Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) joined the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Chennai on October 15, marking the party’s first participation in the alliance’s agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration, organised by the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, focused on alleged irregularities in voter-list revision and included demands for the Chief Election Commissioner’s removal. The Election Commission has faced criticism from opposition parties over the exercise, while allegations of bias remain disputed.
TVK Sends Minister A Rajmohan to Protest
TVK was represented by School Education Minister A Rajmohan, who addressed opposition leaders and defended voting rights. He said his party had opposed the SIR process even before coming to power in Tamil Nadu and would continue to challenge it.
Rajmohan raised concerns about voter deletions, particularly their potential impact on young people, women, marginalised communities and first-time voters. These were claims made during his speech and were not accompanied by constituency-wise evidence establishing their electoral consequences.
Opposition Parties Unite Over Voter Revision
The protest brought together Congress leaders and representatives of several INDIA bloc constituents, including the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist), CPI (Marxist-Leninist) and Indian Union Muslim League.
Congress MP and Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B Manickam Tagore led the demonstration. Opposition parties have argued that the voter revision exercise risks excluding eligible citizens and have called for greater accountability in the electoral process.
Vijay’s Participation Raises Alliance Questions
TVK formally joined the INDIA bloc on October 3, strengthening its ties with Congress at the national level. Its participation in the Chennai protest was an important step in translating that alliance into joint political action.
However, TVK’s presence was limited to one minister, with no other party leaders or cadres participating and no TVK flags displayed at the gathering, according to The Indian Express. Vijay did not attend the demonstration.
The restrained participation comes amid shifting political relationships in Tamil Nadu, particularly following the DMK’s exit from the INDIA bloc after Congress aligned with Vijay’s government.
SIR Debate Continues
The Chennai demonstration reflects the continuing opposition campaign against the SIR process and the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls. While opposition parties have demanded changes and accountability, the broader debate has also raised questions about voter inclusion, electoral transparency and the relationship between regional parties and national alliances.
TVK’s next steps will be closely watched as the INDIA bloc continues its campaign against the voter revision exercise.