Vijay's TVK and Congress Lead Massive Chennai Protest
Actor Vijay's TVK joins Congress and INDIA bloc for a major Chennai protest against the CEC over alleged electoral irregularities.
In a significant political escalation, actor-turned-politician Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has joined forces with the Congress and other INDIA bloc members to launch a massive demonstration in Chennai. The protest, aimed at the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, is scheduled for October 15, 2026.
The demonstration is set to commence at 10:00 AM at the Ramada Circle on Langs Garden Road in Egmore. This marks a historic moment for TVK, as it represents the party's first major protest since officially aligning with the INDIA bloc on October 3, 2026.
The 'Save Democracy' Movement
Dubbed the 'Save Democracy' movement, the protest is fueled by intense allegations of electoral misconduct. The opposition coalition is demanding the immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of undermining democratic processes and constitutional integrity. At the heart of the fury is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which opposition leaders have slammed as a calculated mechanism for "vote theft."
Congress MP B. Manickam Tagore is expected to spearhead the protest. The movement will see a united front from various alliance partners, including:
- VCK
- MDMK
- CPIM
- IUML
- CPI
- CPI(ML)
Legal Battle Over Voter Rolls
The unrest follows a high-stakes legal challenge initiated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. In a petition filed before the Supreme Court, Gandhi challenged the legality of the SIR process, specifically citing the mass deletion of names from electoral rolls. The petition demands that the decision to conduct the revision be invalidated entirely.
The Supreme Court has responded by issuing a notice to the Election Commission. Furthermore, the court has ordered that voters flagged under the 'logical discrepancy' category be publicly disclosed through local government offices to ensure transparency.
Despite these allegations, the Election Commission has maintained its stance. Sources within the commission stated on September 23, 2026, that all decisions regarding the SIR were reached through a unanimous vote by the full commission.
Tensions Rise in Tamil Nadu Politics
While the INDIA bloc unites against the CEC, the political fabric of Tamil Nadu remains deeply fractured. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has taken a firm stance, distancing itself from the Congress-led protests. The DMK has accused its former allies of political betrayal.
The friction is particularly acute due to the current power dynamic: TVK currently leads the state government after securing 108 seats in the 234-member assembly during the May 2026 elections. The Congress's decision to support Vijay's party has created a significant rift, adding a layer of complex electoral maneuvering to the ongoing constitutional crisis.