Tamil Nadu election: Campaigning ends as parties make final outreach to voters; polling on Thursday

NEW DELHI: Campaigning for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections concluded on Tuesday, two days ahead of the single-phase polling in the state.Making one final push to urge voters to give his party a second straight term, chief minister and DMK supremo MK Stalin issued a video message highlighting his government's achievements in its first five-year tenure.“When people call me more dangerous than my father, I see it as a reminder that I am a threat to those who wish to betray Tamil Nadu or obstruct its development,” he said.Dismissing allegations that the DMK is “anti-Hindu,” Stalin accused the BJP of spreading "false narratives" for political gains.The DMK chief asserted that the party has consistently stood with minority communities and would continue to do so.Highlighting his government’s performance, he stated that temple properties worth over Rs 7,000 crore had been retrieved and that thousands of temples had been renovated under the DMK regime.He added that the “Dravidian model” of governance has delivered substantial welfare benefits and development outcomes.Meanwhile, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagan (TVK) chief Vijay also made a final appeal to voters. In a long post on his party’s social media account, he urged voters to come out dressed in festive attire and press the button for TVK’s whistle symbol on the EVM.Vijay, who launched TVK in February 2024, is contesting from Trichy East and Perambur in what will be his political debut. Stalin, on the other hand, is the DMK candidate from Kolathur.Thursday’s election will be a direct contest between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA, of which AIADMK is the largest constituent in the state.Over 4,000 candidates are in the fray across the 234 assembly constituencies.Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.