Chennai: After months of intense and aggressive campaigning, voting commenced across Tamil Nadu on Thursday, setting the stage for a crucial electoral contest that could reshape the state's political landscape.
The key contenders for power are the ruling DMK and main opposition AIADMK, while actor-politician Vijay-led TVK and Tamil nationalist Seeman-led NTK are putting up a determined fight.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, veteran Congress leader P Chidambaram, former Telangana governor and BJP candidate Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan and NTK top leader Seeman were among the early voters and they cast their votes in Salem, Sivaganga and Chennai respectively.
Actor Rajinikanth cast his votes at Stella Maris College here. Also, actor-politician and TVK founder Vijay cast his vote at the Vels International School.
Union Minister L Murugan stood in a serpentine queue and cast his vote in Chennai. Similarly, BJP leader Kushbu, along with her filmmaker husband Sundar C, voted in the city. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik voted at Virugambakkam, which falls under the Maduravoyal Assembly constituency.
All 234 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and 152 of the total 294 constituencies in West Bengal are going to the polls today.
Among the celebrity voters, actor S Ajith Kumar casts his vote at the polling station in Thiruvanmiyur. MNM chief and actor Kamal Haasan, along with his daughter Shruti Haasan, cast their votes at Alwarpet School in Chennai.
Meanwhile, P. Chidambaram cast his vote at Chittal Aachi Memorial High School in Kandanur near Karaikudi.
After casting his vote, he said, "Across Tamil Nadu, the expectations that are resonating are threefold: the need for a stable government, growth, and welfare schemes for the people. I am confident that the DMK government, which has delivered on these three, will be formed, and that the Secular Progressive Alliance will be in power for another five years..."
Naam Taamil Katchi (NTK) chief coordinator Senthamilan Seeman cast his vote at a polling station in Neelankarai in Chennai.
Seeman is contesting elections from the Karaikudi constituency, which has been held by Congress since 2016. Seeman is going against sitting MLA S Mangudi and AMMK's Therpoki V Pandi. The NTK leader appealed to voters to vote for change.
The state is poised for a multi-cornered contest as traditional Dravidian parties face a significant challenge from the rising influence of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, testing their historical grip on the region.
Over 5.67 crore voters will decide the fate of 234 constituencies on April 23, with the final verdict arriving on May 4. Polling will take place from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm across the state.
The political landscape remains charged with anticipation over whether the DMK's "Rising Sun" will continue its rule or if the AIADMK's "Two Leaves" will regain its footing, or a cinematic "TVK" entry will switch up the political balance.
Polling preparations are in full swing as anticipated voter turnout is expected to exceed usual levels. For election duty, 1,20,000 police personnel and 3,40,000 government staff have been deployed.
The state's electorate comprises over 5.73 crore voters, featuring 2,93,04,905 female voters, 2,80,30,658 male voters, and 7,728 third-gender voters. The poll body is also catering to 14,59,039 first-time voters and 68,501 service voters, with 4,18,541 postal votes already received, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik said.
Furthermore, 62 counting centres have already been established to ensure a smooth process after the high-stakes voting concludes.
Security has been further intensified in several districts, including Karur, where authorities have identified sensitive and vulnerable polling booths. A multi-layered security arrangement has been put in place, involving local police, central armed forces, and flying squads.
The electoral arena is currently dominated by the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, where Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin are campaigning on a platform of "Dravidian Model" governance and welfare delivery, supported by long-time allies like the Congress and VCK.