Mainstream news media has been reporting since yesterday 14 Ocotber 2026 that the TVK which is a part of the I.N.D.I. alliance will be participating in the anti-SIR protests in Tamil Nadu.
The protest was organised by INDIA bloc parties at Egmore in Chennai. Congress, VCK, Communist parties and the Indian Union Muslim League were among those participating. TVK also joined the demonstration, with Minister Raj Mohan reported to be representing the party.
On 15 October 2026, news outlets like ANI and IANS even shared videos of the protest site. However, one thing was conspicuously absent despite the claims – TVK was missing!
Not one TVK flag or a known face was seen at these protests.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the INDIA bloc’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Congress leader Anand Srinivasan says, “This is very significant. You can see the number of people who have turned up. More than 500 people are here. This is an INDIA bloc meeting, and for the first time, TVK has also joined us in the protest. Minister Rajmohan is expected to join us, and Vanniyar Arasu has come from the VCK. This is a united protest by the INDIA bloc in Madras in solidarity with what is happening in Delhi and against the violence unleashed by the police, CRPF and Rapid Action Force there…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026
This alleged financial advisor Anand Srinivasan claims TVK Minister Rajmohan is expected to join. But not one flag of the TVK is visible in the crowd.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The TVK joins the INDIA bloc’s protest against the CEC Gyanesh Kumar https://t.co/Q9GXVKFA0k
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2026
Videos of interviews from the protest showed only Congress and VCK members.
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader SS Balaji says, “… When the CJP raised their voice against Dharmendra Pradhan for his resignation, it came out very soon… At the end of the day, justice prevails, and democracy wins. You have several national parties in the INDIA bloc. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the number of parties is limited, and they (the TVK) have expressed their interest in joining the Tamil Nadu INDIA bloc… When the INDIA bloc meets at the national level, they will give their consent to the official entry of the TVK, but the TVK has joined the INDIA bloc…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2026
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Congress MP Vijay Vasanth says, “We are insisting on the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar… The Election Commission is working on behalf of the BJP, which is undemocratic… The BJP government does not listen to the people’s voice… In order to add strength, the TVK government is also joining this protest today…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2026
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the INDIA bloc’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, “The INDIA alliance is united, and we are all together here. The main issue is the fight against the Modi government, particularly the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. Today, TVK is also part of the protest. I hope the media will stop speculating…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026
The VCK’s Vanni Arasu was also seen.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the INDIA bloc’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Minister Vanni Arasu says, “Everyone has the right to protest against administrative problems and irregularities, and there is no issue with that. However, holding another protest on the same day when a major and primary protest is already underway is an attempt to divert attention. The BJP’s biggest conspiracy today is to weaken the electoral system. If the electoral system is weakened, no institution will be able to protect the system, the people or democracy. If we want to protect democracy, this must remain the primary protest. You can hold another protest on a different day…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026
MDMK was present.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the INDIA bloc protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, MDMK General Secretary Vaiko says, “The revolution that started in Delhi has spread across India and has also reached Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, demanding the removal of Gyanesh Kumar from the post of Chief Election Commissioner. Today’s agitation has been a grand success.”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026
The Communists were present.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the INDIA bloc’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, CPI(M) State Secretary P. Shanmugam says, “We want the DMK to join this protest as well. We welcome the participation of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Everyone should unite to save democracy, and we hope the DMK will also join this united protest.”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 15, 2026
In what seems to be like a half-hearted approach, the TVK sent one of its ministers to participate in the protest – Rajmohan. The cadre did not assemble in large numbers and as mentioned above, no TVK flags were seen.
Junior Vikatan reports that leaders and cadres of other participating parties were reportedly dissatisfied with TVK’s approach, alleging that the ruling party did little to demonstrate a strong opposition to the Election Commission or the BJP.
TVK Minister Avoids Naming BJP, Demanding CEC’s Resignation
In Delhi, opposition parties, student groups and other organisations have held demonstrations, with several protesters reportedly detained.
According to I.N.D.I. bloc functionaries quoted in the report, TVK had earlier faced criticism for taking what they described as a guarded position on the issue. While the party maintained that it remained firm in its opposition to SIR, it did not explicitly demand Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Egmore protest was expected to provide TVK with an opportunity to demonstrate a stronger position alongside its allies. However, the party’s participation reportedly fell short of their expectations.
One I.N.D.I. bloc functionary alleged that Raj Mohan did not mention the BJP or demand the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation in his speech. Instead, he reportedly reiterated TVK’s opposition to SIR without making a more forceful political statement.
“We thought that since they were participating in a protest organised by us, they would express their opposition more forcefully at least this time,” the functionary reportedly said, expressing disappointment with the minister’s remarks.
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