Manickam

Suriyanur. A. Chandran of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) won the Kulithalai constituency with a margin of 579 votes. He garnered 68138 votes, while Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate G. Balasubramani came second with 67559 votes.

Sholavandan, a rural SC constituency in Madurai, has seen fluctuating electoral fortunes. The DMK secured victory in 2021, reversing the AIADMK's win in 2016. This upcoming Tamil Nadu election features a fierce contest between the ruling DMK and the AIADMK-led opposition, with key issues like welfare, law and order, and identity politics dominating the campaign narrative.

In a strategic move, Congress has extended a conditional olive branch to C Joseph Vijay's TVK party, which is just 10 seats shy of securing the reins of power in Tamil Nadu. This support is contingent upon TVK distancing itself from communal forces within the NDA.

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj became emotional at the '29' pre-release event, recalling his past struggles with director Rathna Kumar, where they roamed streets seeking opportunities. He credited Karthik Subbaraj's 'Pizza' for opening doors for many, including himself and Rathna. Kanagaraj emphasized Kamal Haasan's influence on his philosophy of giving back to cinema.

Days before Tamil Nadu election results, AICC's Girish Chodankar declared Congress will no longer be a neutral player, demanding a role in government or opposition for party growth. This follows DMK rejecting power-sharing demands during seat talks, causing internal discontent. Chodankar expressed confidence in the DMK-led alliance forming the government, while DMK reiterated power sharing is off the table.

Actor Vijay's TVK party is making a strong debut in Madurai's assembly elections. The party is leading in several key constituencies, including Madurai East and Madurai Central. Established parties DMK and AIADMK face unexpected challenges. TVK candidates are ahead of sitting ministers and incumbent MLAs. This election marks a significant shift in Madurai's political landscape.

Cracks have emerged within the INDIA bloc following the Tamil Nadu election results, with the DMK accusing its ally, the Congress, of "backstabbing" for supporting actor-politician Vijay's TVK party. The DMK criticized the Congress' decision as "foolhardy" and driven by ego, questioning its trustworthiness and potential impact on other alliance partners.

Following the defeat of the Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha, Congress MP manickam Tagore challenged PM Modi and Amit Shah to give up their seats for women candidates if 33% reservation is implemented across existing constituencies.

Rathna Kumar's upcoming film, '29 The Film,' starring Vidhu and Preethi Asrani, is set for a May 8 release. The movie explores the life of a 29-year-old, promising a relatable, youthful narrative with strong technical backing and music by Sean Roldan. An announcement video featuring Lokesh Kanagaraj has generated significant buzz.

A glimpse of the song 'Poo Paadal' from Rathna Kumar's '29' has captivated audiences, earning praise from filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj for its heartwarming visuals and romantic beach scene. Sean Roldan's classical-infused music, sung by Ravi G, adds to the anticipation for the film, which is currently in post-production.

Virudhunagar's assembly election hinges on DMDK scion Vijaya Prabhakaran's bid to inherit his father's legacy. Contesting with DMK support, he aims to leverage Vijayakant's popularity and caste arithmetic against AIADMK's consolidated alliance. The outcome will reveal if the son can succeed and if DMDK can revive its fortunes.

Congress MP manickam Tagore criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her "irresponsible allegations" hinting at collusion between the BJP and INDIA bloc allies. Tagore stressed the need for opposition unity against the BJP, reminding the TMC of its past alliance with the BJP and highlighting Rahul Gandhi's fight against the saffron party.

Four Tamil Nadu constituencies, Vedasandur, Sriperumbudur, Sholavandan, and Ramanathapuram, have consistently elected candidates from the winning alliance. This year, major parties are fielding incumbent MLAs or past winners in these bellwether seats, setting up direct rematches. This strategic approach aims to leverage historical voting patterns for electoral success.

Madurai's political landscape is poised for a shift in the upcoming assembly elections, with no clear frontrunners. While DMK highlights development projects, a property tax scam has created challenges. AIADMK capitalizes on these issues, criticizing governance and basic amenities. The entry of new political forces and internal alliance dynamics add to the unpredictability of this crucial electoral battle.

Congress MPs, whose suspension was revoked, asserted their dignified protest aimed at securing the right for LoP Rahul Gandhi and other opposition members to speak in Parliament. They highlighted perceived discrimination and biased decisions by the Speaker, arguing for equal application of parliamentary traditions and rules for all MPs.

Party’s poll results in Kerala and Assam will decide its place in opposition – is it first among equals, or not? Until that wrangle is settled, opposition INDIA bloc will remain listless