Chennai Hoarding Row: Ground Check Finds Political Banners Persist Despite Curbs, Safety Concerns
An India Today ground check in Chennai reveals that the political poster and hoarding culture continues unabated across key areas, including Mylapore and Warren Road. Despite orders curbing illegal displays, banners and hoardings belonging to various political parties, including the ruling TVK, remain widely visible, posing significant safety hazards for pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. The issue has also reached the Madras High Court, with TVK MLA ECR Saravanan moving the court to quash an FIR registered against him over unauthorised hoardings. Amid public backlash over the civic nuisance, appeals have been issued to cadre urging them to halt the practice and remove banners, yet questions persist over enforcement.
Annamalai’s We The Leaders to Contest Tamil Nadu Civic Polls, Assembly Elections After BJP Exit
Former BJP leader and former IPS officer K. Annamalai is preparing for his next political step with his movement, We The Leaders. Four months after quitting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Annamalai announced that the platform will contest the upcoming urban local body elections in Tamil Nadu, followed by the assembly elections. The development marks his first electoral test since leaving the party, testing whether his grassroots campaign can translate into political capital. The report also highlights his earlier observations regarding governance in Tamil Nadu and his criticism concerning the dropped Parandur Airport project.
Excl: Congress MP Praveen Chakravarty on SIR Row and Questions Over Voter Deletions in Kerala, TN
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Praveen Chakravarty addressed controversies surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and recent election outcomes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Rejecting allegations of foul play behind election results, Chakravarty maintained that correlation does not imply causation, stating, "I can tell you 100% that there is simply no causation effect between percentage of voters deleted in constituencies and vote share of political parties." He explained that statistical regression analysis reveals no link between voter list revisions and victories. Furthermore, Chakravarty defended alliance partner Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), noting they had previously petitioned the Supreme Court against the arbitrary nature of the SIR process. Addressing public demonstrations, he announced an upcoming INDIA bloc public meeting in Chennai to safeguard democracy and oppose the perceived partisanship of the Election Commission of India. He also affirmed that any excessive police crackdowns on peaceful protests are entirely unacceptable across all states.
CEC Row: Oppn Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Over SIR, But Ally TVK Stays Away From Resignation Demand
Across the national capital and various states, the INDIA bloc has mounted street demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. However, ally TVK has remained conspicuously absent from protests in Delhi and Chennai. While TVK reiterated its objection to SIR and condemned Rahul Gandhi's detention, the party has avoided backing the demand for the CEC's resignation. The stance highlights a balancing act within the alliance, as TVK maintains a measured distance despite protests led by coalition partner Congress and opposition groups in Tamil Nadu.