The high-decibel campaign for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections reached its climax on Tuesday as political parties observed the 6 PM deadline to silence their loudspeakers. All 234 constituencies across the state are scheduled to go to polls in a single phase this Thursday, April 23. The final hours of the campaign saw a surge in intensity, with top leaders like Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Opposition Leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami conducting massive roadshows in their respective home turfs of Kolathur and Edappadi. Notably, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu provided a strategic “finishing touch” to the NDA’s campaign by touring Telugu-dominant areas over the last two days.
This election has evolved into a compelling triangular contest with the entry of actor Vijay’s newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Vijay, who is contesting from the Perambur constituency, has reportedly drawn significant support from youth and women voters, potentially disrupting the traditional vote banks of the Dravidian giants, DMK and AIADMK. While the ruling DMK alliance is banking on its “Dravidian Model” of welfare schemes, such as free bus travel and financial aid for women, the AIADMK-BJP combine has aggressively targeted the government over corruption and law and order issues.
Local grievances and regional pride have taken center stage, with issues like the NEET exemption, Cauvery water disputes, and the Katchatheevu island controversy dominating political speeches. National leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, made multiple visits to the state, turning it into a national battlefield. As the “silence period” begins, the Election Commission has heightened surveillance to prevent voter inducements, sealing state borders and deploying massive security forces. The fate of the candidates will be sealed by approximately 5.6 crore voters on Thursday, with the final results slated for May 4.
