mylapore

Congress returns to power in Tamil Nadu after 59 years with two legislators sworn in as ministers. Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expanded his cabinet, rewarding loyalists and allies, and notably inducted seven Dalit ministers, the highest ever. The new cabinet also features two Brahmin ministers and is one of the youngest in the state's history.

M Suganthi, daughter of a water can delivery worker, scored 496 out of 500 in the TN SSLC exams, emerging as one of Chennai’s top performers. A student of Govt Girls Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar, she plans to pursue Business Mathematics and aim for a career in chartered accountancy. She also expressed hope that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay would acknowledge her achievement, while her family and supporters highlighted her hard work and perseverance.

Veteran producer R.B. Choudary tragically passed away in a road accident near Udaipur. His mortal remains will be brought to Chennai on May 6 for his final rites, with his residence in mylapore open for public viewing from 3:00 p.m. Choudary, founder of Super Good Films, produced over 90 films and introduced numerous directors.

He is survived by his four sons — Suresh, Jeeva, and actors Jithan Ramesh and Jiiva.

Vijay's Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam achieved a stunning debut, securing 14 out of 16 Chennai seats, even unseating the Chief Minister. The party credits its success to a strong appeal among Dalit voters, fishermen, and urban electorates seeking change, amplified by targeted digital campaigns and welfare promises resonating with women.

Tamil Nadu's new assembly boasts increased diversity with 25 minority, 50 SC/ST, and 23 women representatives. TVK party is credited with breaking caste and religious barriers by fielding Dalit candidates in general constituencies, with several securing victories. This marks a significant shift from traditional candidate selection practices.

Tamil Nadu's high voter turnout signals a crucial election. Chief Minister Stalin's DMK seeks continuity, while the AIADMK aims for a comeback. Actor Vijay's TVK emerges as a significant challenger, particularly among younger voters. Key constituencies like Kolathur and Perambur are witnessing intense multi-cornered contests, setting the stage for a decisive outcome.

A CCTV operator on election duty was arrested for recording and sharing footage from a high-security control room near a strong room housing EVMs at Anna University. The breach, noticed by security, led to his immediate arrest and the seizure of his devices.

According to police, the man entered the CCTV control room located near the strong room and recorded footage while watching a film on his laptop. He later uploaded footage in social media, along with visuals from inside the control room and his official identity card, claiming control over election surveillance operations.

Tamil Nadu's 2026 Assembly elections are poised for a significant youth impact, with over 1.22 crore voters aged 18-29 forming a crucial bloc. First-time voters cite empowerment and safety as key drivers. The emergence of actor Vijay's party, TVK, adds a new dynamic, potentially influencing results in closely contested seats and reshaping the state's political future.

Chennai voters, including first-timers, expressed diverse motivations for casting their ballots. From championing women's empowerment and safety to seeking a change in governance and believing in the democratic process, citizens actively participated. Many highlighted the importance of individual votes in shaping the state's future, with some anticipating a competitive election influenced by new political entrants.

The estimated poll percentage released by the Election Commission of India at 1.32pm for Chennai district showed that Virugambakkam recorded the highest turnout at 59.3%, followed closely by T Nagar (Thiyagarayanagar) at 58.01%.

As the countdown to polling day ticks down to just 24 hours, dedicated party volunteers are hitting the streets to ensure that every voter makes it to the polling station. In a bid to simplify the voting experience, officials have rolled out an innovative colour-coding system that allows for quick identification of booth locations.