Tamilselvan

Chennai's representation in the state cabinet has been bolstered with the induction of two new MLAs, bringing the total number of ministers from the city to six. The expanded cabinet now comprises 33 ministers, with two berths potentially reserved for coalition partners. This marks a significant development with Congress MLAs joining the ministry for the first time.

As part of the reshuffle, Vijay retained the Poverty Alleviation portfolio and reassigned the Women Welfare department, previously held by him, to newly inducted minister K Jegadeshwari. Congress leaders S Rajesh Kumar and P Viswanathan have been allotted the Tourism and Higher Education portfolios, respectively. Another TVK minister, Mohamed Farvas, has been allocated the Labour Welfare and Skill Development portfolio.

Yercaud, a Scheduled Tribe reserved constituency in Tamil Nadu's Salem district, has consistently seen electoral battles between AIADMK and DMK. The AIADMK secured a victory in the 2016 elections with a margin of 17,394 votes, building on their win in 2011. Historically, the constituency has alternated between the two major Dravidian parties, reflecting state-wide political trends.

Rasipuram, a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, has historically seen close electoral battles between AIADMK and DMK. In 2016, AIADMK's Dr. V. Saroja won by 9,631 votes, a tighter margin than the 2011 contest where AIADMK's Dhanapal P secured a larger victory.

Sivakumar. K of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam won the Perambalur constituency with a margin of 14393 votes. He garnered 90882 votes, while Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate Dr. Jayalakshmi. S.T came second with 76489 votes.

Avinashi, an AIADMK stronghold, sees a surprising electoral contest. Union Minister L Murugan of BJP faces 28-year-old political novice V Gokilamani from DMK, a doctor chosen to appeal to Arunthathiyar voters and promote young leadership. AIADMK's strategic decision to cede the seat to BJP adds complexity, with smaller parties potentially influencing the outcome.

Puducherry's 9.5 lakh voters will elect 294 candidates across 30 Assembly seats on April 9. The ruling NDA faces a challenge from the INDIA bloc and actor Vijay's TVK party. Chief Minister N Rangasamy is contesting from two constituencies as all arrangements are in place for the polls.

AIADMK is leaning on its experienced leaders for the upcoming assembly elections, renominating 46 sitting MLAs and 14 former ministers. This strategy aims to solidify its voter base and minimize internal conflicts. While 150 candidates are announced, including 17 women, the party is fielding only one Muslim candidate.

Just two days after stating that he was not joining either AIADMK or DMK and denying that no one was in touch with him, the erstwhile propaganda secretary of AMMK, Thanga Tamilselvan, on Friday joined the DMK, along with a group of supporters, in the presence of party president M K Stalin.

A day after being admonished by AMMK general secretary T T V Dhinakaran for making unwarranted comments about the party, its erstwhile propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan hit back saying Dhinakaran is functioning as a "one man army."

Former AMMK propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan, who joined the DMK on Friday, said the party had a strong leadership and its president M K Stalin was a hard-working leader capable of taking Tamil Nadu forward.

The rural police arrested a 35-year-old man for abetting suicide of his mother-in-law in Vadakkukadu, Pollachi, on Friday. The arrested person was identified as D Tamilselvan of Thottathusalai at MG Pudur in Pollachi, a farmer.

AMMK propaganda secretary Thanga Tamilselvan may switch over to the AIADMK despite opposition from party coordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam, sources in the two parties told TOI.

Tamil Nadu Archaeological Research Centre secretary Govindaraj said the find would help researchers understand the transition from the Nolamba artistic style to the Chola style.

The incident happened on Saturday evening when Tamilselvan, 35, of Arumbakkam was returning home after work. He was stopped near MMDA signal by two men who wanted to hire the cab.

Customs officials at the Trichy Airport seized 12kg of gold from a 55-year-old man who arrived here in a Tiger Airways flight from Singapore on Saturday night.

The city crime branch police on Thursday arrested a 29-year-old man for cheating 13 men of 15.7 lakh by promising to get them jobs in New Zealand. Police have seized 44 original passports and a car from him.

Avinashi tahsildar M Tamilselvan, who had courted a controversy by asking a meat stall owner not to sell beef, was transferred and posted as a special tahsildar (social security scheme) at Uthukuli in Tirupur district on Monday night.

The ex-boyfriend of a former BPO employee, whose body was discovered on Monday, has confessed to the murder. The 23-year-old woman, Vinodhini, was found dead in the bathroom of an old commercial establishment in North Beach. Police had nabbed the man, Tamilselvan, late on Monday evening.

Three men were killed in an accident involving a moped and a motorcycle on Karukkankattupudur flyover near Perumanallur in Tirupur district late Monday night.