governance. Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Thirumavalavan said Vijay, the leader of TVK, has sent a letter seeking support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. He added that similar letters have also been sent to Left parties. Thirumavalavan said the VCK would take a decision only after consulting the party’s senior functionaries, with discussions scheduled for Wednesday. He also conveyed greetings to Vijay.
TAVEK leader Vijay met Tamil Nadu’s acting Governor Arlekar in Chennai on Tuesday (May 6) and staked claim to form the government. He also handed over a letter from the Congress extending support to his party. According to the report, TAVEK has won 108 seats in the Assembly election, emerging as the single largest party. Vijay has also sought support from the VCK and the Communist Party of India to demonstrate a majority.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Congress in-charge observer Girish Chodankar on Tuesday said the Congress will be a constituent of the proposed TVK government, describing the move as support with conditions. He said Congress leaders and the party’s MLAs met TVK leader Vijay and conveyed full support. Chodankar added that a formal letter of support was also handed over, along with wishes for Vijay to perform well. Chodankar said the party expects more political groups to extend support, and asserted that a coalition government in Tamil Nadu is certain. He stressed that Congress is not offering outside support but will be part of the government.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) may have to take a strategic call to protect his party after it slipped to third place in the recent Assembly election amid a strong pro-Vijay wave, according to a report. The report notes that Vijay has won 108 seats but is still short of a clear majority. He has sought 14 days’ time from the Governor to prove support and must line up enough MLAs to form the government.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu has, for the first time, moved towards a coalition government after actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly election. TVK won 108 seats, leaving it 10 short of the 118 needed for a majority. In this situation, the Congress—holding five MLAs—broke away from the DMK-led alliance and extended support to TVK, describing it as conditional support. After Vijay formally staked claim to form the government before the Governor, Congress conveyed that it expects two ministerial berths. During the campaign, Vijay had said parties joining him would have a share in governance.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra has highlighted the Tirupattur Assembly constituency result in Tamil Nadu to underline the power of a single vote. He said the outcome should be shown to children so they understand how much influence one vote can carry. In the Tirupattur contest, DMK candidate Periyakaruppan faced a tight race against the TVK candidate. As counting progressed, the lead reportedly swung back and forth across multiple rounds, keeping the contest on edge.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor Vijay, is poised to enter Parliament for the first time—without having contested a Lok Sabha election—following its strong performance in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. TVK emerged as the single largest party by winning 108 of the 234 seats, pushing the long-dominant DMK and AIADMK behind. The party is now moving quickly to form a government, needing only a few more seats to reach a majority.
Trichy East MLA and TVK chief Vijay is expected to submit his resignation from the constituency by May 18, according to reports. In the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, Vijay contested from two seats—Perambur and Trichy East—and won both. As an elected representative can hold only one Assembly seat, he must resign from one constituency. Sources indicate Vijay has decided to continue as the Perambur MLA, citing easier access to the Chennai-based constituency. He is therefore likely to step down from Trichy East and submit a resignation letter soon.
Chennai: Several leaders who earlier left the AIADMK and joined the DMK and the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) have won in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The AIADMK, which historically had not faced back-to-back Assembly defeats since its formation, has now lost two consecutive elections—2021 and 2026—after the death of J Jayalalithaa. The party has also lost its status as the principal opposition this time. Among those who moved from AIADMK to the DMK and won are E V Velu, Sathur Ramachandran, Sekarbabu, Raja Kannappan, Senthil Balaji, Raghupathi, Anita Radhakrishnan, Austin, Villupuram Lakshmanan, O Panneerselvam, Vaithilingam and Manoj Pandian.
Results of Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry and Assam indicate that the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option drew limited support from voters. Among the five states, Assam reported the highest NOTA share at 1.29%. West Bengal followed with 0.81%, Puducherry with 0.73% and Kerala with 0.58%. Tamil Nadu recorded the lowest NOTA usage at 0.41%, with 1,99,801 voters opting not to choose any candidate. NOTA was introduced on electronic voting machines in 2013. Election Commission statistics show a gradual decline in NOTA voting across the last three Lok Sabha elections, from 1.08% in 2014 to 0.99% in 2024.
Chennai cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Delhi in a league match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi, riding on an unbeaten 87 from Sanju Samson. Delhi, after choosing to bat first, posted 155/7 but failed to put sustained pressure on the chase. Delhi’s innings never found momentum on a surface that aided the spinners. After a modest start, wickets fell regularly, with Rahul’s slow 12 off 13 adding to the frustration. By 10 overs, Delhi were struggling at 62/4, even as a brief spell of light rain did not interrupt play.
Guwahati: The BJP-led NDA’s sweeping victory in the Assam Assembly election—winning 102 of the state’s 126 seats—has been widely linked to the constituency delimitation carried out in 2023, according to political observers. Polling was held on the 9th, and results were declared after vote counting concluded. The NDA returned to power for a third term, with the BJP winning 82 seats and its allies—the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)—winning 10 seats each.
Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor has indicated that actor-politician Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), could be invited to join the INDIA alliance. Speaking to a private English news agency after the Kerala Assembly election results, Tharoor said the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) had secured a decisive mandate, winning 100 of the 140 seats. He noted that the Congress has several experienced and capable leaders, calling the choice of chief minister “a happy challenge.” Tharoor said the chief minister’s name would be announced soon after consultations with the newly elected MLAs and with the approval of the party high command, adding there would be no delay.
Assam, a northeastern state, has retained a BJP-led alliance government for a third consecutive term. BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is set to take oath again as Chief Minister. The remarks came after West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee alleged that the state Assembly election outcome was “not a people’s verdict” but a “conspiracy”. She also said she would not resign from the Chief Minister’s post.
Virudhunagar: Support from serving and retired Tamil Nadu government employees is said to have moved significantly toward TVK, leaving the DMK surprised, according to local political assessments. Postal ballots have traditionally been viewed as a strong indicator of government employees’ voting preference. This time, however, the postal vote is reported to be split more evenly among TVK, DMK and AIADMK, with TVK leading in some constituencies. A section of government employees’ unions has been unhappy with the DMK government over the non-restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. The government’s announced “assured pension” model is also said to have failed to satisfy many employees who continue to demand the earlier scheme.
KARAIKUDI: Former BJP national secretary H Raja said people had voted for change, speaking to reporters in Karaikudi. Referring to the recent elections in five states, Raja claimed the BJP had secured power with full majorities in three states. He also described the party forming a government in West Bengal as an achievement. Raja alleged that forces that “need to be removed” in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had been pushed back. On Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman’s party, he said its position remained unchanged and there was nothing new to add.
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to appoint four additional judges to the Supreme Court, increasing the sanctioned strength from 33 to 37. The Supreme Court’s judge strength has been expanded in phases since the Supreme Court Judges (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, which originally provided for 10 judges apart from the Chief Justice of India. Over the years, the number was revised periodically, including a rise from 25 to 30 after 22 years.
Kolkata: Kalita Maji, a former domestic worker from West Bengal, has won the Ausgram Assembly constituency as a BJP candidate in the recently concluded state elections. Her victory has drawn attention as a rare political rise from a modest livelihood to the legislature. According to the report, Maji lived in the Khushkara municipal area and supported her family by doing household work in four homes, earning up to Rs 2,500 per month. Despite her financial struggles, she maintained a strong interest in politics and public life.
The Durga temple in Asansol, in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district, was reopened for worship following the BJP’s strong performance in the recent Assembly elections. The temple had remained closed for several years due to a dispute between two communities and administrative issues. Managed by the Sri Sri Durgamata Trust, it was earlier opened only during Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja. In the election, the BJP won all nine Assembly seats in Paschim Bardhaman. During the campaign, BJP candidate Krishnendu Mukherjee had promised that if elected from Asansol Uttar, he would work to keep the temple open every day.
