'The Dravidian parties wanted to prevent the TVK from forming a government.'
Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai has launched a new political movement focused on 'common man politics,' rejecting personality cults and hereditary power, aiming to position Tamil Nadu as the premier state in India.
'The AIADMK will lose a lot of votes simply because it is aligned with the BJP.'
Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran has alleged that a government school in Tiruppur illegally collected fees from students for admission and has sought stringent action against the school authorities.
'The AIADMK front comes second, and then the TVK.'
C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a gala event attended by prominent personalities including Rahul Gandhi. The swearing-in ceremony saw the presence of Vijay's parents and actress Trisha, while former CMs M K Stalin and Edappadi K Palaniswami were absent.
'This is a major rupture in Tamil Nadu's political order.' 'For the Dravidian parties, the message is clear: The old DMK-AIADMK binary is no longer guaranteed a future.'
Voting has commenced for the assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, with over 3.60 crore electors eligible to vote in 152 constituencies in Bengal and 5.73 crore voters in Tamil Nadu. Security measures are heightened to ensure free and fair polling.
'Even if they align with the TVK now, I don't think the AIADMK leadership will completely surrender to the dominance of Vijay.'
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has directed police to promptly register cases, investigate expeditiously, and ensure stringent punishment for those involved in sexual crimes, following a series of incidents including the murder of a 10-year-old girl in Coimbatore.
Whether he comes to power or not, both his admirers and opponents agree on one thing -- Vijay may well turn out to be the 'X factor'.
The polling for the Tamil Nadu Elections will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Out of the 294 assembly seats, 152 seats in West Bengal will go to polls in the first phase on Thursday.
'The AIADMK and DMK have 75% of the total votes. 25% of the voters do not support the two majors,' says DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai.
The Vanniyar vote can tip the balance in 70 to 75 assembly constituencies of the 234 in the state, mainly in the Ranipet, Vellore, Thiruppathur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Villupuram and Kallakurichi districts.
Tamil Nadu will elect a new government on April 23.
Will the DMK retain power? Can the AIADMK spring a surprise? And what about Vijay's TVK? A Ganesh Nadar surveys the election landscape a day after the Election Commission announced the poll schedule.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has claimed victory for the state after the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha. Stalin criticised the Centre's handling of the Women's Reservation Bill and delimitation process, accusing the BJP of prioritising political gain over fairness and consultation.
The DMDK officially joined the DMK-led alliance ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly elections, marking a significant political development in the state.
'The BJP is projected as a party that follows Hindu politics, talking about religion, gods and goddess all the time.'
'People of Tamil Nadu are not bothered about religion in politics.' 'That is why Tamil Nadu people do not encourage the BJP.'
The polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly's 234 seats will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
'Remember Vijay had never spoke of himself as a Christian when he was a film star.' 'The BJP strategy is they want the Christian minority constituency to move away from the DMK.' 'That is what the BJP wants so that it will be very easy to mobilise Hindu votes.' 'This strategy is to weaken the Dravidian ideology and bring in religion based politics into Tamil Nadu.'
Former BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai stated that a true Hindu treats everyone equally and emphasised his identity as a nationalist and Indian, keeping caste and religion private. He also predicted that young voters would bring significant regime changes in future Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, particularly in 2031.
'The vast majority of BJP supporters in Tamil Nadu can't speak any language other than Tamil.' 'When rural Tamil Nadu can't speak any other language than Tamil, how are they going to convince them that they have to learn Hindi?'
A profile of C.P. Radhakrishnan, the Maharashtra Governor and former MP, who is being considered as a potential Vice President candidate. His political journey, association with RSS and Jan Sangh, and his influence in Tamil Nadu politics are highlighted.
The Tamil Nadu government has appointed film producer K Venkata Narayana as the state's special representative to the government in New Delhi, evoking sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party and other opposition parties on Friday.
'The EPS camp feels assertiveness will help the AIADMK keep the BJP's seat-share ambitions to the minimum,' observes N Sathiya Moorthy.
Fresh political friction has erupted in Tamil Nadu following the cabinet swearing-in ceremony, where the Tamil Thai Valthu was once again played third during an official ceremony. This marks the third consecutive occasion where the Tamil anthem has been placed third in the protocol order, triggering fresh criticism and political reactions across the state regarding the government's failure to uphold regional ceremonial traditions.
'The generational shift belongs to Vijay, Udhayanidhi and Annamalai.' 'The BJP cannot fit into the shift.' 'So they threw Annamalai into the situation where he is comparable with Vijay and Udhayanidhi.'
The BJP has released its list of candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with the notable absence of K Annamalai, sparking speculation and discussion within the state's political circles.
In a state that usually plumbs for a Dravidian major, three candidates have a chance of delivering for the BJP, observes A Ganesh Nadar.
Former BJP leader K Annamalai has criticised the Centre for its handling of the NEET issue, alleging a lack of accountability despite three question paper leaks and questioning the delay in engaging with student protesters.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay actively participated in a 6 km anti-drug marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach, running alongside thousands of participants. This marks a historic first for a sitting CM in the state to complete such an event for a social cause, drawing praise from political figures and reinforcing the government's commitment to a drug-free Tamil Nadu.
In focus are the assembly polls in 2026. From a BJP perspective, their attack on the ruling DMK, using the 'Hindutva' card, and Annamalai's targeting of both Dravidian majors on corruption has not worked, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
Exit polls suggest significant shifts in Indian state assembly elections, forecasting BJP gains in West Bengal and Assam, a DMK comeback in Tamil Nadu, and a tight race in Kerala.
The DMK has approached the Supreme Court, alleging that Tamil Nadu ministers are actively influencing witnesses in the CBI probe into last year's Karur stampede case, which resulted in 41 deaths.
'You will have the President's rule for 7 to 8 months, And Annamalai will be the hero in those 7 months.'
The BJP state unit hailed Vasan and said his advice will be used in the coming days to guide the alliance.
'If Kerala votes back the LDF, if Tamil Nadu brings the DMK and if Bengal votes for the Trinamool, we will project a formidable opposition to the BJP.'
Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid speculation about his departure from the party and potential launch of a new political outfit.
The BJP often forgets that in Dravidian Tamil Nadu, the voter does not mix religion, which is personal, and politics that is in the public sphere, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has resigned from the party's primary membership, a move accepted by BJP chief Nitin Nabin. Annamalai's resignation follows his replacement as state president and the BJP's renewed alliance with AIADMK. He is expected to address his future plans, including the possibility of launching a new political party, during a social media interaction.
