Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in the Viluppuram district on Sunday, 27 October. A drone view showed Vijay greeting his party workers and fans at the conference as the crowd cheered and waved flags of the party.

The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam held its first conference on Sunday at Vikravandi V Salai village in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu.

The actor-turned-politician said earlier that he would announce the party’s political ideology leaders, ideology, policies, and roadmap during the conference.

“With the affection and support of Tamil Nadu people, our victorious political journey is being extended. To reveal our political ideology leaders, to reveal our party ideology and policies and to announce our party roadmap, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam first political state conference to be held on October 27 at V Salai Village, Vikravandi, Villupuram District,” TVK Chief Vijay was quoted by news agency ANI on September 20.

“The initial works of our conference have already started and groundwork works also to begin now. Let set strong political path through this conference,” the statement read.

The Election Commission of India officially registered Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam as a political party on September 8. It also granted the party permission to participate in electoral politics as a registered party.

Sharing the information in a post on X, Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay said, “The Election Commission of India officially registers Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam as a political party and grants permission to participate in electoral politics as a registered party”After unveiling the flag and symbol of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party on Thursday, actor and TVK chief Vijay emphasised working together for the development of Tamil Nadu.

On August 22 this year, Vijay unveiled the flag and symbol of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and said that he will uphold the principle of equality for all living beings. Vijay joined politics and announced his party in February this year in the run-up to the Assembly elections likely in 2026.

Assembly elections are likely to be held in Tamil Nadu in 2026 as the tenure of the current government will end the same year.

Hindi imposition row: Union Minister L Murugan has hit out at Tamil Nadu deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for advising couples to name their children with “Tamil names” to avoid Hindi imposition in the south Indian state, ANI reported.

Reacting to Stalin’s remark, Murugan on October 23 accused the ruling political party — Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), of “discrimination”, the report added. The union minister also questioned: “is Udhayanidhi Stalin a Tamil name?” telling the deputy CM to follow his advice in their own family first.

Row Over ‘Tamil Names’ Remark

“Is Udhayanidhi Stalin a Tamil name? First, they should keep Tamil names in their family. No one is imposing Hindi in Tamil Nadu…Those who are willing to study the Hindi language can study. Why you are objecting?” Murugan said.

He added, “The DMK means discrimination…They speak about social justice but they won’t follow it. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi is taking the Tamil language across the world…Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin is trying to mislead the people…He should not do politics in the name of language…”

‘Statement Falsely Distorted’

On October 22, Deputy CM Stalin stated that his statements were “falsely distorted”.

“I also mentioned the principles given by Periyar, Perarignar Anna, and our leader Kalaignar. But my statements were distorted falsely and I have now been sued in several courts in India, not only in Tamil Nadu. They asked me to apologize in court, but I refused. I have stated, ‘What I said is said. I am Kalaignar’s grandson, and I will not apologize for anything. Now, I am facing the charges. Our Dravidian model government is a shining example for other states…” he clarified.

Why The Controversy?

The controversy erupted after Udhayanidhi Stalin said that the couples should come up with Tamil names for their children so as to avoid Hindi imposition in the state.

“I request the newlyweds to come up with a beautiful Tamil name for their child. Because many are attempting to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. They couldn’t do it directly. That’s why they are omitting a few words from the Tamil Thaai Vaazthu (State song). They are trying to impose Hindi via the new education policy. But they are all failing. Already someone tried to change the name of the state from Tamil Nadu. But because all across the State raised objections, he apologised. Now some are talking about omitting the word ‘Dravidam’ from Tamil Thaai Vaazthu,” Udhayanidhi Stalin said. 

“Until the last cadre of DMK is alive, until the last Tamilan is alive, none can even touch Tamil, Tamil Nadu and Dravidam. Tamil Nadu will never accept Hindi imposition…” he added.  

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday seemed to echo Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu’s appeal to have more children. While the AP CM flagged the ‘ageing population’ of the state, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin talked about couples raising ‘16 children’ as a ‘solution’ to the upcoming delimitation exercise scheduled to be held by 2026.

Stalin made headlines on Monday with his unconventional comments regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha delimitation process, which may significantly impact the state’s political representation.

During a mass wedding ceremony for 31 Hindu couples, Stalin suggested that the potential loss of Lok Sabha seats might lead some couples to consider having “16 children,” a reference to a traditional Tamil blessing related to prosperity.

He referenced the Tamil saying, “pathinarum petru peru vazhvu vazhga,” which translates to “acquire 16 kinds of wealth and lead a prosperous life.”

Stalin hitches on Family Planning to Counter Delimitation

CM Stalin elaborated on the historical context of the blessing, noting that elders traditionally wished newlyweds prosperity in various forms—not necessarily a large family.

“That blessing doesn’t mean beget 16 children… now a situation has arisen where people think they should literally raise 16 children and not a small and prosperous family,” he remarked.

This statement comes as Tamil Nadu, along with other southern states, faces potential changes to its parliamentary representation due to the delimitation exercise set for 2026.

With concerns that the state’s Lok Sabha share may increase only marginally from 39 to 41 seats, many fear a diminished political voice in the central government.

Tamil Nadu’s Delimitation Debate

Over the past few months, the looming delimitation has stirred controversy, particularly as the number of Lok Sabha seats is expected to rise from 543 to 753.

Uttar Pradesh is poised for a significant increase, jumping from 80 to 126 seats—a 57.5% surge. Among the southern states, only Karnataka could see a measurable increase – from 28 seats to 36 – in representation in the Lower House.

In contrast, Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha share will likely only inch up – from 39 to 41, a five per cent increase, and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana may be given only three extra seats each. Further, Kerala could lose one of its 20 seats.

The ruling DMK has strongly opposed the proposed changes, arguing that states that have effectively controlled population growth should not be penalized.

Chandrababu Naidu’s Population Appeal

In a related discussion, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed concerns over the state’s declining birth rate. The Andhra Pradesh CM urged women in Andhra Pradesh to bear at least two children to stabilize the population.

“South India is witnessing an aging problem,” he stated, stressing the need for women to contribute to demographic balance.

CM Naidu‘s comments have sparked a mixed reaction, with the Andhra Pradesh Congress supporting his initiative while the YSR Congress Party questioned his vision.

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NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released a weather forecast on Thursday for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
A depression over the Bay of Bengal moved towards the west-northwest and crossed the north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts near Chennai on Thursday.
It subsequently weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over South Coastal Andhra Pradesh and adjacent North Coastal Tamil Nadu.
The IMD stated that the low-pressure area persisted over the same region at 0830 IST, with an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. The forecast indicated that it would continue to move west-northwest and weaken further into a low-pressure area within the next six hours.
A cyclonic circulation was also reported over north Lakshadweep and the nearby region at 5.8 km above mean sea level.
From Thursday to Sunday, light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning is expected in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal. On Friday, heavy rain is likely in isolated places in Vellore, Tirupattur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, and Erode districts. Similar weather conditions are forecasted for other districts including Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Ranipet, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, and others on Sunday.
The IMD also issued alerts for heavy rainfall in Ghat areas of Coimbatore and Tiruppur and several other districts on Monday.
For the next 24 hours, the sky is expected to be partly cloudy, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms likely in some areas. The maximum temperature is predicted to be between 33-34°C, with a minimum temperature of 25-26°C. This weather pattern is expected to continue for the next 48 hours, according to IMD.

CHENNAI: Students of a private university in Sri Lanka and city-based space start-up SpaceKidz India have entered into a collaboration to develop a communication satellite, which is expected to be launched by space agency Isro next year, officials said on Thursday. For the mission, Jaffna-based Northern Uni promoted by its founder-Chairman Indira Kumar Pathmanathan exchanged documents with SpaceKidz India Founder-CEO Srimathy Kesan at an event here.
The collaboration would provide an opportunity for the students of Northern Uni, government schools in Jaffna, along with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu to jointly design, develop and launch a communication satellite.
The satellite would carry sophisticated instruments aimed at studying the space atmosphere and demonstrating cutting-edge communication technologies, Pathmanathan said.
“The project will also mark the first student-led satellite project and government school students of Jaffna, ” he told reporters. It would also offer students first-hand exposure to satellite technology and also the chance to participate in groundbreaking research that has the potential to contribute innovative solutions to global challenges.
“The initiative will equip students with essential skills in satellite development, data analysis, and communication technologies preparing them for future careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)fields,” he said.
SpaceKidz India founder-CEO Srimathy Kesan said, “It is a great day for students of both India and Sri Lanka to be able to collaborate on science and technology. It is an opportunity for the students to develop their skills in STEM.”
Recalling an interaction with Indira Kumar Pathmanathan, Srimathy Kesan said he told her that not many students hailing from Jaffna get access to education.
“These students have witnessed war. But, they did not have any access to education. Only about 4,500 students of the total 22,000 students (from Jaffna) have access,” she said and this encouraged Pathmanathan to provide them the opportunity to study science and technology.
According to Northern Uni officials, two campus ambassadors — Meenakshi Sundaram and Kasthury Natharuban currently pursuing their graduation in science and technology — would be involved in educating the students at the University on the space exploration programme.
IN-SPACe Ahmedabad Director Prafulla Kumar Jain who was present on the occasion said international cooperation is required while studying about space and today’s MoU (between Northern Uni and SpaceKidz India) s is a real international collaboration as space does not have any boundaries.
“SpaceKidz have been involved in the Indian space programme with their maiden Kalamsat-V2 successfully launch (in 2019)”, he said.
The student payload Kalamsat-V2 used in the fourth stage of the PSLV-C44 mission was successfully placed into designated orbit in January, 2019.
Later responding to a query, Srimathy Kesan said it would take at least a year for developing the communication satellite. “We have signed the MoU today. We will submit our proposal to Isro. The Mission launch may take place between October-December 2025”, she said.
The Mission comprises two phases with Phase 1 would focus on training the students in space and technology. About 50 school students from Sri Lanka, 10 school students from Tamil Nadu would undergo comprehensive training. This phase has been designated to give participants a foundational understanding of satellite development and space missions.
The second phase would involve 30 college students from Sri Lanka who would be directly engaged in building, integrating and preparing the satellite ahead of the mission launch, they said.

A Bangladeshi national, who entered India three years ago after the murder of his relative, was arrested in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruppur during a crackdown on illegal immigrants, police said on Thursday.

The 29-year-old accused, Tanveer Ahmed, was taken into custody while police were investigating Bangladeshi citizens illegally residing in the Vangamedu area, acting on a tip-off from six people arrested earlier.

During questioning, he was unable to provide clear answers, leading to suspicion, officials said.

He was then taken to the police station for further interrogation, where officers discovered that Tanveer was holding an Aadhaar card with a local address.

Tanveer further revealed that he is a Bangladeshi citizen and had entered India with his wife Sohasim after being involved in the murder of his uncle in Bangladesh three years ago. The couple had been staying in the neighbouring Erode district.

Seven months ago, Tanveer moved to Vangamedu with the help of his friend Mammul.

Based on Tanveer’s confession, police arrested his wife, his friend, and a local resident named Marimuthu, who had helped the three obtain Aadhaar cards with an Indian address for Rs 6,000.

Further investigation is underway, officials added.