The Times of India

Tamil Nadu's chess prowess shines as R Vaishali eyes the Women's World Championship after her Candidates victory. Young A S Sharvaanica's U12 rapid title further highlights the state's growing talent. While these successes inspire, experts note the need for greater support and sponsorship to elevate women's chess participation and achieve global dominance.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami dismisses Vijay's TVK, framing the election as a direct contest with the DMK. He accuses DMK leaders of prioritizing family interests and criticizes their claims of growth, attributing current progress to AIADMK's past governance. Palaniswami also defends AIADMK's relationship with the BJP, contrasting it with the DMK's alleged subservience and corruption.

EC has deployed 150 expenditure observers, 130 general observers and 40 police observers, along with 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces across districts.

While independent candidates may not often claim victory in Indian elections, their influence is undeniable. These individualsranging from enterprising local heroes to charismatic street performersserve as catalysts for civic engagement. They can sway key votes and even instigate delays in voting, revealing a spectrum of motivations behind their candidacies and reflecting the rich democratic fabric of the nation.

The party urged the ECI to withdraw its order dated April 19 appointing Kumar as the IGP intelligence.

Palaniswami painted a grim picture of law and order in Tamil Nadu under the DMK rule. He said there were 18,000 sexual assault cases, including nearly 7,000 Pocso cases, in the last five years of DMK rule.

In a tragic incident, a firecracker factory in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu witnessed a catastrophic explosion that resulted in the loss of 23 lives and left six workers wounded. Preliminary investigations suggest that chemical friction may have triggered the blast, which obliterated several structures within the factory.

DMK's Palanivel Thiaga Rajan expresses confidence in an easy Madurai Central victory, dismissing his opponent as 'vacuous'. He highlights his principled stand, leaving a lucrative banking career for public service. Rajan defends the government's swift action on corruption and outlines a Rs 3,000 crore plan for Madurai's infrastructure, emphasizing systemic reforms in his IT ministry.

Tambaram, a traditional DMK stronghold, faces uncertainty after the party dropped sitting MLA S R Raja, sparking internal unrest and creating an opening for rivals. AIADMK aims to capitalize on this churn, while TVK seeks to tap into voter fatigue and urban concerns, potentially influencing the outcome.

In a spirited rally, DMK's candidate for Egmore, Tamilan Prasana, radiates optimism about an impending landslide victory, confidently brushing aside any opposition. He underscores the party's loyal voter following and previous achievements.

In the vibrant arena of Tamil Nadu's election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi have taken divergent paths. Modi's focus was on criticizing the DMK's dynastic politics, accusing them of corruption, while Gandhi countered, warning that the BJP poses a threat to the rich tapestry of Tamil culture.

Justice Oka said environmental degradation had a direct nexus with the social justice guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution.