April 22, 2026

In Mirpur village in WB’s East Midnapore, SIR has not been unpleasant, with only two of 824 voters struck off (a Hindu & a Muslim) a marked deviation from elsewhere in WB. Residents with surnames like Nunes, Rozario and D’Cruz trace their roots to Portuguese mercenaries who settled here after 1742. Today, Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate Eid, Puja & Christmas together.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your riskExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better moodWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Vamsikrishna01 mins mins
In Mirpur village in WB’s East Midnapore, SIR has not been unpleasant, with only two of 824 voters struck off (a Hindu & a Muslim) a marked deviation from elsewhere in WB. Residents with surnames like Nunes, Rozario and D’Cruz trace their roots to Portuguese mercenaries who settled here after 1742. Today, Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate Eid, Puja & Christmas together.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your riskExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better moodWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate marketsAnimals in India that can fly — and they’re not birds: Where to find them123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price


Poll vault: Portuguese village in WB sees minimal SIR impact

In Mirpur village in WB’s East Midnapore, SIR has not been unpleasant, with only two of 824 voters struck off (a Hindu & a Muslim) a marked deviation from elsewhere in WB. Residents with surnames like Nunes, Rozario and D’Cruz trace their roots to Portuguese mercenaries who settled here after 1742. Today, Christians, Hindus and Muslims celebrate Eid, Puja & Christmas together.



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– LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court on Tuesday held that a second maternity leave cannot be denied merely because it is sought within two years of the first, observing that statutory rights under the law override provisions of the financial handbook. The order was passed by Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar of the high court’s Lucknow bench while hearing a petition by Manisha Yadav, who had challenged an April 4, 2026 order rejecting her request for a second maternity leave. The petitioner argued that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is a beneficial legislation and its provisions must take precedence. The state government, however, relied on Rule 153(1) of the financial handbook to contend that a minimum gap of two years between two maternity leaves is mandatory. Referring to earlier rulings, the high court said that the Maternity Benefit Act, being a law enacted by Parliament, would prevail over any executive instructions or provisions in the financial handbook. In case of inconsistency, the provisions of the Act would have an overriding effect. The court noted that the petitioner had her first child in 2021 and had applied for a second maternity leave in 2022, which was rejected on untenable grounds. Setting aside the impugned order, the court directed the competent authority to grant her maternity leave from April 6, 2026, to October 2, 2026.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Amphibious Combat Power in Bhuj; Creek Area Dominance on DisplayPahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary: Family Recalls Heroism Of Adil ShahAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam Anniversary123PhotostoriesAnimals that sleep the least and how they survive on minimal restHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

– LUCKNOW: The Allahabad high court on Tuesday held that a second maternity leave cannot be denied merely because it is sought within two years of the first, observing that statutory rights under the law override provisions of the financial handbook. The order was passed by Justice Karunesh Singh Pawar of the high court’s Lucknow bench while hearing a petition by Manisha Yadav, who had challenged an April 4, 2026 order rejecting her request for a second maternity leave. The petitioner argued that the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 is a beneficial legislation and its provisions must take precedence. The state government, however, relied on Rule 153(1) of the financial handbook to contend that a minimum gap of two years between two maternity leaves is mandatory. Referring to earlier rulings, the high court said that the Maternity Benefit Act, being a law enacted by Parliament, would prevail over any executive instructions or provisions in the financial handbook. In case of inconsistency, the provisions of the Act would have an overriding effect. The court noted that the petitioner had her first child in 2021 and had applied for a second maternity leave in 2022, which was rejected on untenable grounds. Setting aside the impugned order, the court directed the competent authority to grant her maternity leave from April 6, 2026, to October 2, 2026.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Amphibious Combat Power in Bhuj; Creek Area Dominance on DisplayPahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary: Family Recalls Heroism Of Adil ShahAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam Anniversary123PhotostoriesAnimals that sleep the least and how they survive on minimal restHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Vamsikrishna 0
Image: IANS NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid his tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack on the first anniversary of the incident.In a social media post on X, said that India “will never forget” their sacrifice and “will never forgive” those responsible.”The memory of those innocent lives brutally snatched away still shakes our hearts today. The grief of the martyrs’ families is the grief of us all. The martyrdom of those sons of the nation will forever remain etched indelibly in the soul of India. The entire country has been, is, and will always remain united against terrorism and violence,” Rahul Gandhi said through a post on X.”India will never bow before the forces that spread hatred and fear – we shall stand against them with even greater strength, unity, and resolve,” he added.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims and said, “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.”He added, “As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”Also read: PM Modi pays tribute to Pahalgam victims on first anniversaryThe Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out a deadly attack in Pahalgam on this day last year, killing 26 people, most of them tourists from across India.In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, carrying out strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Indian armed forces targeted multiple launchpads linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, which significantly degraded their operational capabilities.The operation prompted retaliatory measures from Pakistan, including drone incursions and cross-border shelling, triggering a brief but intense four-day military escalation. Indian forces responded with precision strikes, reportedly hitting key radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala.Hostilities subsided on May 10, when both sides agreed to a ceasefire following communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Amphibious Combat Power in Bhuj; Creek Area Dominance on DisplayPahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary: Family Recalls Heroism Of Adil ShahAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam Anniversary123PhotostoriesAnimals that sleep the least and how they survive on minimal restHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Image: IANS NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday paid his tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack on the first anniversary of the incident.In a social media post on X, said that India “will never forget” their sacrifice and “will never forgive” those responsible.”The memory of those innocent lives brutally snatched away still shakes our hearts today. The grief of the martyrs’ families is the grief of us all. The martyrdom of those sons of the nation will forever remain etched indelibly in the soul of India. The entire country has been, is, and will always remain united against terrorism and violence,” Rahul Gandhi said through a post on X.”India will never bow before the forces that spread hatred and fear – we shall stand against them with even greater strength, unity, and resolve,” he added.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims and said, “Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.”He added, “As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.”Also read: PM Modi pays tribute to Pahalgam victims on first anniversaryThe Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out a deadly attack in Pahalgam on this day last year, killing 26 people, most of them tourists from across India.In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, carrying out strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Indian armed forces targeted multiple launchpads linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, which significantly degraded their operational capabilities.The operation prompted retaliatory measures from Pakistan, including drone incursions and cross-border shelling, triggering a brief but intense four-day military escalation. Indian forces responded with precision strikes, reportedly hitting key radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala.Hostilities subsided on May 10, when both sides agreed to a ceasefire following communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndian Army Showcases Amphibious Combat Power in Bhuj; Creek Area Dominance on DisplayPahalgam Terror Attack Anniversary: Family Recalls Heroism Of Adil ShahAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam Anniversary123PhotostoriesAnimals that sleep the least and how they survive on minimal restHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling for123Hot PicksBengal Election 2026Rahul gandhi rallyPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Vamsikrishna 0
. At Palani Chettipatti, a panchayat town in Theni district, the early morning quiet is broken by drumbeats and the blare of DMK propaganda songs. Scores of men and women gather on the main road, holding up posters of chief minister M K Stalin and O Panneerselvam, or OPS, his new party associate.For OPS, a three-time CM, it’s a defiant shift in party allegiance — one that he took after ADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami stonewalled his repeated attempts to get back to the party. In the contest this time as DMK’s Bodinayakkanur candidate, he gets out of his car and carefully climbs to a tempo van that has been repurposed as a campaign vehicle. His three-vehicle convoy weaves through a paid — yet enthusiastic — crowd as he greets them with folded hands. In his pocket, where J Jayalalithaa’s photograph once rested, is now a profile of Stalin. The picture on his car dashboard has also flipped.“Stalin will come back as CM. The Dravidian model of governance will be back,” he says, to claps and cheers. He looks up at the dangerously hanging electric cables — and promises he would get them reinstalled.“Raise your hands if you will vote for OPS,” cries a partyman. Most people do as directed, and Panneerselvam looks pleased. A local resident, Visithra, 27, lifts her hand and her toddler’s, too. “TVK has not come campaigning here yet,” she says. “But I am not sure if my family, which always votes for ADMK, will vote for DMK.”Panneerselvam has recorded easy victories in Bodi thrice as an ADMK candidate. But this election may not be a cakewalk. ADMK candidate V T Narayanaswamy is a tough opponent. And OPS’s rivals are accusing him of betraying ‘Amma (J Jayalalithaa)’.The talk in tea shops and street corners reveal a mix of support, scepticism, and cautious optimism. Some voters admire OPS’s past heft and see his move to join DMK as driven by compulsions. Others question whether loyalty to Amma can be “so easily set aside”. The office in his bungalow in Subburaj Nagar in Bodi sports three framed pictures: of Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and a smaller Jayalalithaa portrait hanging by the side.Panneerselvam’s dramatic change of allegiance marks not just a personal turning point, but a controversial ideological re-positioning. Long identified with ADMK founder MGR’s legacy and Jayalalithaa’s persona, Panneerselvam now aligns with DMK’s Dravidian framework that emphasises social justice, rationalism, and development.“His switching sides is a result of political necessity,” says Mohammed Ali, a resident of Four Cross Road.Bodinayakkanur has long been an ADMK bastion. The constituency’s political identity has been shaped by deep-rooted loyalties, particularly among the dominant mukkulator community, which has historically leaned towards ADMK. In Tamil Nadu, party affiliations are not merely a matter of strategy; it is intertwined with community and loyalty.For DMK, fielding Panneerselvam in Bodi signals an intent to breach an ADMK stronghold. His campaign blends personal outreach with narratives of good governance and development under Stalin’s leadership.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

. At Palani Chettipatti, a panchayat town in Theni district, the early morning quiet is broken by drumbeats and the blare of DMK propaganda songs. Scores of men and women gather on the main road, holding up posters of chief minister M K Stalin and O Panneerselvam, or OPS, his new party associate.For OPS, a three-time CM, it’s a defiant shift in party allegiance — one that he took after ADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami stonewalled his repeated attempts to get back to the party. In the contest this time as DMK’s Bodinayakkanur candidate, he gets out of his car and carefully climbs to a tempo van that has been repurposed as a campaign vehicle. His three-vehicle convoy weaves through a paid — yet enthusiastic — crowd as he greets them with folded hands. In his pocket, where J Jayalalithaa’s photograph once rested, is now a profile of Stalin. The picture on his car dashboard has also flipped.“Stalin will come back as CM. The Dravidian model of governance will be back,” he says, to claps and cheers. He looks up at the dangerously hanging electric cables — and promises he would get them reinstalled.“Raise your hands if you will vote for OPS,” cries a partyman. Most people do as directed, and Panneerselvam looks pleased. A local resident, Visithra, 27, lifts her hand and her toddler’s, too. “TVK has not come campaigning here yet,” she says. “But I am not sure if my family, which always votes for ADMK, will vote for DMK.”Panneerselvam has recorded easy victories in Bodi thrice as an ADMK candidate. But this election may not be a cakewalk. ADMK candidate V T Narayanaswamy is a tough opponent. And OPS’s rivals are accusing him of betraying ‘Amma (J Jayalalithaa)’.The talk in tea shops and street corners reveal a mix of support, scepticism, and cautious optimism. Some voters admire OPS’s past heft and see his move to join DMK as driven by compulsions. Others question whether loyalty to Amma can be “so easily set aside”. The office in his bungalow in Subburaj Nagar in Bodi sports three framed pictures: of Stalin, Udhayanidhi Stalin, and a smaller Jayalalithaa portrait hanging by the side.Panneerselvam’s dramatic change of allegiance marks not just a personal turning point, but a controversial ideological re-positioning. Long identified with ADMK founder MGR’s legacy and Jayalalithaa’s persona, Panneerselvam now aligns with DMK’s Dravidian framework that emphasises social justice, rationalism, and development.“His switching sides is a result of political necessity,” says Mohammed Ali, a resident of Four Cross Road.Bodinayakkanur has long been an ADMK bastion. The constituency’s political identity has been shaped by deep-rooted loyalties, particularly among the dominant mukkulator community, which has historically leaned towards ADMK. In Tamil Nadu, party affiliations are not merely a matter of strategy; it is intertwined with community and loyalty.For DMK, fielding Panneerselvam in Bodi signals an intent to breach an ADMK stronghold. His campaign blends personal outreach with narratives of good governance and development under Stalin’s leadership.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-Style Paneer Do Pyaza at home5 ways to blend heritage elements into modern homesThings in your home you should probably get rid of5 signs your parenting is working even when it doesn’t feel like itThings you should be cleaning more often than you thinkThink cancer is mostly genetic? Doctors say 90% is linked to lifestyle: Here’s how to lower your risk6 simple yet beautiful three-letter baby boy namesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price

Vamsikrishna 0