The Times of India

Tamil Nadu's intense election campaign has concluded. The M K Stalin-led Secular Progressive Alliance has an edge. Edappadi K Palaniswami's National Democratic Alliance is a contender. Actor Vijay's TVK could influence the outcome. The election hinges on governance, identity, and federalism debates. Voters await the final decision.

Tamil cinema's deep connection to politics is highlighted by the recent leak of Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan'. This incident exposes structural weaknesses in content security within the industry, from post-production to distribution, raising concerns about the future of film content protection.

DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi frames the 2026 election as a fight for Tamil Nadu's identity against the BJP's centralizing agenda. She highlights the state's safety record, refutes corruption allegations, and defends welfare schemes as economic stimulus, emphasizing the Dravidian model's focus on federalism and social justice.

Asserting his authority over the faction he heads, Ramadoss says he still controlled OMK and, if necessary, will pass on control to his daughter, with his grandson supporting her in managing party affairs.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan made the observation while dismissing a plea moved by A Hari Nadar, who faces about 24 criminal cases and is currently lodged in the Puzhal Central Prison in connection with a cheating case.

A Chennai-based dermatologist says he has had politicians knocking on his door from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin concluded his 20-day campaign by promising to launch the 'Illatharasi' scheme, offering 8,000 coupons to women, as his first act if re-elected. He expressed his deep affection for his Kolathur constituency, calling it his favorite child within Chennai.

Anna Nagar's upcoming election features a multi-cornered contest, moving beyond its Dravidian stronghold history. While DMK and AIADMK vie for dominance, the emergence of TVK and NTK adds significant uncertainty. Voters here prioritize pressing civic issues like infrastructure and sanitation over broad ideologies, making the race unpredictable.

In Sholinganallur, voters are demanding solutions for civic issues like water and sewage, with a growing openness to new parties. While traditional parties' vote share has dropped, the practicality of who can form the government and secure big-ticket projects remains a key consideration for the electorate.

Tragedy struck as three young men died and one was seriously injured in a head-on collision between a car and a bus near Hosur. The group was traveling from Bengaluru to their village to vote in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The accident occurred early Wednesday morning, leaving their families and community in grief.

Voters in Chennai on April 23rd face a challenging election day with IMD predicting sweltering heat and high humidity. Expect daytime temperatures around 37-38C, with feels-like temperatures soaring to 40-41C in coastal areas due to humidity. Interior districts are set to be even hotter. Light rain is possible in some southern and delta regions.

As election campaigns conclude, political parties in Chennai shift focus to hyper-local, booth-level operations. Volunteers and agents are coordinating extensively, distributing slips, and ensuring voters reach polling stations. Parties like DMK and AIADMK have deployed thousands of booth-level agents and volunteers to manage voter verification and assist citizens, with specific roles for internal and external party members.

Chennai is on high alert with 23,000 state police and 31 CAPF companies deployed to ensure peaceful elections. Authorities have identified 199 vulnerable and 918 vulnerable polling stations, with additional forces from neighboring states. Mobile teams are managing EVM transport, and preventive measures are in place for sensitive areas and voters.

Tamil Nadu witnessed a fierce multi-pronged campaign war as key political figures battled for supremacy. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin led the charge against the BJP and AIADMK, while Edappadi K. Palaniswami countered with attacks on governance. Actor-turned-politician C. Joseph Vijay and Udhayanidhi Stalin engaged younger voters with distinct campaign styles.

Tamil Nadu has seized Rs 1,262 crore in cash, gold, liquor, and drugs ahead of the April 23 polls. The state has 5.73 crore voters, including over 14.5 lakh first-time voters, with 75,064 polling stations set up. Security measures include 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and 83,875 local police personnel.

DMK leader expresses confidence in victory despite a multi-cornered contest, highlighting welfare initiatives and exemplary governance. He dismisses rumors of alliance discord and defends the party's approach to smaller partners. The chief minister frames the election as 'Team Tamil Nadu vs Team Delhi,' asserting the state's resistance to centralized control.

Senior BJP leaders reacted sharply to the comment, demanding an unconditional apology from the octogenarian leader. Union minister and BJPs TN in-charge Piyush Goyal went a step further, demanding that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and chief minister M K Stalin also apologise for Kharges remarks.

Premallatha met with commuters at the bus stand and staff members at the local Amma Unavagam and sought votes for the murasu symbol.

Though the number of women candidates has risen over the years, men continued to dominate the field.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami declares the upcoming election a direct fight between his party and the DMK. He criticizes DMK leaders for prioritizing family interests and dismisses their claims about the NDA. Palaniswami defends AIADMK's past achievements and its alliance strategy, asserting the party's commitment to Tamil Nadu's welfare.

Dhivya Sathyaraj, DMK IT wing deputy general secretary, reported being subjected to slipper-throwing and verbal abuse by TVK supporters during a campaign in Chennai's Nungambakkam. She described the incident as 'horrific' and a first in her political career, urging TVK president Vijay to curb abusive language against women, including his wife.

In the Tamil Nadu elections of 2021, many voters opted for NOTA, a choice that exceeded the winning margins in 13 constituencies, indicating a significant level of discontent among the electorate. Although NOTA's influence has seen a decline since 2016, it still acts as a form of protest for voters dissatisfied with their options.

Kolathur, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's stronghold since 2011, is under intense scrutiny. Voters will cast ballots not just for their MLA but also for a referendum on Stalin's leadership. The constituency has seen significant development under the DMK government, boosting Stalin's personal connect and widening his victory margins.

Perambur constituency is the focal point of a high-stakes political battle as actor Vijay makes his electoral debut against the DMK's entrenched machinery. While DMK deploys star campaigners and door-to-door outreach, Vijay's personality-driven campaign faces organizational challenges. Unresolved local issues and anti-incumbency against the DMK candidate offer a potential opening for TVK, making this a closely watched contest.

Tamil Nadu braces for assembly elections on April 23 with a public holiday and significant restrictions. Liquor sales are banned for three days, and schools will close as they host polling booths. Banks will shut, but digital services and ATMs remain operational. These measures aim for a smooth and high-turnout election.

During a lively rally in Chennai, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took a jab at the political aspirations of actor Vijay, casting doubt on his capability to handle politics. The atmosphere shifted as he later joined forces with Arvind Kejriwal for a vibrant roadshow, extolling the AAP leader's relentless struggle against the BJP's influence.