As Tamil Nadu gears up for assembly elections, this India Today ground report from Kanyakumari tracks the pulse of people in the district. The region witnesses a direct contest between national parties, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress vying for dominance across six constituencies. The report highlights the intense battle in the Vilavancode constituency, where the current BJP candidate, who recently switched from the Congress, faces a strong challenge. Additionally, the entry of a new political party led by a prominent actor has introduced a fresh dynamic, particularly among young voters, though local experts debate its overall impact on the minority vote bank. Voters express mixed sentiments, with some favouring established Dravidian parties for stability and others seeking political change. The district's nearly equal demographic split between Hindu and Christian populations remains a crucial factor as candidates navigate local issues, including the long-standing demands of the fishing community for better infrastructure and central government support.
In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay’s TVK faces a political standoff as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar demands proof of a 118-seat majority before government formation.
For fifteen years, residents Bota village in Jamshedpur have relied on stream water, digging small pits to filter water, receiving only one pot per household despite repeated pleas.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, former Solicitor General Harish Salve discusses the role of the state governor regarding government formation after the recent assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Senior Congress leader and eminent jurist Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticised the Tamil Nadu Governor for delaying the government formation process. He said the Governor has no option but to invite the single largest party to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the assembly.
