Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 372

“Going To Germany To Sign Deal With Companies That Are Already There In Chennai”: BJP TN President Nainar Nagenthiran Cooks MK Stalin

By
The Commune
-
nainar nagenthiran mk stalin

Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagenthiran has strongly criticized the recent foreign visit by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, during which the state signed investment agreements worth ₹3,200 crore with three companies in Germany. Nagenthiran argued that this trip was unnecessary and costly to taxpayers, especially since the firms involved already had a presence in Tamil Nadu.

Taking to his official X account, Nagenthiran questioned the purpose of the CM’s 10-day European tour, calling it an extravagant exercise that could have been handled locally. He claimed that agreements of this nature could have been signed without the need for international travel, possibly in just a single meeting at the Chief Minister’s office.

“What is the true purpose of the Chief Minister’s foreign trips?,” Nagenthiran wrote. “When the three companies mentioned in the agreements have already been operating in Tamil Nadu for several years, what is the need for the state’s Chief Minister to leave his work here and go abroad to stage a grand drama? Why a ten-day European trip for a task that could have been completed in a single day at the Chief Minister’s office?”

He also contrasted Tamil Nadu’s performance with other states, stating that Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis secured ₹15 lakh crore in investment during a single foreign visit, while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attracted around ₹7 lakh crore without stepping outside India, instead delegating the responsibility to his ministers. According to Nagenthiran, Tamil Nadu’s repeated international tours have only yielded ₹18,000 crore in investment, with the vast majority around 95% remaining unfulfilled on paper.

He went on to criticize what he termed the “advertising model government,” alleging that the DMK regime is more focused on publicity than on achieving tangible results. “For a state with a high GDP like Tamil Nadu, an investment of ₹3,200 crore is like a small popcorn snack to an elephant’s hunger!” he remarked.

This criticism follows the Tamil Nadu government’s announcement on 1 September 2025, that it had signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) during CM Stalin’s visit to Germany. These include:

  • Knorr-Bremse: A ₹2,000 crore investment to establish a state-of-the-art facility for manufacturing railway doors and braking systems, expected to create around 3,500 jobs.
  • Nordex Group: A ₹1,000 crore investment in wind turbine manufacturing, likely to generate 2,500 jobs.
  • ebm-papst: A ₹201 crore expansion of its global capability centre and manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu over five years, projected to create about 250 jobs in the HVAC, automotive, and industrial sectors.

TN BJP Chief’s full message read, “What is the true purpose of the Chief Minister’s foreign trips? The recent news that our Honorable Chief Minister, Mr. M.K. Stalin, signed agreements worth ₹3,200 crore with three companies in Germany is a great disappointment and raises strong suspicions. When the three companies mentioned in the agreements have already been operating in Tamil Nadu for several years, what is the need for the state’s Chief Minister to leave his work here and go abroad to stage a grand drama? Why a ten-day European trip for a task that could have been completed in a single day at the Chief Minister’s office? 

Especially for a state with a high GDP like Tamil Nadu, an investment of ₹3,200 crore is like a small popcorn snack to an elephant’s hunger! In 2024, the Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, brought in an investment of ₹15 lakh crore on a single foreign trip. Similarly, the Honorable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Yogi Adityanath, attracted investments worth about ₹7 lakh crore without even traveling abroad, sending only his ministers. In contrast, our Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has traveled around the world six times and has only attracted a meager amount of ₹18,000 crore in investments. Of these, 95% of the agreements have remained on paper to this day! So, isn’t this a fraudulent game played by the DMK in the name of investment, using public money? Will this “advertising model government” at least open its mouth now?”

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Operation Anweshan: Odisha Police Rescue 2,417 Missing Persons In Five Days

By
The Commune
-
odisha police operation anweshan missing persons

The Odisha Police has rescued as many as 2417 missing persons during a special drive, “Operation Anweshan” carried out across the state from August 18 to 22.

The five-day special drive was conducted to trace and rescue missing children and women in the state. In an official statement released on Monday, the Odisha Police revealed that the cops during the above period last month have traced and found out 358 numbers of missing children, including 33 boys and 325 girls.

The police forces also traced and rescued 2059 missing women between August 18 and 22 this year. The Puri district police performed the best by rescuing 45 children and 504 women, followed by Bhadrak district, which rescued 37 Children and 318 women.

Similarly, the Cuttack district police also found out 21 Children and 304 women during the period. “In the year 2025, apart from ‘Operation Anweshan’, separate special drives for tracing women and children were conducted in February, April, and May,” revealed Odisha Police.

As many as 6667 missing women were rescued by the cops across the state during the special drives carried out in February, April and May in 2025. The cops also tracked 1209 missing children, including 1078 girls and 131 boys, in the special drives conducted in February, April and May.

The Odisha Police informed that such special drives to trace missing persons will continue in the coming days as well. The opposition parties have been targeting the state government over missing women and girls in Odisha since the BJP assumed power in the state.

Earlier, the Indian National Congress had alleged that as many as 44,000 women and girls had gone missing in Odisha during the previous BJD government’s rule in the state between 2000 and 2024, while 20,000 others were not found during the first eight months of the BJP government.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

PMK Founder Dr Ramadoss Set To Announce Action Against Son Anbumani Tomorrow

By
The Commune
-
anbumani ramadoss s ramadoss pmk

PMK founder S. Ramadoss will announce on Wednesday the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against his son and party working president, Anbumani Ramadoss, following a stormy episode that has shaken the party’s internal unity.

After a meeting of the nine-member Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) in Thailapuram on Monday, PMK MLA and close confidant of Dr Ramadoss, R. Arul, said that all members had participated in the deliberations and that since Anbumani had failed to reply to the notice, the administrators had recorded their decision in a sealed cover.

He added that the final decision would be announced by Ramadoss on September 3 at the party’s administrative committee meeting. The confrontation between father and son came to the fore in mid-August when Ramadoss appointed his grandson Mukundan, son of Gandhimathi, as the PMK’s youth wing leader.

Anbumani opposed the move publicly, voicing his dissent on the same stage where the appointment was announced, before leaving the meeting midway. The party subsequently convened a general body meeting in Puducherry on August 17, chaired by Ramadoss, where 16 charges were framed against Anbumani.

These included operating a separate office in Panayur, Chennai, making derogatory remarks about Ramadoss on social media, and installing surveillance equipment at the Thailapuram residence. A show-cause notice asked Anbumani to reply by August 31, but no explanation was submitted.

Notices issued to three MLAs backing him also went unanswered. With the deadline having expired, the DAC met on Monday to consider whether Anbumani should be expelled from the PMK or removed from his position as working president. The panel sealed its recommendation and left the final decision to founder Ramadoss.

The announcement scheduled for Wednesday is expected to carry major implications for the PMK, a party long associated with the Ramadoss family. Political observers said that the outcome could reshape the leadership dynamics within the party as it positions itself for the 2026 Assembly elections.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Mumbai: ‘Banana Vendor’, Mohammad Ali Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, Caught With MD Drugs Worth ₹35 Lakh

By
The Commune
-
mumbai banana vendor drugs

Mumbai Police have arrested a 60-year-old man for peddling MD drugs while posing as a banana seller in Bandra. The accused, identified as Mohammad Ali Abdul Gaffar Sheikh, was caught with 153 grams of MD drugs valued at Rs 35.30 lakh, according to the officials. Mohammad Ali had been selling bananas near Bandra railway station but was simultaneously engaged in the drug trade, the officials said.

Based on a tip-off, the Crime Branch Unit 9 launched an operation after learning that he was secretly selling MD drugs under the guise of being a fruit vendor. Late on Friday night, Mohammad Ali was intercepted by officers in civil dress while moving along Maharashtranagar Road near Bandra Bus Depot. He was taken into custody for questioning, and when the police examined his handcart, they found a metal box that held a bag containing 153 grams of MD drugs.

The police stated that the confiscated drugs are estimated to be worth Rs 35.30 lakh in the global market. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and the accused was produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody until September 3, officials said.

During interrogation, Mohammad Ali revealed that he turned to the drug trade due to financial difficulties. He admitted that despite selling bananas in Bandra to make ends meet, the low income from fruit sales pushed him towards smuggling MD drugs as an alternative source of livelihood, according to the police.

Police officials are now probing the source of the drugs, the duration of his involvement in the trade, whether he had accomplices, and if he has a prior criminal record. The investigation is underway. Further details are awaited.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Ex-NSA John Bolton Slams Trump For Damaging Strategic Ties With New Delhi

By
The Commune
-
john bolton trump india us

John Bolton, the former National Security Advisor in the first Trump administration and a vocal critic of the US president, slammed the current administration’s policies toward India, accusing Trump of “shredding” decades of efforts to strengthen the partnership with New Delhi.

“Donald Trump, in the past weeks, has essentially upended that and for a variety of reasons sent India back toward Russia, to grow closer to China, and just shredding these decades of efforts to try and change that alignment,” he told Sky News in an interview on Monday.

He highlighted how, before Trump 2.0, the US had attempted to “wean India away from its Cold War attachment to the Soviet Union and China.”

“The West has spent decades, US in particular, trying to wean India away from its Cold War attachment to the Soviet Union [and] Russia, buying sophisticated weapons from them and cautioning India on the danger posed by China, symbolised by what’s called the Asian Security Quad – Japan, India, Australia and the United States,” he added.

He also recounted a series of steps from the Trump administration that “have offended the Indians,” including the abrupt derailment of trade negotiations. “The Indians thought they were in close negotiations to solve this, as Britain did with Trump, and Trump just dismissed it and set 25 per cent tariffs. Trump whacked India with another 25 per cent. (He) did not tariff Russia, did not tariff China, the largest purchaser of Russian oil and gas,” Bolton explained.

According to him, Trump’s attempt to take “full credit” for the India-Pakistan conflict in May made the situation “worse.”

“When the recent escalation between Pakistan and India over a terrorist attack in Kashmir occurred, it escalated, then came back down. Trump took full credit for it as one of the six or seven wars that he stopped this year to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, which has made India incandescent,” he noted.

Trump on Monday escalated his criticism of India’s trade practices, terming the economic relationship as “one-sided disaster.” Bolton has come under scrutiny from the current administration, with federal agents raiding his home and offices last week. The US media reports that the raid was linked to allegations that Bolton owned classified documents.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“God of Hair Cutting” And “Begged” Awards: Dravidian Model TNPSC Exam Papers Riddled With Errors, Careless Translations

By
The Commune
-

The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) is facing criticism once again over questions in the Junior Assistant Draftsman exam that contained allegedly erroneous English translations, sparking controversy among candidates and the wider public.

One question concerned Ayya Vaikundar, also known as Mudichoodum Perumal, a revered spiritual figure. In the English translation of the question paper, he was referred to as “the god of hair cutting,” which critics described as careless and disrespectful.

Another question about the People’s Health Care Scheme reportedly mistranslated the scheme’s achievements. A statement originally noting that the scheme received recognition from the United Nations in 2024 was translated as “It begged the United Nations Interagency Task Force Awards in the year 2024,” drawing further criticism.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader Annamalai condemned the errors on his social media account, saying that they reflect a lack of seriousness in preparing questions for government exams and undermine the aspirations of youth preparing for TNPSC jobs. He wrote, “It is the dream of millions of youth to crack the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) exam and get a government job. Since the DMK came to power, the government job dream of the youth of Tamil Nadu has been shattered due to many irregularities and irregularities, such as not conducting the TNPSC exams on time, not publishing the exam results properly, and due to many irregularities and irregularities. Yesterday, in the TNPSC exam held for the post of Junior Assistant Draftsman, in the English translation of the question about Ayya Vaikundar, the name of Ayya Vaikundar, known as Mudichoodu Perumal, was translated as “the god of hair cutting”. It is strongly condemned that another name of Ayya Vaikundar, who is worshipped by crores of people, was translated so carelessly and irresponsibly in the Tamil Nadu government exam. In addition, in another question, to find out the correct claims of the medical scheme by searching for people, the phrase ‘It received an award from the United Nations in 2024’ has been translated as “It Begged the United Nations award” – begging. Since DMK leaders have been claiming to have received non-existent awards for a long time, and have been misleading people by falsely claiming that everything they bought with money, such as an Austrian stamp and an Oxford photograph, is an award, it is understandable that those who prepared this question may have been confused. However, such carelessness when preparing questions for government service exams shows how much the DMK government thinks about the future of the youth of Tamil Nadu. Not all youth, like the Gopalapuram family, want to come to the top without any qualifications. The DMK government should stop humiliating the youth who work hard for government service exams.”

A Pattern of Politicization

This is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, TNPSC exams have repeatedly included politically loaded questions that critics say promote DMK’s agenda:

TNPSC Exam Paper Mirrors DMK’s Political Narrative

In August 2025, a controversy stemmed from a question in the Technical Services Examination (Non-Interview Post) held on 17 August 2025, which directly blamed the Union Government for withholding funds from Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS), a politically charged framing that aligns with the DMK’s rhetoric against the Centre. The question in the Reason and Assertion section read:

Assertion [A]: Tamil Nadu has long resisted the imposition of Hindi in government schools and hence refused to join the Prime Minister Schools for Rising India (PMSRI). Therefore, the Union Government has withheld funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS).

Reason [R]: Though the Union government acknowledged Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy, it seeks to influence subjects in the Concurrent List through the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which the Tamil Nadu government opposes as an attack on federalism.

Critics argued that the question frames the Centre as the villain while uncritically endorsing the DMK’s stance, raising concerns over whether TNPSC is functioning as an extension of the ruling party’s propaganda machinery.

“Thayumanavar” Controversy (Group 2A Exam, 2025)

A question asked which scheme made people call the Chief Minister “Thayumanavar“, with options listing DMK welfare schemes like Makkaludan Mudhalvar and School Breakfast Program.

Critics slammed it as sycophantic, arguing that exams should test governance knowledge, not propaganda.

Freedom Fighter Vilified (Group 1 Exam, July 2024)

A question labeled Vanchinathan, a Tamil freedom fighter who assassinated British official Robert Ashe, as a “first accused” in a murder case, echoing colonial-era rhetoric rather than honoring his role in the independence struggle.

UNESCO’s “Socrates of South Asia” Myth (Group 1 Exam, 2024)

A question falsely claimed E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) was certified by UNESCO as the “Socrates of South Asia”, despite UNESCO denying ever giving such a title.

The DMK has long pushed this debunked claim, and TNPSC’s inclusion of it raised eyebrows.

Selective Erasure of Caste Surnames (Group 1 Exam, 2025)

While DMK leaders like Annadurai and Periyar were mentioned without caste surnames, others including Subbarayalu Reddiar, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy were explicitly identified by caste.

This hypocrisy contradicts the DMK’s claim of abolishing caste identities, exposing its political opportunism.

The present controversy has reignited debates over the DMK’s influence on autonomous bodies, with many questioning whether Tamil Nadu’s administrative institutions are now extensions of the ruling party.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Orders Status Quo On Civil Works At Sri Kallazhagar Temple

By
The Commune
-
madurai bench of madras high court kallazhagar temple

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on 1 September 2025 issued a status quo order halting ongoing civil works at the ancient Sri Kallazhagar Temple in Azhagarkoil, Madurai. The division bench, comprising Justice Anita Sumanth and Justice Kumarappan, intervened following concerns raised over the misuse of temple funds and violation of the temple’s religiously significant open spaces.

The temple, located in a forested area, has historically preserved open spaces of religious importance. Officials from the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department had reportedly initiated extensive civil works, including plans for a new Yatri Nivas, despite the existing structure being in a state of disrepair.

Advocates representing the temple and devotees argued that these projects were unnecessary and involved excessive expenditure. The court noted that while the temple currently has approximately ₹40 crore in funds, the proposed civil works would require an additional ₹70 crore, potentially pushing the temple towards financial instability.

The final hearing in the case is scheduled for 15 September 2025.

Advocate Arun Swaminathan appeared in court representing the devotees and the temple.

The status quo order marks another instance where the Madras High Court has intervened to protect temple assets and prevent misuse of funds.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Tamil Nadu Universities Quietly Implement NEP Amid Delay In State Higher Education Policy

By
The Commune
-
nep sep higher education tamil nadu

With no State Education Policy (SEP) for higher education yet released, Tamil Nadu’s state universities have begun implementing several components of the National Education Policy (NEP), officials told TNIE. This comes despite the ruling DMK’s vocal opposition to some aspects of the national policy.

The state government released the SEP for school education earlier this month, following prolonged delays. However, the higher education component of the policy remains pending, even though a committee tasked with drafting the SEP submitted its report in July 2024.

Meanwhile, universities are under pressure from central agencies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which link funding and recognition to NEP compliance. Officials said this has compelled many institutions to adopt NEP measures despite the absence of a state-level policy.

For example, the UGC had set a deadline of December 31, 2024, for universities to register with the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), designed to facilitate multiple entry and exit options for students—a key NEP feature opposed by the DMK. Publicly available data shows that 17 of 22 state universities have already registered and begun implementing ABC.

“If we defied the mandate, we would have lost all opportunities to get funding from the UGC,” said an official from the University of Madras, a sentiment echoed across other state universities. Another registrar noted that 14 state universities currently do not have a vice-chancellor, further straining their administrative capacity.

Several universities have also taken steps to align with NEP’s recommendations on curriculum and institutional structure. The University of Madras, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathiar University, Bharathidasan University, and Manonmaniam Sundaranar University have renamed their Human Resource Development (HRD) centres as Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centres, following UGC directives.

Alagappa University has integrated the Indian Knowledge System (IKS), promoting courses in temple architecture and arts. Anna University has launched courses such as Ariviyal Tamil (Scientific Thought in Tamil) and Tamilar Marabu (Heritage of Tamils) since 2023, in line with NEP’s IKS framework.

The University of Madras also planned to introduce dual degree programmes, a key NEP initiative, but postponed implementation pending the SEP.

Officials said NAAC reporting requirements further compel universities to adopt NEP-aligned measures. “Universities have to submit annual reports to NAAC, including NEP-related initiatives. Ignoring them could directly impact rankings,” said one vice-chancellor. Another added that while major reforms like four-year undergraduate programmes and multiple entry-exit systems are yet to be fully implemented, around 70% of NEP recommendations have been adopted, often under different nomenclature such as curriculum revamping and outcome-based learning.

E. Balagurusamy, former vice-chancellor of Anna University, described the delay in releasing the SEP as an “administrative crisis” that leaves universities directionless, with students bearing the consequences. L. Jawahar Nesan, former member of the SEP committee, also criticised the SEP for school education as resembling NEP rather than creating a unique policy for Tamil Nadu, cautioning that higher education reforms could face similar shortcomings.

Higher education department officials said the SEP is in its final review stages and is expected to be released soon.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Siddaramaiah Says Dasara Is Not A Religious Festival, Justifies Inviting Banu Mushtaq For Inauguration

By
The Commune
-
siddaramaiah mysore dasara festival dussera hindusiddaramaiah mysore dasara festival dussera hindu dussehra

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 31 August 2025 defended the state government’s decision to invite renowned Kannada writer and Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Mysuru Dasara festival, describing the event as a celebration for all communities, rather than a religious ceremony.

Addressing the media, Siddaramaiah stated that Dussehra is a non-religious festival celebrated as the “Dasara Naada” festival across the state. “Everyone celebrates the Dasara Naada festival. Therefore, it is appropriate for it to be inaugurated by writer and activist Banu Mushtaq,” he said. He added that the high-level committee responsible for selecting the inaugurator had authorised him to extend the invitation to Mushtaq.

The Chief Minister cited historical precedents, noting that figures such as Hyder Ali, Tipu Sultan, and Diwan Mirza Ismail had celebrated Dasara even when the Maharaja was not in power. He also referenced past inaugurators, including poet Nisar Ahmed, to highlight the festival’s inclusive nature. Siddaramaiah criticised those opposing Mushtaq’s appointment, calling them “religious fanatics.”

The controversy was sparked after Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra criticised the Congress government for inviting Mushtaq instead of Deepa Bhasthi, the first Indian translator to win an International Booker Prize for translating Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp. Vijayendra claimed the decision, along with Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar’s earlier remark that Chamundi Hills is not exclusively for Hindus, was an insult to Hindu traditions and beliefs.

Responding to criticism from Yaduveer Wadiyar of the Mysuru royal family, Shivakumar urged people not to communalise the festival. In a statement on X, he emphasised the inclusive nature of Chamundeshwari temple, noting that the deity is revered by people across castes and religions. “Our Durga Devi removes everyone’s sorrows. Everyone from all religions and communities has access to Chamundi Hill. Creating controversy is the BJP’s principle,” he said.

Shivakumar further highlighted the universal appeal of the festival, pointing out that Dasara attracts participants from across India and abroad, and that the royal family has historically supported its inclusive spirit. He concluded by urging against politicising religion, stating, “One should not do politics in the name of religion; even that Mother would not approve of it.”

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

How Congress Voteshare Declined Post Introduction Of Voter IDs

By
The Commune
-
voter id congress epic id voteshare india elections

The Indian National Congress, once the unchallenged hegemon of Indian politics, has seen a dramatic and sustained decline in its electoral performance over the decades. A closer look at its vote share in Lok Sabha elections reveals a striking trend that coincides with a major electoral reform: the introduction of the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC), or Voter ID card, by the Election Commission of India starting in 1993.

The Era of Dominance: Pre-Voter ID (1951-1991)

For the first four decades of India’s independence, the Congress party was the central pole of Indian politics. Its vote share in Lok Sabha elections was not only high but also consistently robust:

1951: 44.99%

1957: 47.78%

1962: 44.72%

1967: 40.78%

1971: 43.68%

1977: 34.52% (Post-Emergency setback)

1980: 42.69%

1984: 49.1% (Sympathy wave after Indira Gandhi’s assassination)

1989: 39.53%

1991: 35.66%

During this period, the Congress crossed the 40% vote share mark seven times, showcasing its deep and widespread penetration across the Indian electorate.

The Inflection Point: Introduction of the Photo Voter ID

In 1993, the Election Commission of India initiated the monumental task of issuing Photo Voter ID cards to all eligible voters. This was a watershed reform aimed at curbing electoral malpractices like booth capturing, impersonation, and duplicate voting, which were rampant in many parts of the country.

The Era of Decline: Post-Voter ID (1996-Present)

The elections following the introduction of the Voter ID card tell a completely different story for the Indian National Congress:

1996: 28.8%

1998: 25.82%

1999: 28.3%

2004: 26.53% (Formed UPA govt despite lower vote share)

2009: 28.55% (UPA II victory)

2014: 19.31% (Historic low)

2019: 19.46%

2024: 21.19%

The difference is staggering. The Congress has not once managed to cross even the 30% vote share mark in the three decades since the Voter ID was introduced. Its average vote share plummeted from a dominant position to a struggling one.

Numbers Raise Questions

The stark contrast between pre- and post-EPIC vote shares raises an uncomfortable question: Was Congress’s high vote share in the decades before voter ID cards aided by electoral malpractice, such as booth capturing or other forms of manipulation?

While multiple factors affect electoral outcomes, the introduction of voter ID cards marked the end of a period of overwhelming dominance for Congress. Could this reform have exposed vulnerabilities in the party’s ‘traditional methods’ of mobilizing votes? The numbers seem to suggest so.

From commanding nearly half the national vote to struggling to cross one-fifth, Congress’s decline underscores both the changing electoral landscape and the possible impact of more transparent voting mechanisms.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...371372373...1,940Page 372 of 1,940
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

Kerala Jesuit Priest Identified As Mastermind Behind Delhi’s CJP Unrest

The Commune - 0
A Kerala Jesuit priest named George Mutholil has been identified as the key strategist behind the current protests and unrest in New Delhi, according...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.