A meeting of DMK MPs on Saturday (October 17, 2026) demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that he had overseen the deletion of voters’ names under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), overriding the objections of the other two Election Commissioners.

“He must be removed and subjected to an appropriate inquiry,” said a resolution adopted at the meeting chaired by DMK president M.K. Stalin.

The DMK also made a case for a return to paper ballots, arguing that the credibility of electronic voting machines (EVMs) had come under scrutiny because of alleged discrepancies between votes recorded in EVMs and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.

“That is why the DMK has been demanding the counting of VVPAT slips. People’s faith in elections can be restored only by returning to the paper ballot system,” the party said.

The meeting expressed concern over the functioning of the Election Commission of India, stating that public confidence in elections was eroding because of what it termed the Commission’s failure to function impartially.

Representation to President

The party decided to submit a representation to the President seeking the complete cancellation of the SIR before the Assembly elections. It also demanded that future elections be conducted on the basis of the existing electoral rolls.

“The SIR should ensure voters’ rights and not deprive them of their right to vote. Adequate time should be provided for the addition and deletion of names,” the party said.

The DMK also expressed support for protests organised by a students’ organisation and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), claiming that the protests had made a greater impact than those organised by the Congress.

DMK terms Congress ‘backstabbers’

“The Congress is intimidated by the impact of the protests. Though it remained an onlooker initially, it came under pressure to join them as they gained momentum. Those familiar with the Congress’s history know that it would backstab others after riding piggyback. The party is not ready for a discussion on the SIR in Tamil Nadu and Kerala,” the DMK alleged.

The high-decibel byelection campaign in the Assembly segments of Madurantakam (SC) in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram (SC) in Tiruppur district ended on Sunday evening, when leaders and cadres of various political parties made a final push to canvass votes.

The stage is now set for polling on October 6. Both the Assembly segments were declared vacant following the resignation of Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama on May 25. They were elected on AIADMK tickets from Madurantakam and Dharapuram, respectively, and resigned within three weeks of being elected to the House. They switched sides to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and are in the race on behalf of the party.

Unlike recent Assembly byelections in Tamil Nadu, the polls in these two constituencies feature a five-cornered contest. The TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance are in the fray. The Left front is contesting separately, while the Naam Tamilar Katchi is going it alone.

On the last day of the campaign, TVK president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay went on a roadshow in Dharapuram, canvassing votes for Ms. Sathyabama. Meanwhile, Minister Aadhav Arjuna and other TVK leaders campaigned for Ms. Kumaravel in Madurantakam. DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami released video messages, canvassing votes for their respective candidates. Leaders of the Left parties and Naam Tamilar Katchi also concluded their campaigns.

The ruling TVK had deployed almost all Ministers as election in-charges in these two constituencies to oversee election work. Mr. Vijay, who had conducted a relatively limited campaign during the Assembly election, had campaigned extensively in these two segments. He addressed a public meeting in each and held roadshows for several kilometres.

The alliance arithmetic has also changed when compared to the previous election. The Congress, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League, which were part of the DMK-led alliance, are now with the TVK-led alliance.

The Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), which was part of the NDA, is now extending support to the TVK. The AIADMK accused the TVK of engineering the defection of its MLAs. Mr Palaniswami and AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran had campaigned extensively in both constituencies.

PMK’s stance

The Pattali Makkal Katchi, a key constituent of the NDA that has considerable influence in northern and western Tamil Nadu, had decided not to extend support to any alliance.

The DMK also undertook an extensive campaign in both Assembly segments, with former Ministers camping and overseeing the poll work. Mr. Stalin and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin too have campaigned in both constituencies.

Counting on October 9

A total of 27 candidates are in the fray in Madurantakam, while 22 are in the contest in Dharapuram. Polling will begin at 7 a.m. on October 6 and continue until 6 p.m. Counting of votes will take place on October 9, and the results will be declared.

A recap of how political parties fared in the 2026 Assembly elections

Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh on Monday (September 14, 2026) said speaking “obscenely and derogatorily” is the core DNA of the opposition DMK and warned of strict legal action against those making disparaging remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Addressing reporters, the Minister acknowledged that staging protests and demonstrations is a fundamental democratic right, but strongly condemned the use of foul language during political events.

His comments came a day after senior DMK leader A. Raja made an alleged personal attack on state Law Minister R/ Nirmal Kumar during a DMK agitation.

“Speaking obscenely, derogatorily, and spreading lies is the DNA of the DMK. If they didn’t do this, it would be surprising. We are continuously opposing this culture,” the Minister said.

Also read: DMK stages protest against TVK government in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga

The Minister also hit out at former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, stating that he had nurtured the party with such a culture.

“The biggest example of this is his own son. He constantly makes double-meaning remarks, places cheap criticisms, and speaks derogatorily about ministers…” Mr. Ramesh charged.

Responding to a query about a former DMK HR&CE minister using disrespectful singular terms against the CM, Mr. Ramesh said the government would not tolerate it.

“Strict action will definitely be taken against anyone who speaks degradingly about the Chief Minister, women, or the public. When your speech lacks ‘Aram’ (morality), what qualification do you have to have managed the HR&CE department?” he questioned.

Mr. Ramesh also dismissed AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami’s allegations regarding a spike in crimes against women over the last three months. Blaming previous administrations for the deteriorating law and order, Mr. Ramesh stated that the current government is actively fixing the systemic issues left behind.

“Did crimes suddenly spike in these three months? What we are witnessing is the continuation of the law and order deterioration from the past five years. Chief Minister Vijay is taking swift, concrete measures to ensure women’s safety by introducing the ‘Singappen’ special task force and a dedicated anti-drug wing,” he asserted.

Mr. Ramesh further lauded the CM’s administrative initiatives, noting his efforts to elevate Tamil Nadu’s sports to the global arena by encouraging local talent to achieve international recognition.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Friday yet again witnessed a debate over the State government’s decision to buy new cars for MLAs.

The topic became a point of discussion after DMK MLA G.V. Markandayan said the TVK government, which promised “change”, should focus on implementing their promises such as ₹2,500 per month for women, and providing six domestic LPG cylinders free of cost among others, instead of providing cars to the MLAs.

Responding to this, Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said the cars were being provided so that MLAs could visit the length and breadth of their constituencies, and alleged that he had been told by people in villages that Mr. Markandayan had never met them.

Health Minister K.G. Arun Raj said it had been only 100 days since the TVK had formed the government but the Chief Minister [C. Joseph Vijay] has been implementing his promises.

Poll promises

“Today, we are giving approvals to building construction without taking money/square foot. How are you saying there is no change? Despite knowing why finances were bad, why did you [erstwhile DMK government] say you will build a “Pen” memorial [at the Marina, in memory of late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi]?” he asked.

On his part, Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan questioned the DMK for organising the “car race” (Formula 4 night race) in August/September 2024. To this, DMK deputy floor leader K.N. Nehru, said the former Sports Minister (Udhayanidhi Stalin) organised several sporting events such as chess, hockey competitions and also the car-racing event.

Mr. Udhayanidhi responded: “Our leader [former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin] said that whoever [MLA] needed a car, can be given one. The DMK legislators need not be given cars. There is now a debate on car racing. It was an international race. We organised a night race for the first time in Asia. We did it. At the time, many went to court saying it was not safe. But the court allowed it. You are not belittling us, you are belittling motor sport racers.”

Minister for Public Works Aadhav Arjuna on Monday engaged the DMK MLAs in a debate over the welfare of Scheduled Castes and their representation and the DMK’s ability to attract minority votes without having the Congress in its coalition.

When former Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan said the DMK had built a manimandapam for B.R. Ambedkar and renamed the Madras Law College as Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, along with the DMK’s other contributions towards empowering Scheduled Castes, the current Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan recalled that it was the Congress government in the 60s that had given Cabinet berths to P. Kakkan, who served as the State Home Minister and to B. Parameswaran, who served as Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.

‘DMK cadre’s hardwork’

When Mr. Govi Chezhiaan responded stating that it was due to the contribution and hardwork of the DMK cadre that Mr. Viswanathan won from Melur constituency, Mr. Aadhav retorted: “DMK often says that they are the reason why coalition parties such as the Congress, the VCK, the IUML won. The DMK had 22 to 23 party alliances, and they won three consecutive elections comprehensively. But, in 2026, the TVK became the single largest party. If the DMK didn’t have their alliance partners — the Congress, VCK, IUML and the Left parties — they would have won just 10 seats. The reason why Muslims voted in Chennai is due to the Congress and the VCK. But, in 2026, they have lost 14 seats in Chennai. They would have lost the two seats in Chennai too.”

The Minister added: “Can the DMK contest alone and win 50 seats?”

After DMK MLA K.N. Nehru asserted that the Congress could never win without the support of the DMK, Congress MLA Tharahai Cuthbert said the Bharat Jodo Yatra undertaken by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was instrumental in the DMK alliance winning all of its Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. In response, Mr. Nehru said: “You went on a yatra across India. But, in Tamil Nadu alone, you got 10 seats.”

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) said restraining Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leaders from making public statements linking political rivals with the Karur stampede may amount to an injunction on “free speech.”

The court advised the Opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to counter such statements with “more speech”, rather than seek a judicial gag.

The remarks by a Bench headed by Justice K.V. Viswanathan came during the hearing of an application filed by DMK Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, alleging that TVK leaders, including Aadhav Arjuna, were publicly making false accusations of criminal liability and issuing “threats” against political opponents in connection with the Karur stampede. Mr. Bharathi had also sought to be impleaded as a party in the Karur stampede case pending before the Supreme Court.

The tragedy left 41 people dead and 142 injured during a TVK rally on September 27 last year. The apex court had ordered a CBI investigation into the stampede on October 13, 2025. The probe is continuing, and some TVK leaders have been named as accused.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Mr. Bharathi, said TVK leaders, including Mr. Arjuna, who is also an accused in the stampede case under CBI investigation, should be restrained from making public statements on the case during the pendency of the investigation.

“That may amount to an injunction on free speech. Mr. Kumar. Which law sanctions it? You also make your speeches, you counter free speech with more speech,” Justice Viswanathan remarked.

The Bench questioned the propriety of entertaining the impleadment plea of a political rival in a case in which it had ordered a CBI investigation and was monitoring its progress. Justice Viswanathan said the court could not be converted into a political forum and that political battles must be fought outside the courtroom.

Further, Mr. Kumar objected to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s proposed visit to Karur on July 10 to meet the families of the stampede victims and hand over compassionate appointments. He said the State government had already announced an ex gratia payment of ₹10 lakh to the affected families.

Mr. Kumar said a “narrative is being built by the accused persons. I am not against the compensation, I am against compensation being given directly by the accused to the families, who are also witnesses in the case,” the senior advocate said.

The court said Mr. Vijay was arraigned as an accused neither in the FIRs nor in the DMK’s own application.

“You please check up on your facts,” Justice Viswanathan said.

The judge asked how the Supreme Court was expected to “regulate the itinerary” of the Chief Minister.

“If the Executive Head is travelling to merely distribute what has already been ordered for the victims by the State government, how will the victims be influenced? Does it not really reflect your thoughts on the victims?” Justice Viswanathan asked, expressing doubt whether the application was “well-thought through” in the first place.

Acting on instructions, Mr. Kumar withdrew the application.

The Tamil Nadu government will issue an order by the end of this month or early July on production of dhotis and sarees for free distribution during Pongal, said Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi K. Vijay Balaji on Thursday (June 25).

The Minister told The Hindu that the aim was to ensure that the free dhoti and saree scheme benefitted both the weavers and the public. The government would usually issue the order for production of the dhotis and sarees in October or November for distribution in January. However, the TVK-led government would issue the order soon.

The Revenue Department would take a call on the scope of increasing the number of sarees and dhotis to be produced, he added.

The Minister had also ordered a detailed study of every handloom cluster in the State, said T.N. Venkatesh, Principal Secretary, Department of Textiles, Handlooms, Khadi and Handicrafts. The aim was to extend focused intervention to support and sustain the hand weaving activity in these clusters. The Handloom Day would be celebrated in a grand manner this year on August 7, he added.

The CPI will take a decision on continuing in the DMK-led alliance at the conclusion of the party’s executive and administrative committee meetings to be held this week, its State secretary M. Veerapandian said in Denkanikottai on Monday.

On the sidelines of CPI-led protests against eviction orders issued by the Hindu Religious and Endowments Board to decades-old settlements on poramboke lands, he fielded queries from mediapersons on speculations of his party’s continuance in the DMK-led alliance on the heels of CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam’s saying the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance did not exist. He said that was the CPI(M)’s stand, while the CPI would make an “authoritative” announcement after the executive and administrative committee meetings, scheduled from June 9 to 11.

Naturally, when all the parties that were part of the DMK alliance are now supporting or participating in the new government, such questions arise, the CPI leader said.

“An announcement on if we are still part of the alliance or have already parted ways will only come an authoritative statement after the party’s executive committee meeting this week and not as off-handed remark. “ Similarly, the party’s position on the bye-elections in Tamil Nadu will also be discussed, Mr.Veerapandian said.

At the same time, he expressed his dissatisfaction over DMK leader MK Stalin’s remarks doubting the longevity of the government under the TVK for beyond three months. “As a senior leader, it was not right on Mr. Stalin’s part to express such comments,” he said.

Mr. Veerapandian reiterated that the Left parties were very much still a part of the INDIA bloc, “which is of utmost importance” nationally.

The North Beach police station has registered a case against Harbour MLA and former DMK Minister P.K. Sekarbabu for threatening the TVK candidate Sinora Ashok during the altercation which happened at the constituency on the polling day of April 23. The police have filed a case against Sekar Babu under seven sections, including attempt to murder. 

A senior official of the city police said that, during the polling, an altercation broke out between the supporters of Mr. Sekarbabu and Mr. Ashok on Mannadi Angappa Naicken Street in George Town. The dispute erupted following allegations that DMK members had attempted to capture the polling booth. Complaints regarding this incident was lodged by both the political parties involved.

In the complaint filed by Mr. Ashok, the North Beach Police have registered a case against Mr. Sekarbabu and other individuals under seven sections of the BNS, including under Section 109(1) (attempted murder) and 351(2) of criminal intimidation. 

M.K. Stalin, president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and outgoing Chief Minister, on Thursday (May 7, 2026) hurriedly convened a meeting of the party’s allies, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), the Communist Party of India (CPI), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), amid speculation that the DMK may extend support to an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government headed by Edappadi K. Palaniswami.

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan were among those who rushed to Mr. Stalin’s Cenotaph Road residence to attend the meeting. Senior leaders of the DMDK also took part.

Though Mr. Stalin is said to be firm that supporting an AIADMK government would be politically untenable, senior DMK leaders, including some senior outgoing Ministers, were reportedly pressuring him to consider such a proposal.

“Once Mr. Vijay forms the government, it will be difficult to unseat him for the next 10 to 15 years. The Dravidian parties have to take a decision to prevent such an eventuality,” a senior DMK leader said.

The argument within the DMK is that, since Mr. Stalin would not be in the Assembly, the DMK and the AIADMK could evolve a common minimum programme and jointly run the government.

It is against this backdrop that Mr. Stalin invited the Left leaders and Mr. Thirumavalavan for consultations. Depending on the views expressed by the alliance partners, the DMK legislators’ meeting scheduled for this evening is expected to take a final call.

However, previously, DMK MP Kalanidhi Veerasamy, said the DMK had decided to function as an effective opposition despite “Congress betrayal”. In a social media message, he alleged that the AIADMK was pushing the BJP to stop the TVK from forming the government. “This is disrespecting the people’s mandate. Hope democracy prevails,” he said.