Chennai: The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), its key ally Congress, and other constituents of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu will take to the streets in Chennai on Thursday to condemn what they describe as the 'murder of democracy' and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)Gyanesh Kumar from office.
The 'protect democracy' agitation will be led by Congress MP B Manickam Tagore, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) said, adding that party functionaries and INDIA bloc leaders would participate.
Since joining the INDIA bloc on October 3, 2026, this will be the first time the TVK takes part in a protest seeking the Chief Election Commissioner's removal.
Days ago, Tagore said the expansion of the INDIA bloc in Tamil Nadu with TVK's entry would significantly strengthen the anti-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) front.
Tagore described the day TVK joined the INDIA bloc as 'historic' for opposition consolidation. On that occasion, he also announced a major demonstration on October 15, with top leaders from all seven constituent parties of the alliance in Tamil Nadu set to participate in the protest over the SIR-CEC issue.
TVK leader and School Education Minister A Rajmohan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president and MP Thol Thirumavalavan, and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko will participate in the protest, the TNCC said in a party release.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chief K M Kader Mohideen, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] state secretary P Shanmugam, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary M Veerapandian and CPI(ML) state secretary Pala Asaithamby will also take part, 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 attending the demonstration, the party added.
TVK's participation comes amid strong criticism from the DMK, which has targeted the ruling party for allegedly failing to speak out against the CEC. The DMK has also alleged 'police excess' in the state against protesters opposing the SIR.
DMK president M K Stalin on October 2 criticised TVK founder and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for not speaking out on the SIR-CEC issue and questioned whether the TVK leader feared the BJP.
Addressing a rally, Stalin said parties that had extended support to the TVK government were themselves asking why Vijay had 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 at 10 a.m. on October 15 at Ramada Circle on Langs Garden Road in the Egmore area of Chennai.
