The bench comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan said this when former Perundurai MLA S Jayakumar's counsel informed the court that the election petition challenging his victory had already been dismissed and sought vacation of the stay on the proposed bye-election.

K Venkatachalapathy from Tirunelveli had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the High Court seeking to restrain the Election Commission of India from notifying and conducting bypolls in Tiruchy (East), Perundurai, Viralimalai, Karur, and Ambasamudram Assembly constituencies.

The petitioner contended that conducting bye-elections before the disposal of the pending election petitions would render the proceedings infructuous, defeat the statutory rights of the election petitioners under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and frustrate the purpose of adjudicating election disputes.

After hearing the parties, the bench had observed on July 10 that until an election petition is decided, the Election Commission's obligation to conduct a bye-election remains suspended.

The court held that conducting premature bye-elections would burden the public exchequer and could lead to a constitutional anomaly by resulting in two validly elected representatives for the same constituency. The bench, therefore, restrained the Election Commission from issuing notifications for bye-elections in these five constituencies.

When the PIL was again listed before the bench, the senior counsel appearing for Jayakumar submitted that the election petition challenging his victory had already been dismissed and added that the stay on the bye-election should therefore be vacated.

After hearing the submissions, the judges said they would wait for a copy of the order passed by Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy on Tuesday before deciding whether to lift the stay on announcing the bye-election in the constituency. The bench then extended the interim stay on announcing the bypoll and said the final hearing of the case would be held on September 28.

Talking to reporters at the Secretariat on the concluding day of the Assembly’s Budget session, Palaniswami accused the government and the principal Opposition DMK of repeatedly trading charges and wasting valuable House time instead of discussing people’s issues.

He said the Assembly might function for 10 hours a day, but only about three hours were devoted to public issues. He also alleged that ministers failed to provide department-specific replies, with only about three ministers answering most questions.

“If ministers concerned answer questions relating to their departments, only then can solutions be found,” he said.

Palaniswami said questions raised during the police demands for grants, including those concerning an alleged online investment fraud in which he claimed about Rs 1,000 crore had been lost, promotions and pay for police personnel and fraudulent chit schemes, had not received proper replies.

Calling the TVK government an ineffective government, he criticised it over law and order, corruption, inflation and farmers’ problems. He alleged that murders, robberies, thefts and sexual-harassment incidents had increased and said preventing crime was the government’s responsibility.

The former CM alleged that paddy procured from farmers in the Cauvery delta had been left in the open and damaged by rain, particularly in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai. He also demanded adequate water from the Mettur reservoir for samba cultivation, saying 40-45 days of supply would be insufficient for the crop’s 120-day cycle.

Palaniswami questioned the need to shift the Chief Minister’s office, saying successive Chief Ministers had used the same room since C N Annadurai. He described the government as a reels government and accused it of relying on borrowing to fund new schemes.

He said new parties joining the AIADMK-led front would be welcomed. Asked whether the DMK would be accepted, he smiled and replied: “Will the DMK come?”

He said many students and children had visited the Assembly, and that several people with hearing impairments had also watched the proceedings.

Some had been able to follow them when sign-language interpretation was provided on television channels.

He urged the Speaker to arrange a sign-language window on the screen during the next session, including while the Chief Minister was speaking.

Meanwhile, CPM member T Latha said the Assembly should meet for 100 days a year to provide members greater opportunity to raise issues concerning the people.

She welcomed the live telecast of the proceedings and urged the government to ease the difficulties faced by members of the public who visit the Secretariat to submit petitions.

Replying to her, Rajmohan said people could submit petitions whenever they wished, and the police would not prevent them. "The doors of the government are always open," he said.

If large numbers of people arrived at the same time, limited space could lead to congestion and pushing, he said, adding that the issue would be addressed in the future.

Rajmohan said the proceedings had been telecast live from the first day to the last day of the session for the first time in the Assembly's history. He said the Speaker deserved the title "Live Telecast Hero".

Referring to his expression in the State Assembly on September 7, when he targeted the main opposition DMK over alleged corruption based on official ED documents and the Sarkaria Commission report of the 1970s, Vijay in a statement said: "My body langauge was an involuntary expression. I would like to make it known that it was not in any way intentional."

Further, he said: "Therefore, I kindly request that it should not be interpreted as an act intended to hurt anyone's feelings on a personal level."

Vijay's posture of holding his jaw -- with one hand -- as if to lift it one way became the point of discussion on social media.

Some claimed that the chief minister was mocking DMK president MK Stalin as it was he who had suffered a jaw fracture during his incarceration during the infamous Emergency (1975-77).

However, whether or not the DMK chief suffered such an injury during his imprisonment is not known.

Against this background, Vijay clarified that his expression was out-and-out unintentional.

“This case stands as a classic textbook illustration of how draconian statutory provisions can be weaponised, holding an innocent person beneath the suspended sword of a death sentence,” observed a Division Bench of Justices N Anand Venkatesh and KK Ramakrishnan.

The Bench set aside the conviction and death sentence imposed by the Principal Sessions Court (Pocso Act Cases), Sivaganga, on April 20, 2026, and directed that Chandran be released forthwith unless his custody was required in any other case.

“The Pocso Act is intentionally stringent, designed as a shield to protect children from exploitation. Yet, it is deeply painful to witness instances where vulnerable children are used as pawns by adults to settle private scores, rendering the child a victim twice over,” the judges observed.

The High Court found material contradictions in the prosecution witnesses' accounts, particularly regarding how the children had assembled at the accused's house. It also questioned the absence of any natural reaction from neighbours at the alleged place of occurrence.

The court further noted the unexplained delay in lodging the complaint and the failure to recover the mobile phone allegedly used by the children before the incident. It held that the absence of this objective evidence added to the reasonable doubt.

The Bench also held that the trial court had erred in convicting Chandran under Section 4 of the Pocso Act when no specific charge had been framed under that provision.

The government in the Assembly, during the debate on demands for grants for the Public Department, also announced a package of measures covering welfare assistance for Sri Lankan Tamils, overseas employment and ex-servicemen.

An AI chatbot and Interactive Voicebot will be introduced on the Mudhalvarin Mugavari—CM Helpline portal to help citizens register petitions, check their status, and learn about the action taken, particularly benefiting senior citizens and those facing difficulties with web portals. Rs 2.18 crore will be allocated annually.

Digital kiosks will be installed at all 38 district Collectorates and the Chief Minister's Special Cell in the Secretariat to facilitate access to helpline services. Rs 30 lakh has been earmarked.

Monthly assistance for Sri Lankan Tamils in camps will rise from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 for family heads, Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 for those aged 12 and above, and Rs 500 to Rs 600 for younger children, entailing an additional annual outlay of Rs 14.95 crore. Education assistance will rise from Rs 42,000 to Rs 48,000 per student, at an annual cost of Rs 2.72 crore.

A 'Vettri Thamizhar Award', carrying Rs 10 lakh, will honour overseas Tamils providing legal, medical, passport and other public assistance.

An AI-based Instant Global Match (IGM) platform will connect Tamil Nadu youth with verified overseas jobs based on qualifications, skills, experience and language proficiency, with Rs 50 lakh allocated in the first year. Free German training from A1 to B2 will be provided to eligible jobseekers.

Assistance to poor ex-servicemen and widows will rise from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000, benefiting 250 veterans and 600 widows, at an additional annual cost of Rs 2.04 crore. A Rs 38-lakh web application will cover attendance, transfers, e-signatures, and office procedures for 8,887 personnel of the Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen's Corporation.

Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for the Finance, Planning, Development, Pension and Other Retirement Benefits departments in the Assembly, Marie Wilson spoke about the ups and downs he had faced in life and recalled that he had once even considered bequeathing his property to the church.

He appealed to young people to remove thoughts of suicide from their minds. "There have been leaders such as Kalaignar, MGR and Jayalalithaa. No leader has committed suicide. Similarly, there should be no place for suicidal thoughts in our minds," he said.

Wilson said he had been undertaking a 27-year-long pilgrimage on foot to the Velankanni shrine and that he had never received a reception comparable to the one he received this year.

He also flagged the poor water quality in Devanur village near Tharangambadi in Mayiladuthurai district and urged the Rural Development and Water Resources Minister, N Anand, to take immediate steps to rectify the problem.

Meanwhile, he claimed that he hailed from a family that has been deeply involved in politics. "The right person should be in the right place. In that sense, Tamil Nadu has got CM Joseph Vijay," he said, hailing the TVK chief.

The decision will be implemented through an amendment to the TNPSC Act. The Bill was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday by Minister for Human Resources Management D Sarathkumar, on behalf of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who holds the municipal administration portfolio. The Bill seeks to ensure a more efficient, professional and transparent recruitment process for appointments in urban local bodies.

"The youth in rural and remote areas of the State can apply for such posts and get recruited in a transparent manner," the minister said as the bill was passed by voice vote.

The jobs scam erupted in the Municipal Administration Department during the DMK regime. The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered an FIR after the High Court directed it to probe allegations involving the Municipal Administration Department, which was headed by KN Nehru during the DMK regime.

It is said that Gopalakrishnan (29), resident from Mela Kattur near Thiruvidaimarudur in Thanjavur inaugurated a biryani stall at Tirupananthal on Monday (September 7) and offered one plus one offer on the inaugural day and so the residents in large number bought biryani with special inaugural offer.

Meanwhile, on Monday late hours, as many as 12 persons including Suseela (60), Mahalakshmi (23), Nithish (16), Bhavadarini (19), Shivani (9), Magizhan (60), Atheesh (10) and Atheen (11) who ate the biryani complained of vomiting and diarrhea and even a few fainted.

Subsequently, they were rushed to Kumbakonam GH where they have been undergoing treatment.

On Tuesday, the Food safety officials Karthi, Balamurugan and Madhan went to the eatery and collected samples of the food and sent them to the lab for analysis.

The officials also conducted an inquiry with the people who fell ill and the eatery owner. The officials also found that the meat was stored a few days back and was used for the biryani.

Subsequently the officials imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 to the owner. Meanwhile Tirupananthal police registered a case and are investigating.

The works largely involved conventional infrastructure without any smart solution or IT component. The finding is part of CAG’s Performance Audit covering 7 sampled cities: Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Salem, Tirunelveli and Tirupur.

Pan-city development was meant to apply smart solutions such as intelligent traffic management, wastewater recycling and smart water meters to existing city-wide infrastructure using technology.

The seven cities had initially proposed 37 projects costing Rs 1,488.59 crore, but 69 projects worth Rs 780.77 crore were eventually executed.

On scrutiny, CAG found only 22 projects costing Rs 209.24 crore actually qualified. The remaining 47 ineligible projects (Rs 571.53 crore) were spread across 5 cities: Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Tirunelveli and Tirupur.

They implemented projects such as Micro Composting Centres, incineration plants, solid-waste vehicles, solar power plants and underground sewerage works which are normally expected from urban local bodies to build.

City-wise, Coimbatore had 7 ineligible projects, including LED street lighting (Rs 73.51 crore), UGSS internal plumbing and tank construction (Rs 26.21 crore), and Micro Compost Centres at 36 locations (Rs 21.22 crore).

Erode had 16 ineligible projects, among them a Rs 145.33 crore water supply distribution system and a STEM park with a digital planetarium. Salem had 16, Tirunelveli two, and Tirupur six.

Meanwhile, several genuinely tech-oriented projects from the original proposals were dropped altogether.

Chennai’s Street Light Monitoring System (Rs 248 crore) and Intelligent Traffic Management System (Rs 100 crore); Coimbatore’s CCTV camera and server network (Rs 80 crore); Erode’s e-Health project (Rs 250 crore); and Tirunelveli’s Intelligent Traffic Management System (Rs 74.90 crore).

The audit also noted deficiencies in SCADA-based water projects in Tirunelveli and Salem. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a technology used to monitor, control, and automate water treatment and distribution.

In Tirunelveli, an unplanned SCADA system estimated at Rs 46.67 crore had an energy meter that had remained non-functional since December 2023, while remote terminal units and control points for collecting and monitoring water-flow data had not been provided.

In Salem, a Rs 74.88 crore SCADA-based 24x7 water-supply project was still incomplete two years after its projected completion date.

According to the audit, data from the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) was compared with scholarship data maintained by the Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare (AD-amp;TW) Department across eight sampled districts. It found that an average of 46 per cent of schools did not avail the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC/ST students during 2019-22.

During 2019-23, the non-coverage of potentially eligible students under the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students ranged between 21 and 52 per cent.

The audit also noted that no special campaigns were launched to identify the poorest households for enrolment under the scheme. Further, adequate steps were not taken by the Department or educational institutions to encourage students who had dropped out to return to school, undermining the objective of the scholarship programme.

Another major concern was the delay in opening the online scholarship portal, which subsequently resulted in delays in the sanction and disbursement of scholarships.

Scrutiny of applications in sampled institutions showed that income and community certificates were missing from 30 per cent of applications. More seriously, scholarships amounting to Rs 1.45 crore were sanctioned and disbursed to 6,861 beneficiaries whose annual parental income exceeded the prescribed ceiling of Rs 2.50 lakh.

The audit further found that Rs 19.59 crore meant for 81,586 beneficiaries was not credited to their bank accounts due to various reasons.

The fishermen, including boat owner Nattar alias Michael Raj, had sailed from Kochi on September 4.

They were taken to Kavaratti Island for questioning.

These fishermen from Thoothukudi district had ventured into the Arabian Sea for fishing in a mechanised boat.

In the eight sampled districts, an average of 39 per cent of schools did not avail the PMS scheme during 2019-22. The non-coverage of potentially eligible students ranged between 20 and 29 per cent during the period. The audit noted that no special efforts or campaigns were undertaken to identify students from the poorest households for enrolment.

The audit also pointed out that the TN government is yet to begin issuing 'Freeship Cards' to eligible students. Adequate measures were not taken by the Department or educational institutions to encourage students who had dropped out to re-join.

Financial management also came under scrutiny. Contrary to existing guidelines, the Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare deposited Rs 55.50 crore by splitting the amount into 35 fixed deposits.

Scrutiny of applications in sampled institutions revealed that income and community certificates were missing in 27 per cent of applications. Further, Rs 41.95 crore was sanctioned and disbursed to 20,509 students whose parental income exceeded the prescribed threshold.

Comparison of scholarship payments between 2021-22 and 2022-23 showed that 30,424 students received excess scholarships amounting to Rs 17.90 crore. Among them, 160 students received the 40 per cent State share twice, resulting in an excess payment of Rs 13.50 lakh.

The audit also detected instances of students receiving dual scholarships, including PMS-SC along with the PMS scholarship for minorities, and PMS-SC along with the first generation graduate tuition fee concession.

It is said that Krishnasamy (23), a final year law student from Veeramancheri near Thanjavur and his brother Bogarsami (19) were proceeding to Ayyampettai by a two wheeler.

When they were nearing the Guruvadi highway, they attempted to overtake a van that was proceeding ahead. However, they did not notice that a private bus was coming from the opposite direction. The bus hit their bike in which Krishnasamy died on the spot while his brother Bogarsami sustained severe injuries.

On receiving information, the Taluk police rushed to the spot, retrieved the body and sent it to the Ayyampettai GH. The injured is undergoing treatment.

A case was registered and investigations are on.

On a tip-off that a huge quantity of drugs is being peddled in the Pattukottai area, Thanjavur SP E Sundaravathanam held surprise raids.

Anti-Narcotic Task Force which rushed to Pattukkottai and conducted vehicle inspection at Soorapallam bypass and found a huge quantity of sedative pills in car.

The force conducted further inquiry, in which the police found that the drugs were being smuggled for selling to the youth in and around Pattukkottai.

Subsequently, the team seized as many as 5,600 pills and the car. The police also arrested two smugglers who were identified as Shoban Harish from Pattukkottai and Mohammed Lukmann from Muthupettai.

The police said that the drug peddlers get their stock through online purchases from a unit in Nagpur, and they target school and college students and sell them.

The police also said that they would continue to prevent the circulation of drugs.

It may be noted that around 7,000 pills were seized in a similar vehicle inspection in Thanjavur on August 30 and September 4.

Making a suo motu statement, Minister Aadhav said that funds were allocated for 80 works without the Assembly's nod. "The financial allocation did not get the approval of the Assembly, which was against the rules. They had taken the amount through the ensuing budget, owing to the fact that they might have thought they would come to power again," Minister Aadhav said.

The minister alleged that this would affect the Assembly's financial authority and dignity and appealed to the Speaker to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee.

He also said it was considered a serious allegation because the Assembly did not approve it.

Replying to him, Speaker JCD Prabhakar said that after considering the matter, he would decide whether it fell within the purview of privilege or whether any other action should be n taken on the issue.

The petition was filed by Sundaravimal Nathan of Swami Malai in Thanjavur district.

He sought inclusion of questions on the number of persons with disabilities in a family, disability identity cards, availability of assistive devices and the need for personal assistance.

The Budget session concluded on Tuesday. According to figures cited by the Speaker, the Assembly received 22,651 visitors in 2021, 20,137 in 2023, 10,754 in 2024 and 20,123 in 2025. The 2026 figure of 32,055 was recorded in just 28 sitting days.

Prabhakar said the growing participation of students was particularly significant.

While an average of about 20 schools had sent students to observe proceedings earlier, students from 76 schools and colleges visited the Assembly during the current session.

"Many students studying in Classes 11 and 12, as well as working people, have taken leave to come and watch the Assembly proceedings. This shows the growing interest among the next generation in participating in public life," he said.

He added that interest among Gen Z in watching Assembly proceedings was increasing by the day.

Prabhakar also lauded the ruling TVK government for what he described as transparency in administration.

"People are lauding the current government because it is functioning transparently and with no hidden agenda. Since this government assumed office, no files have been stalled or kept pending, and every file is moving without delay and transparently. Even the media in North India is praising the government for its transparency," he added.

Even as the AIADMK asked members interested in contesting the by-elections to collect the application forms from the party headquarters from Tuesday until September 10, Palaniswami accused the government and the principal Opposition DMK of repeatedly trading charges and wasting valuable House time instead of discussing people’s issues.

He said the Assembly might function for 10 hours a day, but only about three hours were devoted to public issues. He also alleged that ministers failed to provide department-specific replies, with only about three ministers answering most questions.

“If ministers concerned answer questions relating to their departments, only then can solutions be found,” he said.

Palaniswami said questions raised during the police demands for grants, including those concerning an alleged online investment fraud in which he claimed about Rs 1,000 crore had been lost, promotions and pay for police personnel and fraudulent chit schemes, had not received proper replies.

Calling the TVK government ineffective, he criticised it over law and order, corruption, inflation, and farmers’ problems. He alleged that murders, robberies, thefts and sexual-harassment incidents had increased and said preventing crime was the government’s responsibility.

The former CM alleged that paddy procured from farmers in the Cauvery Delta had been left in the open and damaged by rain, particularly in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai. He also demanded adequate water from the Mettur reservoir for samba cultivation, saying 40-45 days of supply would be insufficient for the crop’s 120-day cycle.

Palaniswami questioned the need to shift the Chief Minister’s office, saying successive Chief Ministers had used the same room since CN Annadurai. He described the government as a reels government and accused it of relying on borrowing to fund new schemes.

He said new parties joining the AIADMK-led front would be welcomed. Asked whether the DMK would be accepted, he smiled and replied: “Will the DMK come?”

The state committee meeting of the Sangam was held in Tiruchy chaired by the State president S Gunasekaran and the General Secretary Masilamani who spoke among the members, said, the farmers have lost their entire income of kuruvai as the crop failed due to water scarcity and it is essential for the state government to ensure at least single samba crop cultivation and so, the government should announce a special scheme for the samba cultivation which should assure medium and short term paddy seed varieties at 50 per cent subsidy.

He said that the delta farmers should initiate steps for the ensuing samba and thaladi in an area of 16 lakh acre for which adequate storage of water in Mettur is very essential, and so the state government should initiate legal fights to get the due share of water from Karnataka .

“Since it is predicted that the monsoon would create a challenge in cultivation, the farmers can not quit samba also, and so the special scheme should be drafted in such a way to help out the delta farmers”, he said.

He also appealed that the state government should release at least 16,000 cusecs from Mettur after November 15, which would support the turn system irrigation so that the water would reach until the tail-end region, and so the government should also appoint a monitoring committee in each district to ensure proper water flow, Masilamani said.

He also appealed not to entertain the private sector in samba insurance. Later, resolutions were passed on these demands during the meeting.

“As part of the intensified operation, drones were deployed through the night on Monday to scan forest areas in Gudalur for signs of the tiger. Forest personnel also conducted night patrols in locations where the animal was suspected to be moving,” said an official of the forest department.

On Tuesday, officials inspected 171 camera traps installed across the Gudalur forest division and adjoining areas, including the Naduvattam and Pykara forest ranges under the Ooty forest division.

To strengthen surveillance, another 18 camera traps were installed at strategic locations, taking the total number of cameras monitoring the tiger's movements to 189.

Despite the deployment of 13 trap cages at various locations, the tiger has continued to evade the capture teams.

Search teams, meanwhile, intensified combing operations along the boundaries of the Gudalur forest division, particularly around Northern Hay and the Singara border areas, in an effort to locate the animal.

The prolonged search comes amid fresh concern over tiger intrusion at Kuruthukuli near Ooty. Four cows taken for grazing close to forest areas were killed in suspected tiger attacks over the past two days.

The repeated livestock attacks have heightened anxiety among villagers, who have urged the forest department to intensify patrolling and surveillance.

However, forest department officials said an assessment was under way to determine whether a tiger was responsible for the attacks on the cattle.

The police seized 26 bank passbooks, 18 mobile phones, 77 ATM cards, 18 cheque books and 60 SIM cards from them.

According to the police, the main accused, J Faraskhan (23) of Ramanathapuram, a Visual Communication graduate, acted as a second-level agent who converted the money into US dollars before it was sent abroad as part of an “ID running” operation.

Madurai Superintendent of Police N Devanathan said, “This online fraud operates in multiple layers involving many people, but criminals involved in different layers have bare-minimum communication.”

The modus operandi is as follows: Cyber criminals who cheat people through various online frauds immediately transfer the money to different bank accounts through agents.

These agents immediately withdraw the money from these accounts, convert it into dollars through another network and send it back to the cyber scammers, Devanathan said.

The syndicate operates in such a way that, before victims can seek police help, the money is transferred through various bank accounts, making the investigation difficult, he added.

In this case, Faraskhan used his bank account and the bank accounts of several other persons to receive the money with the intention of earning money through illegal means.

“For every Rs 1 lakh he received from cyber criminals in various bank accounts, converted into US dollars and sent to cyber scammers, he received a commission of Rs 6,300,” said an investigating officer.

Through this illegal activity, he had received commissions amounting to around Rs 10 lakh during the past year, the officer added.

The two other accused, F Hafeeb Mohammed (21) of Pudukottai and M Mohamed Mubarrak (23) of Ramanathapuram, allegedly helped him carry out the operation.

“The trio hired a room on the outskirts of Madurai to carry out the operation,” said the officer.

“Many innocent people were cheated in this crime. These agents approach people in rural areas and open bank accounts in their names. They pay them between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 and collect their bank passbooks, which they use to receive money from cyber criminals,” the SP said.

Moreover, the agents also collect mobile SIM cards from another group and use them while opening the bank accounts.

They carry out all the online transactions using these numbers, while the original account holders remain unaware of the transactions, he added.

In some cases, people knowingly give their bank accounts to agents for a commission, the officer said, adding that the agents who help convert the money into dollars also earn substantial commissions.

The police have appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant against cyber fraud.

The decision was taken at the 57th meeting of the CWMA held in Delhi under the chairmanship of S K Haldar. Officials from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka participated in the meeting. Earlier in the day, the CWRC had recommended that Karnataka release water to Tamil Nadu at a rate of 6,000 cusecs for the next 15 days.

This follows the CWMA's earlier order on August 25 when, upholding the CWRC's recommendation, it had directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.

The meeting was held following the Supreme Court's direction to the Tamil Nadu government a day earlier to raise before the CWMA its grievance over the release of its proportionate share of Cauvery water by Karnataka.

At its 141st meeting on August 24, the CWRC had directed Karnataka to release water from its reservoirs and ensure a flow of 9,000 cusecs at the Biligundulu border point.

The flow had to be maintained continuously for 15 days, during which Tamil Nadu was expected to receive approximately 11.66 TMC of water.

The release is expected to benefit Kuruvai cultivation and meet Tamil Nadu's drinking water requirements.

Earlier, the CWRC had directed Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days from August 12. The CWMA had subsequently upheld that decision.

The performance audit on the implementation of JJM revealed a stark disconnect between the state's claimed success metrics and the actual ground reality.

While Tamil Nadu officially reported providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to nearly 84 per cent of its rural households, the report found that 50 per cent of the targeted households in selected districts are not receiving the mandated minimum supply of 55 litres per capita per day (lpcd).

The audit further exposed a shocking deviation from the mission's core guidelines, discovering that a staggering 96 per cent of the tap connections provided were improperly installed outside the beneficiaries' homes.

According to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report, out of 2,69,645 FHTCs surveyed across the selected districts, 2,59,613 were placed in open spaces and streets rather than inside the houses. This direct contravention of JJM guidelines not only deprives citizens of the intended convenience but also leaves the infrastructure highly vulnerable to damage, theft, and poor maintenance. The government had cited a lack of space and beneficiary requests as reasons for outside installations, an excuse the CAG rejected as it compromises the safety and longevity of the created assets.

The water supply data painted an equally grim picture of the mission's primary output. The audit highlighted that even in districts like Coimbatore, which officially reported 100 per cent FHTC coverage, only 8.67 per cent of habitations received the prescribed 55 lpcd of water.

In Nagapattinam district, none of the surveyed habitations received the adequate quantity.

Beneficiary surveys and focus group discussions corroborated these findings, with hundreds of respondents complaining of erratic supply, sometimes receiving water only once in four to seven days, and expressing dissatisfaction over poor water quality.

The CAG report warned that the widespread failure to ensure adequate water quantity and the improper, vulnerable placement of taps fundamentally defeat the JJM’s vision of improving the living standards of rural communities.

It recommended immediate government intervention to rectify these execution deficiencies and ensure the sustainable, adequate delivery of potable water to rural households.

The report also highlighted that a severe lack of synchronisation between the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board and rural development departments has crippled key JJM projects, leaving newly built village water tanks completely dry while main pipelines remain unfinished.

During joint physical verifications in the Thiruvadanai Block in Ramanathapuram district, auditors found that out of 12 sumps and three overhead tanks constructed, seven sumps were not receiving any water, and water was not being pumped to the overhead tanks.

According to the report, 165 in-village component works, aimed at providing FHTCs, were sanctioned under the 2020-21 Annual Action Plan at an estimated cost of Rs 32.93 crore. These local infrastructure assets were completed by February 2023.

However, the crucial retrofitting of the existing combined water supply scheme (CWSS) -- the main source intended to feed these villages -- was only taken up under the 2022-23 plan at a cost of Rs 574.42 crore.

As of May 2025, the TWAD Board's retrofitting work remains under progress, rendering the completed in-village infrastructure largely unused for over two years.

Judge Suresh Kumar awarded the death penalty to Chinnakutty, 20 years’ imprisonment to Murugesh and 13 years’ imprisonment to Muneeswaran.

According to the prosecution, the victim, a 16-year-old girl from Tirunelveli, was studying in Class 12 at a school in the town in October 2022.

During this period, Muneeswaran of Vilathikulam, who had come to a church in the town for painting work, became acquainted with the girl.

He had concealed from the victim that he was already married and subsequently developed a phone conversation with her that lasted for nearly two weeks.

On the day of the incident, Muneeswaran told the girl that he would take her to his sister’s house, luring her with a false promise of marriage.

Believing him, the girl accompanied him on his motorcycle. He took her to an isolated area and sexually assaulted her, according to the police.

His friends, Chinnakutty (27) and Murugesan (27), both from the Kokkirakulam and Keezh Veeraraghavapuram areas, were also present at the spot and allegedly sexually assaulted the girl.

“The three had conspired to bring the girl to the isolated place and rape her,” said a police source, adding that Chinnakutty had repeatedly raped her.

Based on a complaint, the Palayamkottai All-Women Police registered a case and arrested all three accused. Chinnakutty was already facing murder cases, according to the police.

The trial was conducted before the Tirunelveli Special Pocso Court. Judge Suresh Kumar found Muneeswaran, Chinnakutty and Murugesan guilty.

Following the verdict, armed police personnel escorted the three convicts to the prisoners’ waiting room at the court complex, where they were kept under tight security.

According to the announcement, AIADMK members interested to  contest in  the by-elections can collect the application forms from the party headquarters from Tuesday until September 10.

The announcement comes after six AIADMK MLAs who won in the recent Assembly election resigned from their posts and joined  TVK.

They are  Maragatham Kumaravel of Madurantakam,

Jayakumar of Perundurai, Sathyabama of Dharapuram, Isakki Subbaiah  Ambasamudram, C. Vijayabaskar  Viralimalai and M.R. Vijayabaskar of Karur.

Following their resignations, seven Assembly constituencies, including Tiruchirappalli East - the second seat contested by CM Joseph Vijay and won -, became vacant.

Election Commission on Monday announced that by elections will be held on October 6 in  Dharapuram and Madurantakam.

Against this backdrop, Palaniswami has asked AIADAMK members who wish to contest the by election to apply. The filled in applications should be submitted at the AIADMK headquarters by 6 PM on September 10.

The party has asked applicants to pay the application fee and provide all the required details while submitting their forms.

After the DMK MLAs were evicted, the Speaker justified his decision, saying that he had ordered their eviction as their conduct was disrupting the proceedings of the House.

When the Assembly commenced on Tuesday, DMK Whip E V Velu raised a query about the Chief Minister's speech while replying to the demand for grants for the Home Department. Velu said the Chief Minister's speech was totally contrary to the Assembly rules and referred to matters that were under court inquiry.

"The former Chief Minister and our leader was arrested a year under the MISA Act, which is already a known fact. During the Chief Minister's speech on the Sarkaria Commission, he mentioned the name of Murasoli Maran, who is deceased. This also contradicts the Assembly rules, as the names of deceased persons should not be mentioned in Assembly debates. The Sarkaria Commission itself said that no charges had been proved," he said.

Explaining the relationship between the Maran family and Chief Minister Vijay, Velu said the commemorative stamp was released by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then actor and present Chief Minister Vijay.

Terming the Chief Minister's speech against DMK leaders baseless and without evidence, Velu demanded that the speech be expunged from the House records.

Replying to him, Minister for Law and Energy R Nirmalkumar said that during the DMK regime, allegations relating to the purchase of wheat and pesticides were proved by the Sarkaria Commission.

"Former Chief Minister Stalin's arrest occurred owing to various reasons, including a defamatory speech against the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and not under the MISA Act," the Minister said.

Following this, DMK members raised slogans against him. When Minister Aadhav Arjuna was trying to speak, the DMK members continued raising slogans. He responded that if they continued, the TVK MLAs would also raise their voices.

The Speaker asked the Minister not to speak in that manner and said the ruling party MLAs should maintain silence, as they had done during the Chief Minister's reply on Monday.

After that, Ministers Aadhav Arjuna and K A Sengottaiyan justified the Chief Minister's speech and said there was no need to expunge it from the House records.

Following the Ministers' statements, DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan asked whether the Chief Minister could produce the Enforcement Directorate records as evidence and questioned the need to mention Murasoli Maran's name.

After his argument, the Speaker said the issue of the Sarkaria Commission had been discussed in the Assembly several times and that Stalin's arrest under the MISA was also a fact. "The Chief Minister mentioned an ED document that was in the public domain. So, there is no need to expunge the Chief Minister's speech from the Assembly records," the Speaker said.

After the Speaker pronounced his ruling, DMK MLAs raised slogans against him. As the Speaker stood by his ruling, the DMK MLAs trooped into the Well and raised slogans.

Minister and House Chairman K A Sengottaiyan warned the members that their conduct was against the traditional norms and decorum of the Assembly and appealed to them to return to their seats.

Speaker Prabhakar also repeatedly warned the protesting members and directed them to withdraw from the Well. However, the DMK MLAs continued their protest despite the warnings.

With the disruption continuing, the Speaker ordered their eviction. Assembly marshals entered the Well and evicted the DMK members en masse.

The eviction turned dramatic as some of the protesting MLAs resisted the marshals. A few DMK members were physically lifted and carried out of the House by marshals, even as the protest continued.

Last week, four TVK ministers had met the leaders of the parties that are sharing power and supporting the government from outside to invite them to the meeting on September 9.

The TVK emissaries had said the meeting was intended to form a new alliance under the party’s leadership, evolve a common minimum programme, and face the forthcoming local body and Lok Sabha elections, said CPM State secretary P Shanmugam.

“However, after consulting our party leadership, we have decided not to participate in the meeting,” Shanmugam said, but clarified that the decision would not affect the party’s support to the government.

Shanmugam said the party would directly inform the TVK of its decision not to attend the meeting, just as the ministers had personally invited the party.

The CPM would separately convey its suggestions to the government on issues concerning farmers, agricultural workers, workers and the people of Tamil Nadu.

It would send a written note outlining the measures it expects the TVK government to take, leaving it to the government to accept or reject them, he said.

Later in the day, CPI State secretary M Veerapandian, too, announced the party’s decision not to take part in the meeting.

Even while they supported the TVK to form an alliance and stake claim for power, and also supported the grouping during the confidence vote, the two left parties had decided not to join the government.

Since then, they have been acting as critics from inside over various issues.

During 2019-22, an average of 46 per cent of schools in the eight sampled districts did not avail the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, while 39 per cent did not avail the Post-Matric Scheme. Between 2019 and 2023, the non-coverage of potentially eligible SC students ranged from 21-52 per cent for Pre-Matric and 20-29 per cent for Post-Matric scholarships. For ST students, the corresponding figures were 35-55 per cent and 30-42 per cent.

The audit also found that 2,901 students who had been sanctioned Pre-Matric or Post-Matric SC/ST scholarships during 2017-22 dropped out or were excluded the following year.

Physical scrutiny of 9,076 scholarship applications found that income/community certificates were missing from 2,569 sanctioned applications (28 per cent). The report also flagged a lack of transparency and arbitrary practices in admissions under the management quota in private institutions. Failure to ensure compliance with prescribed admission procedures resulted in scholarships being granted to ineligible students.

Scholarship disbursement was also delayed in 36,510 instances between 2017 and 2023, involving Rs 7.28 crore, with delays ranging from one month to more than a year. Another Rs 1.61 crore meant for 3,530 SC/ST/SCC beneficiaries was returned because bank accounts were blocked, frozen, closed or did not exist.

Analysis of Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (TNeGA) data for 2022-23 revealed that 160 SC beneficiaries received the 40 per cent State share twice, while course fees were credited twice to 253 ST beneficiaries. Multiple cases were also found where beneficiaries received other scholarships or concessions simultaneously.

Further, 2,576 SCC students who were ineligible for Central funds received 60 per cent of the scholarship from the Central share during 2021-23, resulting in an incorrect payment of Rs 3.64 crore.

The audit attributed the shortcomings to the absence of a robust IT framework and online grievance redressal mechanism, as well as the non-conduct of evaluation and social audits. Required district-level and annual inspections of private institutions were also not carried out, it cited.

Speaking to journalists at the party headquarters, Anna Arivalayam, where DMK legislators assembled after being evicted from the House, Stalin was asked whether the current Assembly was being conducted with "dignity".

"You are asking the question yourself whether it is being conducted with dignity. It is being run in such a manner that it warrants that very question," Stalin replied.

Earlier in the day, following the ruckus over Vijay's certain references regarding DMK in the House on Monday, Speaker JCD Prabhakar had directed the eviction of the main opposition party's MLAs.

Meanwhile, Senior DMK leader EV Velu alleged that Vijay had violated Assembly Rule 92, which explicitly bars debates on matters that are pending before a court of law.

Addressing a press conference, the former minister noted that the opposition listened patiently while the chief minister spoke. However, the CM then referred to an ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) case and read out an affidavit in the House, "violating" established rules.

The DMK leader further alleged that the chief minister went on to mock the DMK leadership's incarceration under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) during the Emergency, adopting theatrical body language and gestures to trivialise the "sacrifices of DMK veterans".

Velu also criticised the treasury benches for reviving debates around the Sarkaria Commission to malign the late former Union Minister Murasoli Maran.

Pointing out that all 28 allegations examined by the Commission were closed for lack of evidence, Velu recalled that AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran had himself submitted to the panel that he merely forwarded a complaint handed to him by an advocate.

Velu questioned the propriety of CM Vijay attacking Maran, pointing out that the CM had previously attended the release of a commemorative postage stamp honouring the DMK leader in alongside MP Dayanidhi Maran and had acted in films produced by that family.

"During Zero Hour, we represented to the Speaker that discussing a sub-judice ED case violated Assembly rules, that mocking MISA sacrifices was unacceptable, and that raking up the dismissed Sarkaria Commission allegations was inappropriate. We demanded that all three references be expunged from the Assembly records," Velu said.

"However, the Speaker refused to expunge the remarks. When we pressed our legitimate, democratic demand, the police and marshals were deployed to physically lift and throw us out," he added.

Accusing the ruling dispensation of engaging in image-building rather than substantive governance, Velu contrasted the DMK's "real administration under the Dravidian model" with what he termed "reel governance" manufactured for social media video clips.

He also dismissed the treasury benches' claim that a woman legislator recently presiding from the Speaker's chair was unprecedented, citing historical precedents of women members including AS Ponnammal and D Yasodha presiding over House proceedings in the past.

According to a Daily Thanthi report, Gudalur and its surrounding areas usually receive southwest and northeast monsoon rainfall between June and November.

The Meteorological Department had already forecast that rainfall would be below normal this year.

Why is Gudalur facing a drinking water shortage threat?

Rainfall has decreased further in the past few days. With insufficient southwest monsoon rain and increasing heat this week, water flow in the region's main rivers has declined. The fall in water flow has also reduced groundwater levels, affecting agriculture.

Which rivers in Gudalur are witnessing reduced water flow?

The water flow in rivers supplying drinking water has also declined sharply. The Pandiar, Mayar, Soladi and Ponnani rivers have reportedly receded to the extent that rocks are visible.

The public has been urged to use the available drinking water economically and avoid wastage.

As the latter subsequently resigned the post and joined the ruling TVK, the court’s decision paves the way for the Election Commission to proceed with the bye-election there.

Meanwhile, Thoppu Venkatachalam, who contested the election from the constituency as a DMK candidate, filed an election petition before the Madras High Court challenging Jayakumar’s victory. Jayakumar subsequently filed a petition seeking dismissal of the election petition.

Hearing the petition, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that no cause of action had been disclosed in the election petition filed by Thoppu Venkatachalam. Accordingly, the judge allowed Jayakumar’s petition and dismissed the election petition filed by Venkatachalam.

In the election, AIADMK candidate Jayakumar was declared the winner by a margin of 9,693 votes. Subsequently, after voting in favour of the TVK government in the trust vote, Jayakumar resigned as MLA and joined TVK. Meanwhile, Venkatachalam, who contested as the DMK candidate, filed an election petition before the High Court challenging Jayakumar's victory, while the latter filed a petition seeking dismissal of the election petition.

Hearing the petition, Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that no cause of action had been disclosed in Venkatachalam’s election petition. Accordingly, the judge allowed Jayakumar's petition and dismissed Venkatachalam’s plea.

The dismissal of the petition is significant, as Perundurai is among the five constituencies where the division bench of the Madras High Court, led by Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari, had restrained the Election Commission from conducting or announcing bye-elections until the related election petitions are disposed of.

Adding another political twist to the drama, Venkatachalam recently quit the DMK.

District Election Officer and Chengalpattu Collector M Veerappan announced that the election code came into effect from Monday night and will remain in force until October 11.

Municipal workers and officials have begun removing banners, posters and cut-outs put up by political parties across the constituency. The names and photographs of political leaders displayed on plaques, flagpoles and publicity boards are also being covered or removed in accordance with election regulations. Wall writings and political graffiti are being erased by painting over them.

The Madurantakam (SC) constituency has a total electorate of 2,11,295 voters, comprising 1,03,943 men, 1,07,288 women and 64 third-gender voters.

The constituency fell vacant following the resignation of its sitting MLA, Maragatham Kumaravel. She had won the seat as an AIADMK candidate in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election held on April 23. However, within days of her victory, she resigned from her Assembly membership, quit the AIADMK and joined the ruling TVK, resulting in the seat being declared vacant.

The Election Commission of India has subsequently announced by-elections for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies.

The nomination process is scheduled to begin on September 9 and will continue until September 16. Polling will be held on October 6, while the counting of votes and declaration of results are scheduled for October 9.

Election officials have warned that carrying cash exceeding Rs 50,000 without proper supporting documents could invite action during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Flying squad personnel will conduct checks on vehicles and individuals and may seize cash for which satisfactory documentation cannot be produced.

Those whose money is seized can approach the election authorities and reclaim it after producing valid accounts and supporting documents. Unaccounted cash, jewellery, gifts and other valuables suspected to be linked to electoral malpractice will be seized and deposited with the district treasury in accordance with election procedures.

To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the bypoll, the Chengalpattu Collector has convened a meeting of representatives of all recognised political parties on Tuesday.

As soon as the House proceedings commenced, DMK Whip EV Velu, referring to Vijay's statement on Monday, demanded that references made by the chief minister on matters such as ED's allegations of graft be removed from House records as it contravened rules.

Velu also objected to references to Sarkaria Commission maintaining that no offences were made out.

Law Minister R Nirmalkumar defended the CM's statement based on Sarkaria Commission report and the ED's official documents and reiterated allegations of corruption against the then DMK regime.

The DMK members objected to it.

As Speaker JCD Prabhakar ruled against expunction of CM's remarks, noisy slogans by the DMK MLAs continued.

Several DMK MLAs gathered in front of the Speaker's podium, pressed their demand and continued with sloganeering.

Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan demanded action against them in compliance with House rules.

Eventually, Speaker ordered the marshals to evict them and his directive was followed by them.

While being taken out of the Assembly hall, DMK MLAs continued to raise slogans on the issue.

The nondescript village near Usilampatti in Madurai came to national attention in 2008 after the oppressed community and the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front of the CPM protested the existence of an ‘untouchability wall’ between the houses of members of the Devendrakula Velalar (a Scheduled Caste community) and Pillaimar, a dominant caste in southern Tamil Nadu.

Though the then DMK government headed by chief minister M Karunanidhi demolished a portion of the wall, the key point of contention – the rights of Devendrakula Velalar community members to worship at the Muthalamman temple, which belongs to the Pillaimar community, and the peepal tree located within its premises – had remained unresolved for nearly 30 years. Although temple festivals had been conducted over the years, the customary Abhishekams and Utsavams for the deities were not being performed.

“…to find a permanent solution to the worship-related problems of the petition temple by executing the order to be passed within legal rules regarding the rights dispute between the two communities, it is essential to establish the right to worship for everyone as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, and to bring the petition temple under the direct control of the HR&CE,” said V Sabaramathi, Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Department.

The order was issued based on the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court's April 21, 2025, judgment in a writ appeal, which directed the Joint Commissioner (Dindigul) to initiate proceedings under the HR&CE Act to determine the customary practice governing worship of the Thala Virutcham (peepal tree).

The representatives of the two communities held discussions in 1989 to resolve the dispute. As per the agreement reached on June 23, 1989, Devendrakula Velalars were restricted from worshipping or offering respects to the Peepal tree. They could come only up to the bridge on the panchayat road branching southwards from the main road on the day of Kayiru Kuthum, worship the deity, and leave. Only the regular Maruladis (deity-possessors) and the priest were permitted to enter the area.

Despite the agreement, several peace committee meetings in the presence of Revenue and police officials, and even various orders being passed by the High Court, the dispute continued to fester.

The order noted that no specific solution to the dispute over worship of the peepal tree was reached even at the peace committee meeting held on October 20, 2011, under the chairmanship of the police superintendent. Subsequently, in writ petition No. 10500 of 2010, the Madurai Bench directed the district administration to take appropriate measures to implement the agreement reached under the leadership of the SP. Against this backdrop, the bench directed the HR&CE Department to address the dispute over worship of the temple.

Following this, the Assistant Commissioner of Theni and the Inspector of the Peraiyur Range have been directed to take immediate action to bring the temple under the direct control of the HR&CE Department.

Justice V Lakshminarayanan directed the police to respond to the petition and posted the matter to September 9.

S Anbumani, a Tirupur district executive committee member of the Hindu Munnani, filed the petition seeking a direction to the Tirupur District Superintendent of Police to consider his application for permission to install a Vinayagar idol and conduct a procession in Kattupalayam from September 14 to 17 as part of the Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations.

He stated that he was ready to comply with the conditions and regulations issued annually for the procession.

When the case came up for hearing, the government counsel said the district police would be consulted, and a response would be filed granting permission for the installation of the Vinayagar idol and the procession.

Having done his homework, the TVK chief first referred to the Sarkaria Commission report that raised the spectre of suspicion about the then DMK chief Karunanidhi, before deftly using the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) documents to train the fire on Stalin and Udhayanidhi.

Vijay cited an ED report on alleged collection of commissions ranging from 7.5% to 10% between 2021 and 2025 in the name of party funds by the Municipal Administration Department, and said the central agency named Stalin and Udhayanidhi, the then chief minister and deputy chief minister respectively, as the direct beneficiaries.

He then quickly moved on to everyone’s favourite punching bag, Tasmac. "The ED had alleged in its report that the then minister in charge of the [Prohibition and Excise] department misused his power," Vijay said.

A person named Rathish wielded powers to transfer all district revenue officers in Tasmac and the then MD of the corporation acted on his instructions, Vijay alleged, adding that after the TVK-led government came to power, Rathish fled to Dubai.

Similarly, he added, the ED report said the then minister V Senthilbalaji’s brother Ashokkumar was involved in fixing transport tenders in Tasmac. "The ED mentioned in its report that the Karur gang collected party funds from bar owners. We, and the people, are eager to know who the leader of the gang is," Vijay said, noting how the central agency has said that the gang was fleecing Rs 10-Rs 100 from customers in an organised manner.

Vijay vowed that the TVK-led government would demolish what he described as the DMK's "fake image".

Referring to the political legacy of three icons from South India – CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran, and NT Ramarao – he said: “The next is me."

The fiery speech and the dramatic manner in which it was delivered did not, obviously, amuse the DMK members, who were on their feet but were largely drowned by the desk-breaking thumping by the ruling party MLAs.

When Speaker JCD Prabhakar refused to allow Udhayanidhi to respond to the allegations, the DMK members protested for nearly half an hour, repeatedly seeking an opportunity to give their explanation to the charges. Some of them even staged a sit-in before the Speaker's chair.

The proceedings threatened to reach a flash point when the Speaker directed the marshals to remove the DMK members. But, after both Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan and Vijay appealed to the Speaker to allow the Opposition to respond, Prabhakar initially agreed to allow Udhayanidhi, only to rescind the decision. The DMK members, led by Udhayanidhi, subsequently walked out of the Assembly.

The Bill was subsequently passed by the House on Monday. Prior to the revision, MLAs received a total monthly salary and allowances of around Rs 1.05 lakh, including compensatory, telephone, and constituency allowances, among other benefits. Following the latest revision, their total monthly salary and allowances will increase to around Rs 2.05 lakh.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister KA Sengottaiyan introduced the Bill in the House. The legislation follows the Chief Minister's announcement in the Assembly on August 19, 2026, that a vehicle would be provided to every MLA to help them effectively serve the public and discharge their constituency-related duties.

The Chief Minister had also announced that the vehicle allowance for MLAs would be increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 per month. In addition, a Personal Assistant allowance of Rs 25,000 per month would be sanctioned for every MLA.

Responding to remarks on his speech at a Tiruvannamalai district general council meeting, Basha said he had only conveyed the views expressed by his party leader.

Speaking later, Minorities Welfare Minister AM Shahjahan asked who had approached the IUML on May 7 seeking its support for a particular person as the next chief minister. He alleged that the DMK had initially decided to prevent a government being formed under the leadership of C Joseph Vijay before changing its position.

Going a step ahead, he alleged that two MLAs were confined at a hotel and threatened, adding that details would be revealed if required.

Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna said the TVK had held discussions with leaders of the IUML, VCK and the Left parties, but denied holding individual negotiations with any MLA.

After finding his party being caught in the crossfire between TVK and DMK, senior AIADMK leader and MLA Agri SS Krishnamurthy rejected the allegations that his party and the DMK had tried to join hands to thwart the TVK from coming to power.

The two seats are among seven vacancies in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The EC, however, has not announced polls for Tiruchy East, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai, Perundurai, and Karur, where election-related cases concerning the returned candidates are pending. The restraint on holding by-elections in these five constituencies has been extended till September 8.

The announcement brought the Model Code of Conduct into force immediately in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. According to the schedule, nominations can be filed from September 9 to 16, scrutiny will be held on September 17, the last date for withdrawal is September 19, and counting of votes will take place on October 9.

The two constituencies fell vacant after AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama resigned as MLAs and joined the TVK. They are likely to be fielded by the ruling party, though the TVK is yet to formally announce its candidates.

The bypolls assume political significance as they come barely three months after the TVK formed the government. A victory in both constituencies would provide a boost to the ruling party’s numbers and help demonstrate that its electoral support has remained intact after assuming power.

The contests also come against the backdrop of differences between the TVK and some of its allies. The CPI has held protests over rising prices, while the CPM has differed with the State government on various issues. The Congress has warned that it could reconsider its participation in the cabinet unless Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is accepted as the alliance's Prime Ministerial candidate.

The principal Opposition DMK has lost all its major allies to the TVK. The AIADMK-led alliance, in contrast, has remained intact despite six of its MLAs quitting the party and joining the TVK. At the same time, some senior leaders and MLAs rebelled against AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The DMK, AIADMK, and BJP are expected to mount an aggressive campaign against the TVK in both constituencies. For the AIADMK, the bopolls are particularly significant as the vacancies were caused by the defection of its legislators to the TVK.