Shares of Sun TV Network crashed over 5% on June 19 after a family feud came to light. Dayanidhi Maran accused elder brother Kalanithi Maran of taking control of the Rs23,000 crore Sun TV through fraudulent practices soon after their father Murasoli Maran’s death in 2003. Now, there are reports that the legal battle over Sun TV ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections has begun to worry the ruling DMK. DMK leaders have begun to worry how they would face the polls without media, muscle and money. They are not only feeling caught between feuding Maran brothers but also feel they have no answer for the TASMAC liquor scam involving close aides of Deputy CM Udhaynidhi Stalin. Sources close to DMK say Dayanidhi’s revelation is bound to please chief minister MK Stalin’s son-in-law V Sabareesan as well as be music to ears of his sister DMK Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi, who also runs a TV media network Kalaignar. Both Sabareesan and Kani have been in cold and watched Udhaynidhi flex his muscles. In his notice, Dayanidhi sought to restore the Sun TV’s shareholding structure to its pre-September 2003 status. This implies that Dayanidhi and his sister, Anbukarasi Maran, along with MK Stalin, and his two brothers and sister, would be the owners of Sun TV, as Kalanithi did not own any shares in the company 22 years ago. Dayanidhi says that after their father’s death, Kalanithi took over more than 75% of the company, while the shares held by their parents were reduced from 50% to just one single share. He claims Kalanithi used none of his own money to do this. He has threatened to request a government investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office if Kalanithi does not agree to fix the issue. The notice says that when Sun TV was founded in 1985, the only shareholders were MK Dayalu (Karunanidhi’s second wife) and Mallika (Murasoli Maran’s wife).

In an interesting move, the Tamil Nadu government decided to lend a hand to residents of ‘Madrasi Camp’ in New Delhi, whose unauthorised houses on the bank of the Barapullah drain were demolished by the Delhi Development Authority. An official release said the State government, as directed by Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, would help the residents return to their native districts, if they chose to do so. They would be given comprehensive support, including assistance for livelihood, through the Collectors, it said.. ‘Madrasi Camp’ is an informal habitation along the bank of the Barapullah Jangpura drain, near Nizamuddin Railway Station in South Delhi. It had 370 slum dwelling units. The settlement was predominantly inhabited by persons of Tamil Nadu origin. The Delhi High Court had noted that ‘Madrasi Camp’ was an “unauthorized construction/encroachment” that had led to the obstruction and blockage of the Barapullah drain, “causing significant waterlogging in the surrounding areas, especially during the monsoon”. It had directed that eligible residents be rehabilitated and relocated under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board Act (DUSIB). The DUSIB determined that 215 out of the 370 residents were eligible for allotment of residential units under the economically weaker section category at Narela. On May 9  all petitions filed by the residents were disposed of by the Delhi High Court, which ordered the commencement of demolition at ‘Madrasi Camp’ from June 1.While nearly half of the residents were offered alternate accommodation — most residents didn’t quite warm up to the idea of moving back to TN.  At least one resident lamented over the lack of opportunities in TN. “They should give first jobs to those already in Chennai and then they should call us,” was the general refrain.

With the Election Commission announcing elections for six Rajya Sabha seats in the MLA quota from Tamil Nadu to be held on June 19, the race for bagging party nominations has apparently heated up in Chennai. Though the DMK and AIADMK alliances are expected to retain the same number of seats they currently hold in the Rajya Sabha, political circles are abuzz with speculation about who will succeed the outgoing members. Sources claim that since DMK had promised actor Kamal Haasan a Rajya Sabha seat before Lok Sabha elections, it may accommodate him this year. No official announcement has been made so far but the only hitch seems to be a race of sorts between Kamal Haasan and former editor of The Hindu N Ram for one of the four seats the DMK alliance is guaranteed to win. With Ram emerging as the contender, it is being said, things could be tricky as both are Iyengar Brahmins. In an election year the DMK can’t be seen giving RS seats to Brahmins. Ram is viewed as being very close to the chief minister MK Stalin. Ram is seen walking with him in the morning. As for the remaining two DMK-alliance seats, sources indicate that the DMK may continue to allot Vaiko’s seat to either Vaiko himself or another senior leader from the party. For the last seat, currently held by R Shanmugam, who represents the DMK-affiliated Labour Progressive Federation, sources say it might again be given to a trade union representative. It will also be interesting to know who will get nominated from the PMK seat given the internal rift between PMK Chief S Ramadoss and his son Anbumani Ramadoss, political observers say the chances of Anbumani being renominated are slim.

The unbearable summer heat and humidity quotient in Tamil Nadu were further intensified by the fierce exchange between chief minister MK Stalin and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), even as Stalin took off to participate in the NITI Aayog meet. Viral watchers had a field time lapping up this internecine exchange. EPS reminded his bête noire about how Stalin had thundered about boycotting NITI Aayog for not giving TN its dues in funds. What turned the wheels now? EPS scorched …this sudden urge to fly to Delhi is not for TN but saving his family. Remember his late father and the 2G rescue mission? Stalin is all set to open a white truce umbrella for the family rescue. Stalin is talking about a mystery Thambi (younger brother). Who is this Thambi he wants to save? The CM, no novice at cutting edge filmi dialogue, gave it back. Edappadi has not changed from his fabled ambulatory mode …crawling and creeping to clasp feet. So why carp and crow about my visit?  It took just one raid for his party to strike an alliance with BJP and float the white flag manoeuvre. Stalin’s repartee, this hand which has waved the Red and Black DMK flag, a super emblem of scholars and statesmen, Arignar Anna and Kalaignar, will never creep and crawl for favours. His dialogue could be straight out of the cult classic Parasakti which took both Karunanidhi and Shivaji Ganesan to dizzying heights of artistic popularity. Meanwhile EPS is still asking the question “Who is this shadow superman…the charismatic Thambi hailed by you and your son? Has he flown the coop? If you have guts and integrity reveal Thambi’s identity”. The people of TN want to know.

Recently when DMK MP Kanimozhi took a meeting of party workers in her Thoothukudi Lok Sabha parliamentary constituency to ask them for things to be done in the area by the state government ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections next year, she was quite surprised by the feedback that she got from her team. Her party workers reportedly told her that there wasn’t much she would have to mobilise from her brother MK Stalin government. That is because the newly appointed state BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who is an MLA from Tirunelveli, which is part of adjacent Parliament constituency, more than ensures fulfilment of local area needs. Nagendran has such good equations with Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin — for that matter with all leaders cutting across party lines — that DMK workers wanted to know from Kanimozhi what was his status vis a vis the DMK. After all, as soon as he took over as BJP chief, Stalin had wished him on X. Such friendly messaging naturally confused the party cadres. The DMK cadres wanted to know from Kanimozhi whether they oppose him or treat him well? These questions surprised Kanimozhi who asked the cadres to focus on strengthening the party. BJP sources admit that the forever pleasant Nagendran has always been a helpful leader. Ever since he took charge as BJP chief he has been renewing contacts with all old and senior BJP leaders from TN. He has been calling on them with the trademark Tirunelveli halwa and traditional sweets from the state. He has certainly been making waves winning friends.

The ruling DMK made its point in Tamil Nadu when it took out a rally to display its solidarity with the armed forces that were actively engaged in the conflict with Pakistan. The ceasefire announcement may have come just as the rally was moving on to the Marina Beach Road, but the DMK has only upholding a tradition of the party supporting the Union government during any external threat to the nation. Carrying the national flag and walking the Marina promenade has been a tradition since the war against China broke out in 1962, which was when the DMK founder Annadurai declared that his party was giving up its separate Tamil homeland (Dravida Nadu) demand in a national Indian cause. The Congress may have run the same kind of rally in Hyderabad and Chennai before chief minister MK Stalin walked to display his solidarity, but the DMK march for a national cause has been something that the party has always revered. So much so, even the Governor RN Ravi lauded the DMK for the rally. Of course, the DMK has come a long way since supporting such causes as Eelam, with a territory covering Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu as a Tamil homeland. Such thoughts are probably only nursed by the likes of Vaiko and other politicians who remain wedded to the romantic notion of a Tamil nation.

The AIADMK-BJP alliance is not the only cause of anxiety for DMK chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin. Senior ministers in his cabinet are as much of a headache for the chief honcho. While trusted lieutenant and money handler V Senthil Balaji put in his resignation on April 27 after strictures from the top court, so too the education minister K Ponmudy  quit on the same day as he was also under fire for needlessly disparaging comments that drew the ire of a High Court judge who called for a suo motu FIR against him. Did he really need to joke about Brahmin sects and sexual positions and denigrating the whole of womanhood? Brahmin baiting may be fair game for the DMK that evolved out of the Justice Party, but vilifying women outraged a senior woman party leader in Kanimozhi who spoke out. The most senior minister among Stalin’s cabinet colleagues, Duraimurugan, who was just emerging from the woods after a tasteless description of physically challenged people — whom he called ‘nondis’ using an old Tamil term for lame people — when an old case came out of the woodwork to haunt him. A DA case has re-emerged to trouble the minister as the Madras High Court cancelled his acquittal by a lower court. Even the highly regarded IT minister Dr P Thiaga Rajan (PTR) was pulled up by the Speaker for saying in the Assembly that his ministry had no funds to create new IT parks. He was told there must be a better way to approach the government for funds.

Dr P Thiaga Rajan (PTR), Tamil Nadu IT minister was seen as a wunderkind when came back from the U.S. to revive his political and family connections in Madurai. He joined the DMK and was quickly rewarded by chief minister MK Stalin with a cabinet post. But it didn’t take long for the awestruck scales to drop…his unique talent and standalone abilities created a rift with those who swore by “Dravidian” versus his hybrid talents, swung from Gesellschaft to Gemeinschaft. Not just unique, he was unequivocal too in expressing his views fearlessly, shocking entrenched party loyalists. His recent speech in the TN Assembly was the flashpoint for Stalin’s anger. The fuse was lit when someone from his party asked about his earlier projects and new ones. He apparently grumbled about the lack of adequate funding for the IT Ministry…“even as Rs 20, 000 crore allocation is sanctioned, the IT ministry got only 200 crore, now cut to Rs150 crore. Even then we used the funds prudently but faced several deficits in projects. Like other states, all IT parks don’t come under this ministry, excepting the small ELCOT …whereas TIDEL and other mega parks are under the Industries Ministry.” Was PTR holding a grudge against Rajaa? The fallout of this frankness was immediate. When PTR invited Stalin to release a book on his grandfather…after some hesitation Stalin agreed but only to pull the carpet from under PTR at the event. In his speech Stalin said: “PTR has excellent communication and strong debating talent. But these abilities often turn into weaknesses by excessive open talk” leaving PTR squirming.  Talk is rife that PTR may be sent to Delhi via the Rajya Sabha. When you are inconvenient, you become convenient…to be deputed.

Closeted with his lawyers after leaving the Assembly session early, Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji was wondering when to put in his resignation. Given a sharper deadline by the Supreme Court to either resign or risk losing the bail given to him after more than a year in jail, the minister for prohibition as well as electricity — major portfolios through which large amounts of money flow — may have boxed himself into a corner now. A Jaya loyalist who once made a name for efficiency as well as an ability to keep everyone in the cabinet happy, Senthil Balaji made himself an invaluable member of Stalin’s government. Having defied the edicts of the top court which gave him bail only on the grounds that Article 21 may have been breached in continuous imprisonment as an undertrial and thus denied his human rights, the minister might become the first victim as the tide turns in judicial circles for Tamil Nadu. The state is still celebrating verdicts in its battle against Governor RN Ravi. While time may have run out for Senthil Balaji who had tested the court’s patience after becoming a minister just a few days after getting bail in a money laundering case, other TN ministers are also in trouble with the judiciary. An old disproportionate assets case has come back to haunt senior minister Duraimurugan. Another minister, K Ponmudy earned the wrath of the Madras High Court after disparaging comments against the religious sects of Brahmins and women seemed to disappear from public memory. The judge has asked the court to take suo motu notice of his offence of hate speech and asked for a FIR to be filed.

Karma has its own way of catching up with transgressions and calculated hurt strategies. Nearly 10 days have passed since K Ponmudy, senior DMK leader made his kamasutra speech insulting not just women but a religious sect and devotional symbols of the so-called majority. Hindus, especially Brahmins have been silently suffering this outrage as they lack unity and as always expect the state law and order machinery to come to their rescue. They were lucky. A Madras High Court Judge was not going to watch this hate attitude passively. Even as Ponmudy’s disproportionate wealth case came up for hearing, this HC Judge took up this “lewd comment” issue which went viral. A weak apology was tendered…“it happened without thinking, it won’t happen again,” said Ponmudy. The HC Judge said, “it is like an arrow that has already left the bow…but no action taken so far…that is worrying.” Such talk by any other person would have erupted into a rash of cases, and he put the video on view for all to see. If action is not taken immediately, officers shall face contempt. Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu DGP did not appear but Advocate General PS Raman was in his place. Even as opposition and political leaders protested and thundered at this bias, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin who stripped him of all his powers and suspended him, is said to have called Ponmudy to his room at the Assembly and warned him to lie low, and see this storm through. As you sow, you shall reap.

Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin is a “stated atheist” though his wife Durga is an entrenched devotee of the Hindu pantheon. Even those who cluck at this family dichotomy admit that right now the stars, satellites, Gods and The Economist are all smiling at him. The UK-based news magazine, The Economist in its April 4 edition has posted a very objective piece on the “delimitation” plan of the Centre after the census. For those who are yet to catch up with this constitutional upheaval, if this delimitation is implemented, TN and the four peninsular states except AP along with Punjab may lose representation in Parliament due to the success of their family planning efforts. And the overpopulated Hindi heartland states with their bursting demography and low living standards may benefit by getting an increased number of MPs in the Lok Sabha. Stalin was the first off the block to form a Joint Action Committee to vociferously protest this plan…a move that has earned him the admiration of the Southern states. As it is he is battling the “imposition” of Hindi in TN. Even Home Minister Amit Shah’s reassurance “Southern states will get a fair share” has been dubbed by Stalin as vague and not substantial. The icing on the cake came with the Supreme Court’s verdict questioning the Governor’s role …stymying and stalling bills passed in the Assembly. TN is currently on top in many growth indices, a key contributor to the national economy, its share being 9.21% to the country’s GDP in 23-24. After being elected in 2021 with a significant majority, Stalin has often voiced his dream of making TN a $1 trillion economy by 2030… but has he laid a strong foundation? 

With Home Minister Amit Shah in Chennai sort of overseeing transition in Tamil Nadu BJP from K Annamalai to Nainar Nagendran ahead of state assembly polls next year and ensuring sealing of the AIADMK-BJP alliance, there were ripples in the DMK over sexist and anti-Hindu utterances of a senior party functionary and forest minister K Ponmudy. A video clip of his derogatory remarks made on April 6 had gone viral. While senior leader and Udhayanidhi loyalist, Duraimurugan refused to sign a letter sacking Ponmudy from party post, it was left to TN chief minister MK Stalin to sign the order stripping Ponmudy of party post. DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Shiva replaced Ponmudy.  It is being said Stalin was advised to take action against Ponmudy by his religious minded wife Durga as his anti-Hindu remarks were found very offensive. Interestingly, the person who first flagged the protest against sexist remarks of Ponmudy in the family was Stalin’s sister and DMK MP Kanimozhi. In a X post, Kanimozhi hit out at Ponmudi and said his remarks were unacceptable. Meanwhile Duraimurugan issued an apology for calling “Divyangs” as handicapped and speaking irresponsibly. However, what these random changes in the DMK indicate is that discontent against Udhayanidhi and the other influential relative (Stalin’s son-In-law  is bound to grow in the run-up to assembly elections.

With the AIADMK under Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) continuing to play truant, the BJP seems to be already working on its alternative options. Yes, with EPS continuing to be elusive about a tie-up with the BJP, post his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, the TN BJP seems to be working full time to explore tie-ups. Possibilities of a tie-up between the BJP and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) opened up when NTK chief Seeman and BJP state president K Annamalai shared the stage at SRM University on April 7. What set off the buzz of a tie -up was that Seeman praised PM Modi. Who is Seeman? Senthamizhan Seeman is an actor and former filmmaker. NTK has always managed to win at least 8-9% votes in the last few polls. Even as he regards slain LTTE chief V Pirabhakaran as his mentor, Seeman has been making scathing attacks on Periyar, the icon of the Dravidian movement, questioning his love for Tamil people and culture. The DMK government has registered cases against him but has never dared to put him behind the bars. He has also severely criticised TN chief minister M K Stalin, his son and deputy CM Udayanidhi Stalin. Seeman is a strong advocate of Tamil nationalism. Speaking to the students, Seeman lauded Modi for his efforts to showcase Tamil’s antiquity globally. Echoing the PM, Seeman also emphasized the importance of the mother tongue. At Rameshwaram, Modi had chided the DMK ministers for not even signing in Tamil in their letters to the Centre.  Annamalai, during his speech, called Seeman a “commander on the battlefield,” recognizing his strong stand on Tamil identity. Annamalai observed: “I see Tamil in nationalism. Seeman sees nationalism in Tamil.” The buzz is that Seeman may meet Modi soon, possibly at a location outside TN.

On the penultimate day of the Budget Session, the MPs belonging to the DMK were spotted in the Parliament wearing black shirts. It was not clear what they were protesting about. One of their MPs — P Wilson — who is on the panel to preside over Rajya Sabha could be seen sporting a black shirt and presiding over the House. In the past few weeks the DMK MPs have been protesting Centre’s approach to the state, particularly over New Education Policy and denial of funds to it. schools.  In the state assembly chief minister MK Stalin sported a black badge and even got a resolution moved against the Waqf Bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha. This must be added to the state’s tally of assembly resolutions denouncing the Centre’s moves. First one was on the NEET. Meanwhile, it is learnt Sivaganga Congress MP Karti P Chidambaram managed to get a quiet word with PM Modi last week over the menace of stray dogs. He pointed out how India was home to one of the largest stray dog populations — 6.2 crore – globally. The meeting with Modi must have boosted Karti’s stock among TN leaders and also surprised Rahul Gandhi who has always cold shouldered him. In a post on X, Karti explained how India was endemic for rabies, responsible for 36% of the world’s rabies-related deaths. “I raised concerns about the inadequacy of the current system, where local bodies lack the resources, funding, and technology to tackle this issue effectively. It’s clear that urgent action is required. I suggested establishing a National Task Force to provide a holistic, humane, and scientific solution while working closely with local bodies.”

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) arrived in Delhi on March 25 morning in a surprise visit sparking off speculations that he has reached the national capital to formalise AIADMK-BJP alliance ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. His sudden visit comes when he appears to be softening his stance with the BJP is a significant shift from his earlier opposition to it. The AIADMK had walked out of the NDA in October 2023, months ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Yet, the BJP in TN under K Annamalai’s stewardship had managed to double its vote share to 11%.  Of course, neither the AIADMK nor the BJP could win any LS seat. With the entry of actor Vijay’s TVK party, it is possible that EPS once again feels the need to avoid a fragmented Opposition vote to take on the ruling DMK. Mired in liquor-marketing corruption of TASMAC that is being probed by the ED, the DMK is skating on thin ice and may meet the same fate as AAP in Delhi. It is in this backdrop that Palaniswami’s hurried visit to Delhi is of interest. Officially, he told the media that he was just “looking up” Rs 10 crore AIADMK office he had recently launched via video. However, the main agenda is to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other key BJP leaders to draw up electoral strategies. Palaniswami’s surprise visit to Delhi had so stunned TN chief minister MK Stalin even publicly hoped in the state assembly that his AIADMK rival would articulate DMK’s views on New Education Policy or how the state loves the 2-language formula. Surely, Stalin knows an AIADMK-BJP alliance can simply unseat him in the upcoming polls.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin learnt much at his father’s political nursery — watching, waiting and willing to learn. That seems to have paid off. Today, Stalin is a Southern leader who cannot be brushed off as irrelevant. In fact, after winning the 2021 assembly elections with a thumping majority he has projected himself as a leader of substance. Of course, his Dravidam, North South polarity and unfettered opposition to Hindi have irked and irritated his opponents. But which politician would willingly dilute his party’s ideology for temporary gains? Even as the anti-Tamil slogan is fanned by Stalin as the major foothold for the 2026 assembly elections, he has now taken on strongly the delimitation demand and has been successful in herding the to-be-affected states and their leaders into a common corral. Stalin has seamlessly moved in as leader of this group — Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, AP, Orissa and Punjab. On March 21, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was given a warm welcome as the first of the group when he landed in Chennai for a crucial strategy meet at the ITC Grand Chola. Senior DMK leaders Dr P Thiaga Rajan and Thamizhachi Thangapandian received him. Stalin referred to March 5 as a “Historic Day for Indian federalism” even as he projected his Joint Action Committee for fair delimitation. Stalin clearly knows which buttons are to be pushed at the right time.

Indians are compulsorily global now …travel, gourmet food, curated art, Boston Brahmin lifestyles, wine connoisseurs and of course elevating music crowned by symphonies and operas. This maestro is 82, has composed music for 1,000 films in nine languages and is considered as the Kohinoor of music. Ilaiyaraaja is our national treasure and his own pride and exhilaration was hard to hide as he spoke to the press on his way to London to record and launch his first symphony, Valient on 8th March. It is not an effort to denigrate pop and filmi music but composing a symphony puts him in that elite list of iconic names starting with Joseph Hayden (who created his first symphony in 1700), Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovasky and Mahler; legends who took this very structured and elevated creation to heights that few could emulate. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin called on the genius composer at his home to congratulate him on this achievement. Indeed, it is a matter of pride that India can boast of such a genius. For those of us who want to know why a symphony is special, systemised and soothing. It has four large pieces or “movements”, the first is the Sonata, the highlight of this structured music creation. The second, Scherzo is a slow and gentle exposition that calms your mind. The third is a dance, light and lively, preparing the audience for the fourth …the Finale, an exuberant crescendo culminating with high notes. At the recording, the emcee and music interpreter called Valient “a texturally brilliant piece of music”. Play the video and participate in the creation of Ilaiyaraaja.

Tamil Nadu’s father and son duo of MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin have embarked on a fight to the finish with the Centre on all issues. They know well that this confrontation is not going to get the state anywhere in terms of funding from the Union in important areas like education, but they are convinced that they will have the Tamil people more on their side if they continually oppose PM Narendra Modi, the BJP and the Centre. Their latest battle has lain in the third language formula domain in which the state will get more than Rs 2,100 crore funding if they adopt the New Education Policy. It is known that the third language need not necessarily be Hindi and can be any official language of India that a school offers, including the mother tongue of students who are from outside the state. But that has not stopped the father-son from ignoring the fact that the third language is not necessarily pro-Hindi nor Hindi imposition. It is the Tamil psyche shaped by the anti-Hindi agitation of the 1960s that the duo is exploiting along with their party that came to power because of the language agitation that began nearly a century ago when C Rajagopalachari oversaw the Madras Presidency in the 1930s. They are playing to the gallery and getting under the skin of New Delhi. Tamil pride and Tamil angst are what they are depending on as they plan to keep power. 

There was that brief break when Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai was in the UK for about three months. During that period, the internecine war between the DMK and Annamalai paused, only to start again, this time with overt threats and challenges. As it is the DMK is seeing bright red as BJP is withholding the education funds for TN, demanding the three-language formula be introduced in the state. Views are strongly divided on this daunting issue — a consensus compromise has to be reached. Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin has thrown the gauntlet; the DMK is openly saying that it will no longer be “Go back Modi” but a more virulent “Get out Modi”. Annamalai, just waiting for a chance to retaliate, has issued a fresh challenge with a prickly hashtag, “Get out Stalin” and has thrown the gauntlet “let’s see which hashtag gets the most hits”. In terms of dignified and grace filled political exchange, this appears totally immature. Minister for Health, Ma.Subramanian says, “Annamalai should control his speech”. For his part, Sekhar Babu, (minister for HR & CE), His Masters Voice for Stalin Sr and Jr is optimistic that the more hits DMK gets from BJP, the more DMK will bounce higher like a ball.  “Let Annamalai stand against our lowest level DMK cadre in the Assembly election. Its victory for the DMK”. Juggernauts are ready for the Colosseum.

In Tamil Nadu, the Dravidian major AIADMK is going through a minor crisis of confidence with a senior member in Sengottaiyan staying away from an event that felicitated the party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS). The former minister explained it away saying he was told there would be no portraits of party founder MGR and his protégé J Jayalalithaa at the venue and the party explained it away by saying the event was by a federation of farmers. The minor misunderstanding alone is not, however, what the leader and former chief minister EPS is facing. He is deprecated as the ‘dubbing voice’ of the BJP by TN chief minister MK Stalin and assailed every day by those who he had forced out of the party like TTV Dhinakaran of the Sasikala clan. While Palaniswami may be forced to accept that to go with the BJP in the Assembly elections of 2026 could be the only option given the scattered vote share of the Opposition, he is being offered an olive branch by the ousted former chief minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) who now senses an opportunity to call for unifying all forces so the party may regain the strength of old and be a force to be reckoned with in the state. OPS is now saying he is willing to patch up and return even with EPS as chief. provided fair elections are held soon with all party members allowed to vote for their chief. Meanwhile, word has come in that political advisers are saying that only a front against the ruling DMK with AIADMK, BJP and Vijay’s fledgling TVK could fancy its chances of downing the ruling party. 

At a time when pollsters are giving thumbs up to entry of actor Vijay and his party TVK in Tamil Nadu politics and see him as a potential challenger to the ruling DMK in 2026 assembly elections, the DMK has decided to acquire some star power and nominate veteran actor Kamal Haasan to the Rajya Sabha from its quota. He will most likely be a DMK MP, and not be known by the party he founded, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). Following up on its announcement, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin met Haasan at his Alwarpet office in person to congratulate him. It is significant that at a time, actor Vijay’s entry into active politics is making waves, Haasan should opt out of state politics and move to the Rajya Sabha. TN political circles feel the veteran actor’s exit could well spell the end of the road for his MNM, a party he had founded in 2018 and did not meet with much success in 2019 Lok Sabha polls or the 2021 assembly elections.  The DMK had assured Haasan, a Rajya Sabha berth as part of their electoral pact in 2024.  As a result, Haasan’s MNM extended its support to the INDIA-bloc in TN. On March 9, 2024, Haasan had visited the DMK headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where he signed an agreement with DMK president and TN chief minister MK Stalin. It isn’t just Kamal who has become part of the DMK juggernaut, even an ally like the Congress has not shown much willingness to resist DMK’s push for consolidation as it surrendered its claim to the seat in the latest round of by-election to Erode assembly seat The by-election was necessitated by the death of Congress MLA EVKS Elangovan in December.

The Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has been on a multi-year mission of taking on the state government at every possible opportunity. Unusually, chief minister MK Stalin had made a placatory gesture by attending the Governor’s Republic Day ‘At Home’ reception at the Raj Bhavan in 2024. Much water has flowed down the Cauvery in a year and the ties could not have been in a worse state than in 2025 when Stalin, his cabinet, his party DMK and all their allies turned their back on the Governor. Using the Republic Day as an excuse to put out a message, the Governor slammed the state’s economy, its ability to draw investments and the room it gives anti-national elements. This wasn’t a great gubernatorial gesture as the head of state is not expected to run down his own state, which is what the former Police/intelligence official did. Just a day earlier, the CM had at least taken a humorous view of the confrontational Governor issue by pleading to Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah not to shift RN Ravi out of the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan. The CM said his presence and his utterances have helped the DMK grow in the state. In his constant tirade against the DMK, its Periyarist ideological roots that recognises no gods and his lambasting the law & order situation in the state, the Governor has only helped the DMK gain more popular support as it is seen as being targeted by a representative of the Centre.

Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi has never spared a moment to corner TN chief minister M K Stalin and his government on their shortcomings. He has been regularly sending reports to Home Minister Amit Shah on the state of affairs in TN, much to the irritation of the ruling DMK. With the assembly polls next year, his Republic Day eve address has upset Stalin. Without mincing words, Ravi raised several critical concerns regarding TN’s socio-economic and administrative challenges. He expressed concern over the declining autonomy of universities, alleging that the state secretariat exerts significant control over university operations, including academic councils and vice chancellors’ appointments. He also criticised the curriculum and syllabus management, stating they are now heavily influenced by the State Government Council for Higher Education. Ravi highlighted the rising menace of drug syndicates in the state, frequent reports of caste-based discrimination and violence against Dalits, including their denial of access to public spaces. The Governor stated that TN is no longer a leading destination for private investment, trailing behind states like Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. He attributed this decline to dwindling foreign direct investment. Ravi further pointed to the state’s high suicide rate, at over 26 per lakh population — more than double the national average. He referred to Tamil Nadu as the “suicide capital of India”. He also raised concerns about national security, citing the National Investigation Agency’s discovery of terrorist modules and sleeper cells linked to international terror networks operating within the state. Notably, the Tamil Nadu government boycotted the tea party hosted by the Governor on Republic Day in response to these statements.

In Tamil Nadu the DMK’s succession plan is working extremely well with Udhayanidhi Stalin slipping into his role as Deputy CM and moving up in his rating to chair No 3 behind his dad and senior Durai Murugan in the Assembly. That may have freed up family anxieties over control of the party at a time when chief minister MK Stalin was not in the best of health. There has been good news for the family on that front too with the patriarch now in far better shape after the U.S. visit where he tended to his health as well as attract investments for the state. With Senthil Balaji back to his key role as funds handler who has the Electricity ministry as well as liquor – two lucrative money raisers in politics – even if it is to the chagrin of the top court that frowns upon such titles for someone who is out on bail, the ruling party and its first family are in total control of things.  The principal political task they are now aiming at is to keep the Opposition disunited. They do not wish to see actor Vijay and his fledgling political party joining hands with any of the majors to present a poll percentage challenge to DMK’s reelection in 2026. The DMK knows that in a 3-way or 4-way contest its basic cadre vote will see it through, but the task could get harder if Vijay were to enter an alliance with the principal rival AIADMK.

There are some undeniable advantages that give a leg up for climbing the beanstalk creeper of politics. Forty two year old Aadav Arjuna has many such born to and attained credits. He is tall, lives in Poes Garden, has a commanding personality, son-in-law of the fabled lottery king Santiago Martin, President of the Basketball Federation of India, part of the core team of election strategist Prashant Kishor and close to V Sabareesan, son in law of CM MK Stalin. This Arjuna is loaded, a walking asset. And of course the perfect alchemist for controversy. So when he walked into Thol Thirumavalavan’s VCK as a general secretary, it raised many eyebrows.  And he too raised several controversial issues. One such was his open statements about Tamil Nadu on monarch rule, especially after Udhayanidhi Stalin became deputy CM, raising the shackles of many that the party was run as a family fiefdom. Arjuna’s daily barbs and challenging the establishment could no longer be ignored. Udhayanidhi was riled up as Arjuna was in the VCK party, a significant ally of the DMK. And then the crowning heresy unfolded in an event co-organised by TN’s well known media house, the Vikatan Group and Arjuna’s “Voice of Commons”, in which the just minted, yet another social messiah, actor Vijay (TVK) was the chief guest. Vijay openly commented that in such an event for Dr BR Ambedkar, the absence of VCK’s Thiruma was notable. . And Vijay went on to welcome Aadav Arjuna for a great common cause, Dr Ambedkar. Is Arjuna joining Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam?Padma Ramnath

According to a recent report by CBRE, an American commercial space and investment firm, Chennai ranks #3 after Bengaluru #1 and Hyderabad # 2. The report titled: TN, The Next Frontier For Global Corporations says, a whopping 12-13 million sq ft of premium office space is set to be added to Chennai’s existing plush offices by 2025 and 2026. For global money to flow in, the report says the GCC index is critical. Tamil Nadu has developed many Global Capability Centres. Chennai boasts of over 250 such GCC’s currently and the plans to hit 460 by 2030. The most developed GCC centres are on OMR, Mount Poonamallee and PT Road accounting for 92% of the commercial leasing space.  Chennai has grown from 1.4 million sq ft ready to move in office & commercial space in 2022 to 2.3 million sq ft in just nine months of 2024. American firms accounted for 67% of this GCC capability. At the global summit meeting held in Chennai some time back, the Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said that his government’s aim is to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030. Now with a strong focus on developing AI capability, both as learning/teaching and application. TN at $ 300 billion is all set to turn into a South Indian Tiger economy, a status held by Hong Kong, UAE.

Alliance politics, an eternal feature of the Tamil Nadu political scene, has turned sharper with the advent of actor Vijay on the electoral stage. All the parties save the ruling DMK are running helter-skelter in their bid to stitch up an alliance before the 2026 Assembly polls. DMK is content to wait out the drama with parties rejecting each other as potential allies since this helps the ruling party to stay ahead in poll percentages. The arithmetic is simple. If the votes split three ways as they did in the Lok Sabha polls, the DMK stands to gain the most, or sweep everything as it did with 39 of 39 seats. If the votes are going to split four ways after Vijay’s entry, the DMK will be laughing all the way to Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony. The AIADMK, a shrewd player of alliance politics in the time of J Jayalalithaa, has not only split on her demise but also stands isolated in the alliance race. They don’t want to join the BJP again after the stinging 2021 experiment. Vijay does not want to join the AIADMK though the party would very much want the youthful politico on his side. The BJP is keeping the door open for AIADMK provided those shunted out are part of a united package. The DMK is only keen to keep VCK and its current allies on board. The more divided the opposition is, the better for MK Stalin and family.

The entry of super star Vijay into politics seems to have shaken the foundations of several political parties in Tamil Nadu. Every political party in TN pivoted 360 degrees –how would it affect their fortunes? Ironically, the November issue of India Today published India’s Power Pantheon list of the 20 most power wielding politicians … .and guess what, TN chief minister MK Stalin is ranked 8th after PM Narendra Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi and others. Despite Stalin’s ideological speak not reaching pan India, he has made his voice heard in the power echelons of Delhi, with 22 Lok Sabha MPs, 10 Rajya Sabha MPS, having won all 39 constituencies in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls cornering 70% vote share. Now this is the kind of power that Vijay wants to move and shake with his just minted outfit. Vijay himself a green horn with ambitions of turning into a second MGR who made history challenging Stalin’s father the late Kalaignar by founding the AIADMK. Without naming Vijay, Stalin said in his recent meet at his constituency, Kolathur, anybody can start a party and claim lofty status. But it needs years of experience and powerful DNA. As a counter to Vijay’s rally where 3 lakh plus people showed up, it is learnt that Stalin has asked DMK workers to make his son’s Udhayanidhi’s birthday on 27th November unforgettable by organizing a massive youth rally. Clearly, it is sending out a message to Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam that the DMK means business.

Is Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi who seems to be having a running battle with the DMK government headed by MK Stalin being replaced? Sources say he may be headed to The Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the foreign intelligence agency of India. This 1976 Kerala cadre IPS (hometown Bihar) wended his career path through the spooky labyrinths of the CBI and RAW as Additional Security Director, then did a brief stint in Nagaland before being appointed as the Governor of TN. Reams of news, views and ruse have been dedicated in writing about Ravi, his tempestuous relationship with Stalin, his talent for lighting fires when files were sent up for the Governors assent. Stalin’s strategy of “forgive and forget” saw him attending a Tea tete-a-tete at Raj Bhavan. The CM, making it clear hostilities to be contained, even conceded the prickly issue of K Ponmudi, Minister for Education and replaced him with Govindan Nedunchezhian popularly known as Govi Chezhiyan. Now comes the news that BJP’s big wig, former chief of staff VK Singh is on his way to TN as the new governor, to mend fences and sweeten the relationship with the DMK.

Sixty-year old popular star Jayaram Subramaniam has created a soft and stylish spot for himself in Kerala films despite Mammootty and Mohanlal’s reigning supreme as evergreens. His performance in the hit period drama Ponniyin Selvan (as Alwar Kadian Nambi, the articulate comic Brahmin) was as much the highlight of this epic drama as the pivotal characters of Ponni and Karikala  Chozhan. His 26-year old son Kalidas Jayaram has created a niche for himself in the film industry. Recently he was cast in the Dhanush film Raayan, and showed his mettle in the Tamil OTT anthology Pava Kadaigal in which he played a transgender. Kalidas is all set to marry Tarini Kalingarayan, a former Miss Tamil Nadu 2019, well known model and alumnus of MOP Vaishnav College. Jayaram and wife Parvathy had just celebrated daughter Malavika’s wedding in grand style , and it came as no surprise that they announced Kalidas ‘ wedding  too in quick succession. The only surprise was that Jayaram, Parvathy and Kalidas honoured MK Stalin, TN CM with the first invite. Not surprising it created a buzz as why had he not given the first invitation to the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan? In the world of politics and cinema events occur not according to the logic of mundane society. Celebrities have their own exalted status or political predilections. Superstar Mammootty’s son Dulquer Salmaan’s was an arranged marriage in 2011 to Amal Sufiya whose family is from North India. Mohan Lal’s son, Pranav Mohanlal’ marriage with Kalyani Priyadarshan has remained an enigmatic topic.  

Immediately after his ascension to the TN throne as Deputy CM, Udhayanidhi Stalin did the mandatory optic-filled rounds of feet touching of elders in the party, seeking their blessings. He did not ignore Rajathi Ammal, his second grandmother and his aunt Kanimozhi. The usual platitudes and well-wishing congratulations were extended. But wagging tongues continued to rustle up a huge stir of debate, debunking the obvious…that all is well in Stalin’s family and Kalaignar’s extended family, that Udhayanidhi was an inch away from the top seat of TN, and that Stalin had a firm grip over Party, Government and challengers. Stalin himself had gone through this gambit when his father had to sideline an impetuous, mercurial second son MK Alagiri and choose younger son Stalin. The buzz became very real when Kanimozhi posted on her Insta juxtaposed with a photo of her late Dad, “Appa I miss you, though you are always with me “. Just the kind of wet earth needed to sprout a thousand conjectures. Senior Journalist Tamizha Tamizha Pandian in his no punches spared interview said, “After Karunanidhi, Stalin, Kanimozhi and then Udhayanidhi are in the succession line. But Stalin chose to elevate his son, missing the next in line Kanimozhi”.  Note, the deputy CM tag was conferred, but no change in portfolio –he still is Sports Minister. Kanimozhi won’t rock the palace intrigues boat, now says Pandian and adds that it may perhaps happen when Udhayanidhi steps into his father’s shoes. At that point, Kani may stake her claim… the party could split with the old guard supporting her.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin finally managed to elevate his son Udhayanidhi as deputy CM. This much anticipated elevation which was planned twice before was executed without any hitch over the weekend. Father Stalin had worked on it by smoothening out ties with the Centre and PM Modi. Ever since the Centre brought out a commemorative coin to mark 100 years of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi in July, it has been easy for the regional party to reach out to Delhi. Besides, there wasn’t much resistance to the idea of giving a leg up to Udhayanidhi after the Lok Sabha results from party seniors within. In fact most of the seniors could be seen congratulating Udhayanidhi, a first term MLA. He contested the 2021 assembly elections for the first time from Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency and was made a state Minister. Congress sources said an early elevation of Udhayanidhi was an indication that Stalin was not in the best of health. That is perhaps why everyone in the DMK had fallen in line. It was evident in the DMK social media timeline as it was crammed with greetings from Tamil film star netas like Kamal Haasan as well as superstars like Rajnikant, Dhanush and producers from Bollywood like Boney Kappor. Only TN BJP chief K Annamalai managed to take potshots. Underscoring the nepotism behind son’s rise in a post, Annamalai said “the sun shines for the privileged few and eclipses for the rest of the state for the last 40 months. People have now understood what the term “Vidiyal” (awakening) actually meant: Vidiyal for self, family, and the chieftains.”

In an indication of “sweetening” of ties between the DMK and the BJP, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin flagged his meeting with PM Modi as “cordial” as he raised all outstanding issues of his state with the Centre such as requesting release of the Centre’s share for Phase 2 of the jointly implemented Chennai Metro, noting that several states which initiated their metro projects after TN have already received their funds. With traditional ally Congress exploring ties with AIADMK and other alternatives, it looks like the DMK also seems to be looking for a fall back option. Stalin’s reachout comes a fortnight after FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s tough talk that the Phase II of Chennai Metro Rail was a state project and ought to be funded by the state, with the Centre chipping in with only 10% of the total cost. Of the total cost of Rs 63,246 crore, TN is expected to invest Rs 22,228 crore while the Centre Rs 7,425 crore. An additional Rs 33,593 crore was obtained through various multilateral agencies. “However, only 27% of the loan, equaling to Rs 5,880 crore, has been utilised by the state. As per the FRBM rules, up to 3% GSDP can be borrowed (by the state), and since this project is categorised as a state sector project, the loan should fall within the FRBM limit,” she said.TN cannot blame Centre over funds. Phase 1 of the Metro Rail project, which started in 2015, covered 54 km and was initiated as a central sector scheme, with 60% of the cost being covered by external loans. Stalin also urged for immediate release of Samagra Shiksha funds, currently withheld due to the non-implementation of the NEP. Interestingly, Stalin also met with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi.

Former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji’s release on bail from a money laundering case after 471 days in jail opens the gates for a major shakeup in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet. DMK supremo and chief minister MK Stalin was waiting eagerly for the master operator Senthil Balaji’s release so that he could give shape to his Cabinet before the DMK goes on to face the 2026 assembly polls. The CM may use the opportunity not only to elevate his son Udhayanidhi to the post of deputy Chief Minister while anointing him clearly as his designated political heir but also cut out some seniors from ministership. It appears even the senior most minister Duraimurugan, considered No 2 in the cabinet for long, may not survive the reshuffle, as he showed his displeasure openly at the elevation of Udhay as deputy CM. Senthil Balaji will be put in charge of a major ministry. A few other seniors may also be shown the door for non-performance along with the DMK senior who was handling the key portfolio of Water Resources and was tasked with following up on the Cauvery River water issue. The Dravidian stalwart Senthil who was a key figure even in AIADMK ministries made the switch at the correct time after J Jayalalithaa’s demise on sensing which way the wind was blowing. Having waited so long for a more appropriate time to press for changes, CM Stalin may wield the broom very soon.

Recently, DMK Chief and Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin was nettled by the strong announcement by its enduring ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s (VCK) supremo Thol Thirumavalavan hinting at sharing in power. Upbeat about the planned Women’s meet where 35,000 women voters would attend and endorse the need for prohibition in TN, Thirumavalavan could sense Stalin’s discomfort and the need for fire-fighting. Hardly had this threat perception cooled down, then Stalin faced sabre-rattling from VCK’s defiant deputy secretary Aadav Arjun plain speaking about dynasty power. Said Aaadav Arjun, “In just 4 years of transition  from cinema to politics, a person is ready  to don the deputy CM ‘s mantle, our leader who has 40 years of political experience is more than ready for even the CM post, let alone deputy CM”. This was clearly aimed at Udhayanidhi Stalin, all set to be deputy CM. A quick rebuttal was given by A Raja, DMK MP and family strongman who said that “Looks like some new entrants to VCK are unaware of the ideological ties between us and VCK. Alliances are not mere number games…they endure due to mutual respect and speaking the same language.” A veiled threat was issued. Arjun should retract, and apologise or we may have to rethink about our alliance”. Sources say that VCK is ready to slaughter the lamb in order to keep the status quo. Talk is rife that these fires could well be planned and ignited by a major party….break and make new alliances in the run up 2026.

The timing must be worrying. After all, chief minister MK Stalin is working hard to convince global companies to set up shops in Tamil Nadu. During his recent visit to the U.S., Stalin set the stage for the return of Ford to Chennai. The Ford plant near Chennai remains closed ever since the American company re-jigged its global operations a few years ago. Deep south in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), the copper smelter plant of Sterlite moved into the pages of history after the Supreme Court ordered it shut. Read against these backdrops, Stalin has been going the extra mile to woo global investment into the State. Coming as it does at this juncture, the industrial strife at Samsung Electronics situated in the Sriperumbudur corridor along the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway is causing considerable anxiety in the power corridors at St George Fort. The workers of Samsung Electronic have been on strike since September 9, seeking recognition of their new union besides listing out several demands. In the post-liberalization era, the collective bargaining power of the unions is either conspicuous by its absence or compromised consistently. Not surprisingly, the power of the unions has considerably marginalised. So much so, Infosys’s founder Narayana Murthy could even articulate a 70-hour work week to boost India’s economy. The labour impasse at Samsung has two sides to it. Surely, it could have a negative repercussion on State’s effort to entice global investment. Yet, it also gives a clue or two to the increasing stress in industrial relationships due to rapid industrialisation sans human touch. 

Generally speaking in Tamil Nadu the alliance partners whether of the DMK or AIADMK get itchy and periodically restless then threaten to walk out. So it was not surprising to see Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s (VCK) supremo Thol Thirumavalavan make his stunning move when chief minister MK Stalin was away to the U.S. for a month. Thiruma announced plans to hold the mother of all public meetings on Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2) to hammer home the need for prohibition in TN (where state sells liquor  to the thirsty populace)  and highlight the fast spreading drug menace. Holding a mega meet of over 35, 000 women against liquor, on 8 acres of his venue, bringing women voters from 134 wards to Kallakuruchi. Thiruma cannily invited the AIADMK to join the mammoth meet and share a common platform. But his other demand, more share in power and governance is what shook the ruling DMK, shocking Stalin and his stalwarts Duraimurugan, KN Nehru, AV Velu and Ponmudi. Sure enough Stalin was rattled sufficiently to call Thiruma for an immediate meeting at DMK Anna Arivalayam. Thirumavalavan poured out a litany of woes…his party did not get respect when the party flags had to be put up whereas PMK and even newbie Vijay’s TVK were getting better treatment from the Police. It is not clear which hit Stalin most…Jet lag or Thiruma’s tirade. Muscle flexing seems to be the best optic for alliance partners.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said he would be seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personally request him to release funds meant for the second phase of the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) project as well as the funds due to the State under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) relating to school education. Both funds have been blocked by the Centre. His finance minister Thangam Thennarasu has already issued a statement hitting out at the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for saying that the ongoing CMRL second phase for Chennai was a State sector project. He had pointed out that the project envisaged in 2017 was a central sector project in which the Union government’s share had worked out to Rs 7,425 crore. He also refuted a statement by Ms Sitharaman that the state had spent only Rs 5,880 crore on the 119-km phase II whereas the state had already expended more than Rs 18,000 crore so far. The step motherly treatment being meted out to Tamil Nadu, considered the last bastion against the ruling BJP is borne out by the fact that funds allocated for Metro Rail schemes in cities like Bengaluru (Rs 30,399 crore), Kochi (Rs 1,957 crore), Nagpur (Rs 6,708 crore), Pune (Rs 910 crore) and Thane (Rs 12,200 crore), are all from the Centre’s kitty while not even what was promised for Chennai Metro expansion has been delivered.

Even as Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin signed off his U.S. sojourn with a “goodbye USA” post, there is still a lot of speculation about the real purpose behind his nearly month-long tour across America. Though the official reason being given is that he had gone there to talk up foreign investment for the state, but both his critics and well-wishers are not convinced that the kind of business meetings that Stalin had lined up with CEOs reveal foreign investment had driven the DMK leader to camp in the U.S. Sources close to Stalin say the real purpose of the CM staying away from Chennai was that he was advised by astrologers, consulted by wife Durga, that the CM must stay away from his home, preferably travel  across seven seas for the sake of his well-being and future of his politics.  That is why in view of the inauspicious times, he also put off elevating son Udhayanidhi as Deputy CM  as  he was not sure of its impact on senior DMK leaders  His critics have been panning his U.S. trip in social media as a waste of public money.

In the backdrop of the Modi government releasing a Rs 100 coin to mark birth centenary of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on August 18 and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailing him as “titan” of Indian politics, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has always been anxious to assure his allies in the secular INDIA Bloc that he is not inching close to the BJP. Away in the U.S. since the end of last month along with his wife Durga to pitch for foreign investment in his state, Stalin has been making it a point to enjoy ordinary things like working out at a gym in San Francisco or a bike ride near Lake Michigan in Chicago. His post on X, “Evening’s calm sets the stage for new dreams”, somehow caught the attention of Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi who replied to Stalin’s post with a playful comment, “Brother, when are we cycling together in Chennai?”. Responding to Gandhi, Stalin proposed a leisurely ride to explore the heart of Chennai. “Dear brother @Rahul Gandhi, whenever you’re free, let’s ride and explore the heart of Chennai together!  A box of sweets is still pending from my side. After our cycling, let’s enjoy a delicious South Indian lunch with sweets at my home.” Incidentally, Rahul will also be briefly in the U.S. — September 8-10 — to interact with the Indian diaspora as well as key business and academic figures. This will be his first visit to the U.S. since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, after the Congress made significant gains. His visit precedes PM Modi’s planned appearance at the UN General Assembly later in the month. Gandhi will visit Dallas and Washington DC during his time in the U.S.

A weighty book release turned into a stunned arena when Superstar Rajinikanth took the mic to speak and set out a big cat among the pigeons. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin presided over the book launch Kalaignar Enum Thai penned by his minister E Ve Velu. Rajini was at his punching best. He lauded that CM Stalin had inherited much from his founder father and learnt even more through osmosis. Winning elections was the proof. But Stalin is like a school teacher. He is comfortable with the new crop of youngsters. But 10 or 15 old students are making it hard for Stalin to go ahead with his strategies…mind you these are not “failed” students but entrenched power holders who are working for themselves. Especially an old warrior, Duraimurugan who could take on Kalaignar himself. Pat came Duraimurugan’s reply, “Like old actors with falling teeth and scrawny beards want to keep on acting. Not allowing younger talent to rise”. This old boys club proved to be the roadblock for Stalin to decide on a succession plan…anoint his son Udhayanidhi as deputy CM. Rajini shattered the perception that Udhayanidhi’s ascension was delayed by Stalin.  The obvious inference, on the contrary, the son wants a clear field …an Augean stable pitted with roadblocks and challengers, urgently in need of clearing up. The applause from the cadres was as resounding as Stalin’s response. “Yes, I am aware of all this. I am vigilant and shall act, soon”. TN is now flummoxed….is Rajini, the Sutradar unfolding the play or is Stalin playing puppeteer? Rajini has flung a pebble in the DMK waters…how far will these ripples spread? 

Chief Minister MK Stalin was bemused when the media accosted him about news of a possible cabinet reshuffle on the day that actor Vijay was unfurling the flag of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The rumour may have been floated by someone in the bureaucracy to draw media attention away from the much-anticipated Vijay entry into politics, which is worrying the established parties because he is capable of commanding a 15% share of the votes straightaway, which would be mostly that of the youth. But the TN cabinet is so fixated on their former minister in jail, Senthil Balaji, being free once again to resume duties that a cabinet reshuffle has been put off until then. He had been a minister without portfolio while in jail for a while before he resigned. There were indications that the politician, a known handler of ‘funds,’ who was with the AIADMK when it was in power before successfully changing loyalties to the ruling DMK, would be released soon from jail as the PMLA case against him has made no headway. They value his silence under heavy interrogation so much that they can’t wait to see him back. The CM will be leaving this week for the USA for inviting investments as well as a health master check while naming only who will be in charge when he is away. It would be interesting to see whether that would be the senior most minister Duraimurugan or his son Udhayanidhi Stalin.

There was a refreshing change in Tamil Nadu politics involving Governor RN Ravi as chief minister MK Stalin called on him before his Independence Day ‘At Home” tea party. They met, exchanged pleasantries and interacted for a clear 10 minutes. The insider news is that the DMK feels it will need the Governor’s clearance for a few things including the continuation of Senthil Balaji as a minister in the Cabinet as soon as he is released on bail, which the top court seems likely to do soon. The ruling DMK, which will be shifting focus to the upcoming Assembly polls of 2026, would like to have a smoother working relationship with Raj Bhavan. Having announced a boycott of the Governor’s tea party in joining other DMK+ allies Congress, VCK and MDMK, the DMK backtracked when the CM made his intentions clear that he wanted to smoothen out ties. Also, since he is going to be away in the U.S. where he is headed not only to attract investments but also go through a full medical checkup and physiotherapy, he would not like to see a confrontation taking place between his ministry and the Governor in his absence. Of course, it remains a matter of speculation if he would make his son Udhayanidhi Deputy CM before he leaves or waits for the more auspicious Tamil month of Thai (from January 14, 2025) which his wife might be recommending.

The DMK, it must be acknowledged, has mastered the art of winning voters and influencing segments. Here, TASMAC, a company owned by the Tamil Nadu government, has a monopoly over wholesale and retail vending of alcoholic beverages. And TASMAC keeps the men coming unfailingly to quench their spiritual thirst, simultaneously filling up government coffers. TASMAC revenues keep zooming up every year, an abiding testimony to happy TN men. But the women are an unhappy lot as men save their income for slaking their thirst. And drunken behaviour had its social fallout in ill-treatment of women. But MGR cannily aimed his AIADMK welfare programmes at women, and Jayalalithaa too did likewise. AIADMK now headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) took this women’s loyalty for granted. Not anymore. After humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha EPS has been doing intense stock taking of defeat and strategic run up to 2026 Assembly election. Intense powwow with his core group has thrown up some clues as to why Camelot was lost.  Meanwhile, TN chief minister MK Stalin aims to make women in his state happy, and turn them into devoted vote banks. On 15th of every month Rs 1000 is credited to the homemaker’s account by the TN government. After women, the government is focussing on youth and putting a stop to cash handouts. DMK’s Tamil Nadu Manavar (Student) Thittam Scheme has in one fell blow, the practice of cash out handouts during election time. DMK feels regular open payments from the exchequer is the best incentive for vote bank loyalty. Looks like Stalin and his party came up with creative solutions that have put EPS on the backfoot.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin is to go to the U.S. on an official trip to attract investments to the state. Also, he will undergo medical tests and health evaluation when he is there. As the CM wishes to hoist the flag on Independence Day at Fort St George, his departure has been planned for around August 18 or later. But before then he must take a decision on the appointment of a deputy CM who will preside over cabinet meetings in his absence that could stretch to a couple of weeks if any therapy is needed in the U.S. The party has left it to him to nominate a deputy CM or a senior minister to preside over the cabinet. But it is on the cards that the CM will name his son Udhayanidhi as the Deputy CM, a decision that could have been taken much earlier but was postponed due to a few murmurings among party seniors and loyalists. Now that there is a need to name someone, Stalin may take the opportunity to make his son his deputy and open a path for him to be his political heir to head the party. Stalin has been under more pressure from within his family to take the call to make Udhayanidhi the Deputy CM than from his party.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee certainly surprised the Congress by attending the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting chaired by PM Modi on July 27. The Congress was so caught off guard by Mamata’s decision that the party could not even formally announce a boycott of its three CMs. Of course Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin who eagerly follows Congress line and Kerala CM Pinarayi Viayan had taken a similar stand. Mamata seized the NITI platform to launch herself as leader of the Opposition block. She was at the NITI Aayog meeting only to be a drama queen. She stormed out of the meeting saying she was barely allowed to speak.  As per PIB Factcheck Mamata would have got a chance to speak only after lunch. It was also pointed out that Mamata as she spoke the clock showed “her speaking time was over. Even then the bell was not rung to mark it.   “…I have come out boycotting the meeting. Chandrababu Naidu was given 20 minutes to speak, CMs of Assam, Goa, Chhattisgarh spoke for 10-12 minutes.. This is unfair…I said you (central government) should not discriminate against state governments. I wanted to speak but my mic was muted. I was allowed to speak only for five minutes. I was the voice of the Opposition,” said Didi. Meanwhile, FM Nirmala Sitharaman slammed a non-present Congress leader Jairam Ramesh for charging NITI Aayog of muzzling dissenting voices like Mamata, saying she was happy that Mamata attended and was happier, when the CM said she was speaking for “Bengal and in fact for the entire opposition.” Mamata’s bold move to attend the NITI Aayog struck a chord with a section of Congress. “Our CMs should have also done it. It makes more sense to air our views than boycott,” said a Congress leader from TN. Sources say Didi was advised by her nephew Abhishek to attend the meeting and raise the Opposition voice. Mamata too has decided to lead the Opposition, steering it away from Gandhis.

Governor RN Ravi may not be everyone’s favourite former intelligence officer, but he has made a name for himself with the BJP top brass for holding the best nuisance value in an Opposition-ruled state. Now Ravi is desperately seeking an extension as his 5-year term is running out. His contention is that he served two years in Nagaland and came to Tamil Nadu capital Chennai only three years ago and so expects to stay on for two more years.  He has been shuttling to New Delhi often to meet Home Minister Amit Shah who alone can recommend the extension he seeks, besides calling on PM Modi. The former CBI and IB officer’s stay in the Raj Bhavan in Guindy has been sensational, to say the least. He has picked every possible hole in all that the DMK government does and has put a spoke in the wheel of every piece of legislation passed in the Assembly. Only under the prompting of the Supreme Court has he changed a bit to be accommodative in the sense he has been recently clearing routine bills that are non-controversial.  The moment he sees a red flag, as in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors that comes under the Governor’s jurisdiction, he would immediately take on the government. He has been the DMK government’s most acerbic critic and two more years of him may not be to chief minister MK Stalin’s liking. But being in the INDIA bloc, he knows the ruling BJP might like to keep their voice in the state for longer. 

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin is basking in the success of his party candidate in the bypoll in Vikravandi, which came despite the government facing the heat in the aftermath of hooch deaths near the constituency. He knew it was important to get this endorsement of Dravidian rule because the ruling DMK was up against the candidate from the PMK that was part of BJP+ and testing the waters in a virtual straight contest in the absence of AIADMK. From the voting counts of 2021 and 2024 it was clear that the AIADMK cadre chose to vote for DMK rather than PMK, which vote would have been taken as one for the BJP that has been desperately seeking a break in the state. While the PMK got 32,198 votes in the Vikravandi segment in the Lok Sabha polls this year, its candidate got 56,026 votes in the assembly bypoll. While that could be taken as an indicator of the current mood and the dynamics of a straight contest, DMK’s Anniyur Siva got 1.25 lakh votes, a big swing from when the DMK won the seat only by a margin of 9,500 in 2021. AIADMK voters have chosen to go against its former ally BJP, now a bitter rival in 3-way poll politics in Tamil Nadu. The anticipated big breakthrough for BJP in the south, specifically Tamil Nadu, may take a lot more time to come.

It’s a peculiar position to be in. It is a resounding win, no doubt.  How to convert this into a gainful one for Tamil Nadu?  Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin must be pondering over this. The relationship between the DMK government and the BJP isn’t cordial to say the least. The big electoral victory of the DMK-led alliance in the recently-concluded Parliamentary elections is surely a big booster to the Stalin-led DMK. Yet, New Delhi has to be onboard to make Tamil Nadu a trillion dollar economy. Coming as it did against this backdrop, the elevation of Kanimozhi as the leader of the Parliamentary party of DMK appears to be an interesting strategic move by the Stalin party. For one, it sort of signals the transition – rather arrival – of GenNext in the party. For another, it is also speculated as a strategic initiative to build a long-term bridge with the political establishments across the canvass in New Delhi. She seems to have a good equation with Amit Shah. Also, Stalin has to be watchful of TDP’s Chandra Babu Naidu who is a pro-reformist. This time around, he is not so much angling for party representation in the Centre but financial packages and investments to his state. This is where Stalin must be missing the experienced senior Maran (Murasoli Maran), who played a perfect bridge between the party and the rulers in New Delhi. For Stalin who has won single-handedly elections for the government it is almost like running with the hare and hunting with hounds.

Finally, the Tamil Nadu chief minister taking a leaf out of his father’s strategy decided to appoint his half-sister Kanimozhi, who was elected from the Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency, as the DMK’s parliamentary leader. She replaced the Sriperumbudur MP T R Baalu. For now she is happy. It may be known TR Baalu has been running this post for decades and was expecting another go. Even his son, finance minister TRB Rajaa in Stalin’s government, was keen to move to Delhi.  Meanwhile Stalin’s wife Durga has made it clear that son Udhayanidhi should be anointed Deputy CM and so that he can prove his mettle in controlling the party and the government in the run up to 2026 assembly elections. Strangely enough Kalaignar Karunanidhi faced the same family mutiny when the UPA was in power. His sons Alagiri and Stalin were at loggerheads over who would head the party and move into Kalaignar’s chair. Wily politician/ tactician that he was, he got Alagiri into the central cabinet of the UPA in 2009 as Minister for Chemicals & Fertilisers, and eased Stalin’s claim to the TN Gaddi.  For now Stalin has bought peace on both fronts. Now for the anointment of his son as deputy CM post.

The sigh of relief in the DMK may have been loud enough as the results in the Lok Sabha polls restored the national balance somewhat.  When opposing the BJP tooth and nail in the state and broadcasting their aversion to the party nationally in cutting speeches by CM Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi, the DMK understood that a BJP back in power and in full control of Parliament may have tried to play tricks. The unspoken fears were about the Centre beginning to needle the top brass of the party by using the federal investigating agencies further after their efforts to break Senthil Balaji as a key money maker and funds mover in both Dravidian parties (he was earlier with AIADMK) have not succeeded. DMK’s strategy to counter the BJP where it hurt was to ensure that the state chief K Annamalai was beaten. It can be revealed that the ruling party was unusually generous with purse strings to bring about a favourable result in Coimbatore. Had Annamalai succeeded he would have stood a good chance of being drafted into the Union ministry where, with a post in the Finance Ministry, he could have aimed for settling scores with the DMK brass. Of course, the mood may have altered slightly after the results, and it is unlikely that the top leaders will become subjects of interest to financial investigations any time soon.