2026 TN elections | Sporadic tensions mar polling in Chennai

CHENNAI: Isolated tensions marked polling day in parts of Chennai on Thursday, with rival party workers trading allegations at booths even as voting progressed across the city.

At a polling station set up at St Francis Xavier Middle School in Alwarpet, BJP candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan raised a complaint that DMK booth agents were present inside without valid identity cards. "They are inside without proper identification," she alleged during an inspection. DMK functionaries, however, refuted the charge, stating, "We have valid identity cards." The exchange triggered a brief verbal altercation between cadres of both parties before officials intervened.

In a separate incident in the Chepauk-Triplicane constituency, tension flared at a polling booth in Balaji Nagar located within the Gill Adarsh School premises. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) alleged that its local functionary Radhi, who was on booth duty, was pushed to the ground by DMK functionary KV Mohan, who also allegedly damaged furniture at the site.

Following the incident, TVK cadre staged a road blockade demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. AIADMK functionaries also extended support to the protest, amplifying calls for police action.

Police personnel were deployed in strength in the area to prevent escalation and restore order. Election officials did not immediately comment on the incidents.