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Stalin's Vellore Tea Stop & SRK Appu Rematch Heat Up Tamil Nadu Polls

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore, including a tea stop at a local shop, ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections. The Vellore seat features a rematch between DMK's sitting MLA P Karthikeyan and AIADMK's SRK Appu, with Muslim community votes seen as key. Stalin accused the BJP of raising the delimitation issue to divert attention from problems like LPG shortages and the rupee's depreciation. He also announced a welfare scheme offering women an Rs 8,000 coupon for appliances as the state heads for a three-way contest involving the DMK alliance, the AIADMK-led NDA, and actor Vijay's TVK.

Key Points: Tamil Nadu Polls: Stalin Campaigns in Vellore, Key Rematch Ahead

  • Stalin's grassroots campaign in Vellore
  • Karthikeyan vs SRK Appu rematch from 2021
  • BJP accused of using delimitation to divert attention
  • New Rs 8,000 coupon scheme for women voters
3 min read

Tamil Nadu polls: CM Stalin conducts door-to-door campaign in Vellore as Karthikeyan-SRK Appu gear up for rematch

CM Stalin door-to-door in Vellore as DMK's Karthikeyan faces AIADMK's SRK Appu in a rematch. Stalin vows to defeat "Delhi team," announces women's welfare scheme.

"In the 2026 democratic war, I have come so that we shall defeat the Delhi team and make the Tamil Nadu team win. - MK Stalin"

Vellore, April 14

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Kolathur, MK Stalin, on Tuesday conducted a door-to-door campaign in Vellore ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections.

During his campaign, he was spotted drinking tea at a local shop and interacting with people in the city known as the Fort city of Tamil Nadu.

The DMK has fielded sitting MLA P Karthikeyan in the Vellore seat, in a rematch against All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)'s SRK Appu.

In the 2021 elections, Karthikeyan had defeated Appu with a margin of 9,181 votes (5.1 per cent). Votes of the Muslim community will be key as there was a 24.28 per cent Muslim population in Vellore city, according to the 2011 census.

Earlier on Monday, MK Stalin asserted that the DMK would defeat the NDA alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections, vowing that the "Tamil Nadu team" would prevail over the "Delhi team."

Addressing a public meeting in Ranipet district as part of his election campaign, Stalin alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was raising the issue of delimitation to divert attention from pressing concerns such as LPG shortages and the depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar.

"In the 2026 democratic war, I have come so that we shall defeat the Delhi team and make the Tamil Nadu team win. BJP is now taking the delimitation in hand. People are facing trouble without gas, and the Indian rupee has gone high against the dollar. So, to divert attention, the BJP is trying to take the delimitation issue now. This delimitation is the biggest in Indian history. If they are hiding it and trying to implement it, then surely they are against Tamil Nadu," Stalin said.

Describing the party's election manifesto as a "superstar," the DMK president also announced a welfare scheme aimed at women voters ahead of the State Assembly elections. Under the proposed initiative, the party plans to provide an Rs 8,000 coupon to women, which can be utilised to purchase new home appliances or exchange existing ones.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.

Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party TVK, which could turn the contest into a three-way fight.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting to see the focus on Vellore. With a significant Muslim population, their votes will indeed be crucial. Karthikeyan vs Appu rematch adds a local flavour to the larger state narrative. Hope development remains the core issue, not just identity politics.
S
Siddharth J
The "Tamil Nadu team vs Delhi team" rhetoric is getting old. Both state and central governments need to work together for the people. Also, raising the delimitation issue now does seem like a political diversion from real problems like LPG prices.
A
Anjali F
As a woman voter, the appliance coupon sounds beneficial on paper. But what about job creation and controlling inflation? We need sustainable solutions, not just one-time sops before every election. The focus should be on the economy.
K
Karthik V
With Vijay's TVK entering the fray, it could really split votes and make predictions difficult. Tamil Nadu politics is never dull! Hoping for a peaceful election and a government that works for all sections of society.
M
Michael C
Following Indian state elections from abroad. The local dynamics in Vellore are fascinating. The margin was close last time (5.1%). Door-to-door campaigning in this heat shows dedication. Will be watching the results closely on May 4th.

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