TVK, Cong, other INDIA Bloc constituents to stage mega protest to demand CEC's ouster

Chennai: The ruling TVK, its key ally Congress party, and other constituents of the INDIA Bloc in Tamil Nadu will hit the streets here on Thursday to condemn the "murder of democracy" and demand the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar from office.

The "protect democracy" agitation will be led by its President B Manickam Tagore, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee said, adding that, besides its functionaries, the leaders of the INDIA bloc will take part.

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After it became a part of the INDIA bloc on October 3, 2026, this will be the first time the TVK will be part of the agitation seeking the Chief Election Commissioner's removal from office.

Days ago, Tagore had said that the expansion of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu with the entry of TVK will significantly strengthen the anti-BJP front.

Tagore had described the day the TVK joined the INDIA bloc as "historic" for opposition consolidation. Also, on that occasion, he had announced that a major demonstration, in which top leaders from all seven constituent parties of the INDIA bloc from Tamil Nadu will take part on October 15 on the SIR-CEC issue.

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TVK leader and Minister for School Education A Rajmohan, President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and MP, Thol Thirumavalavan, General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Vaiko, will participate in the protest, the TNCC said in a party release.

Indian Union Muslim League chief KM Kader Mohideen, State Secretaries of CPI (M) and CPI P Shanmugam, and M Veerapandian, State Secretary of the CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Pala Asaithamby, will also be part of the protest, the Congress party, which leads the INDIA bloc at the national level, said.

AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, Nivedit Alva, will be among the office-bearers who will be present, the party added.

The participation of TVK in the protest comes against the background of strong criticism by the DMK targeting the ruling party for allegedly not speaking up against the CEC. Also, the DMK had alleged "police excess" in the state, targeting protestors who opposed the SIR.

DMK President M K Stalin on October 2 slammed TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for not speaking up on the SIR-CEC issue and demanded to know if the TVK founder was afraid of the BJP.

Addressing a rally, Stalin said that parties that extended support to the TVK regime themselves were demanding to know why Vijay has not spoken on the SIR-CEC row.

"What is your fear, CM sir? What is the fear? If you cannot open your mouth even on an issue on which all leaders across the country are speaking, what is the reason behind it? CM sir, are you afraid of the BJP so much," the former chief minister asked.

The demonstration will be held on October 15 by 10 am at Ramada Circle (Langs Garden Road), in downtown Egmore here.