Edappadi K. Palaniswami was never projected as a natural successor in Tamil Nadu politics. For long, he remained a quiet organiser within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), working behind the scenes. That changed after the death of J. Jayalalithaa in 2016, when the party slipped into a phase of uncertainty.
At 72, Palaniswami’s rise reflects persistence more than projection. In 2017, he took over as Chief Minister at a time when the AIADMK was split and under pressure. Many expected his stint to be brief. Instead, he steadied the government, dealt with internal power struggles and gradually strengthened his position within the party.
His politics has stayed grounded. He does not rely on big rhetoric or dramatic messaging. Instead, he has built his strength through organisation and his base in the Kongu region. His tenure as Chief Minister is often linked to infrastructure push and administrative delivery, particularly in western Tamil Nadu.
Today, as General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Palaniswami holds clear control over the party. He contested from Edappadi in Salem in the 2026 Assembly polls, a seat he has been holding since 2011, continues to enjoy a strong local backing.
Heading into the 2026 elections, he is leading the AIADMK alliance at a time when the party is trying to regain lost ground. Palaniswami may not fit the mould of a traditional mass leader, but he has shown he can hold the party together. And that, for now, defines his political relevance.
Actor Prakash Raj has questioned the election defeat of MK Stalin, seeking a probe into whether the DMK leader genuinely lost or was made to lose. Prakash Raj raised doubts regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, claiming that it could result in the removal of nearly 16 crore votes due to absent or not-at-home markings. He also opposed delimitation, terming it a betrayal of Tamil Nadu and stating he would oppose any party supporting it. Commenting on Chief Minister Vijay, Prakash Raj noted that people have chosen him in a democracy and should give him time. Meanwhile, AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami launched a sharp attack on Tamil Nadu minister Adhevarajana. EPS accused Adhevarajana of switching allegiances across parties, including DMK, VCK, and TVK, alleging he previously sought an AIADMK Deputy General Secretary post. EPS maintained that AIADMK does not sell posts and asserted his own massive victory margin in Edappadi.
This special news broadcast reports on major political and civic developments across the country. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Vijay announced the withdrawal of protest-related cases filed against farmers and teachers between May 2021 and April 2026, including agitations concerning the Sipcot and Parandur airport projects, as discussions continue over Thamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam positioning Vijay as a Prime Ministerial candidate for 2029 amid friction with the Congress, DMK, BJP, and AIADMK. In Ayodhya, former Air Marshal Jitendra Mishra has been appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. In Kerala, remarks by cleric Kanthapuram A. P. Abu Bakar Musliyar regarding women in public spaces drew political condemnation. In Telangana, BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over interstate river water sharing, while in Andhra Pradesh, an anti-malaria drive in Polavaram led to the death of a child and multiple hospitalisations.
A political debate has erupted in Tamil Nadu as leaders of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) push for Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as a Prime Minister candidate for 2029. While ally Congress asserts that Vijay backs Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial face, TVK maintains that Tamil Nadu will decide the Prime Minister in 2029. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami, have criticised and mocked the pitch. The recent India Today-C Voter Mood of the Nation poll places Vijay third in national Prime Minister preferences behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.
A political debate has erupted in Tamil Nadu following calls within the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam to project Chief Minister Vijay as the prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. While TVK leaders, ministers, and MLAs have publicly supported the pitch, key alliance partner Congress has firmly rejected the proposal, insisting that Rahul Gandhi remains the sole prime ministerial face for the INDIA bloc. Tamil Nadu Congress ministers Rajesh Kumar and Viswanathan warned that they would resign if the alliance does not back Rahul Gandhi. MDMK chief Vaiko also dismissed the pitch for Vijay, reiterating support for Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami mocked the ambition, remarking that Vijay could even aspire to become the US President. The developments follow the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation survey, which placed Vijay third in the national prime ministerial preference ratings behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.
A political controversy has emerged in Tamil Nadu regarding Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Chief Minister Vijay's potential projection as the opposition alliance's Prime Ministerial face for 2029. The pitch has encountered strong resistance from alliance partners and criticism from the opposition. AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami mocked the ambition, remarking that Vijay could even seek to become the United States President. Key allies, including the Congress and MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, rejected the proposal, maintaining that Rahul Gandhi remains the primary choice for Prime Minister for the INDIA bloc. The discussion gained traction following the India Today-CVoter Mood of the Nation poll, which ranked Vijay third in national Prime Ministerial preferences with nine per cent, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi at forty-nine per cent and Rahul Gandhi at twenty-seven per cent. The bulletin analysed factors behind his rise, including Gen Z appeal, stardom, and growing national curiosity.
A political debate has emerged over the opposition's potential prime ministerial candidate for the 2029 elections, comparing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay. While Rahul Gandhi holds pan-India political experience, recognition as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the backing of a national organizational network, he contends with state-level factionalism and a lack of consensus within the INDIA bloc. Meanwhile, actor-turned-politician Vijay offers strong personal popularity, youth connect, and a fresh anti-establishment image, but faces hurdles such as an untested national profile, limited administrative experience, and lack of presence outside Tamil Nadu. The pitch to project Vijay as a prime ministerial contender has sparked opposition pushback and resistance from allies. Tamil Nadu Congress ministers have stated that the INDIA bloc's candidate must be Rahul Gandhi, warning they could resign if TVK does not support him. According to the India Today-C Voter Mood of the Nation poll, Vijay ranked third in national prime ministerial preferences behind Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.
The top focus of this episode of Super 6 is on the showdown over poaching politics in Tamil Nadu. In Tamil Nadu, TVK, DMK and the AIADMK – they are all pointing fingers at each other stating the other is poaching their MLAs.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is likely to expand his cabinet later this week. The list of ministers is currently being finalised and is yet to reach the Governor for approval. Once the Governor gives the nod, the new ministers will be sworn in.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Wednesday won the crucial floor test in the state assembly with the support of 144 MLAs.
The Tamil Nadu government faces political turbulence as Chief Minister Vijay appoints a personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty, drawing criticism over administrative credentials. Ahead of a crucial assembly floor test, thirty rebel AIADMK MLAs led by S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugham have pledged support to the TVK-led government, officially severing ties with the BJP. During the session, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated his controversial stance on Sanatana Dharma. Administratively, the state announced the closure of seven hundred liquor shops near schools and temples, alongside new bans on political hoardings and the creation of women's safety task forces. In Kerala, a leadership struggle for the Chief Minister post has emerged between K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan following the UDF election victory. Meanwhile, in Telangana, a POCSO case was filed against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bandi Sai Bhagirath. The broadcast also confirmed the return of actor Mohanlal for the third installment of the Drishyam film franchise.
The big focus of this episode 5 Live is on the political standoff in Tamil Nadu, where Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has paused the swearing-in of TVK chief Vijay asking to return only after securing signatures of 118 MLAs to prove majority support.
This episode of News Today examines the escalating West Asia conflict as Donald Trump’s 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz approaches.
In Tamil Nadu, former three-time Chief Minister O Panneerselvam joined the DMK ahead of the upcoming assembly election, following his 2022 expulsion from the AIADMK.
Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has joined the DMK ahead of the state elections, marking a significant political shift.
This broadcast covers significant national developments, including the showdown over Kerala Story 2, Union Cabinet's approval to rename Kerala to 'Keralam' to reflect its linguistic roots and much more.
A 37-year-old man named Suraj from Maharashtra died during a Tamilar Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally led by actor-turned-politician Vijay in Salem, Tamil Nadu, sparking a political row.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) projected a victory of 210 seats for the AIADMK-led alliance in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Speaking at the India Today Tamil Nadu Roundtable, Felix Gerald, Spokesperson, TVK, Kovai Sathyan, Spokesperson, AIADMK, Salem Dharanidharan, Spokesperson, DMK, Vinoj P Selvam, Spokesperson, BJP, share their perspective on this and more.
As Tamil Nadu gears up for the assembly election, India's top political team shares their perspective on who has the edge, what are the X-factors and the issues that matter to the people of the state.
On this Special Report, Nagarjun Dwarakanath anchors the 'SoSouth' bulletin, focusing on the intensifying political heat in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Dwarakanath highlights the dramatic overnight protest by BJP and JDS MLAs inside Vidhan Soudha, where they demanded the resignation of Excise Minister R.B. Timmapur over alleged corruption. The anchor notes, 'A political storm is brewing in Karnataka,' as the opposition accuses the Congress government of financial misconduct. The programme also covers the ruckus in the Karnataka Assembly involving Congress MLA Shivlinge Gowda and the evolving political dynamics in Tamil Nadu. In Chennai, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) has released a ten-point election manifesto while simultaneously slamming actor-politician Vijay of the TVK for his lack of political experience. The report further explores the potential alliance shifts between the Congress, DMK, and TVK as the state moves closer to elections. Journalists Pramod Madhav, Sagai Raj, and Anagha Keshav provide ground updates on these developing stories across the southern states.
