The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has formally petitioned the President for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, citing irregularities in electoral roll revisions. The party is also advocating for a return to paper ballots. Simultaneously, the DMK has heightened criticism of the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leadership following a major narcotics-related arrest in Tamil Nadu by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has formally escalated its confrontation with the Election Commission of India. In a recent meeting at Anna Arivalayam, Chennai, the party adopted resolutions demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. This demand follows allegations by the party that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was conducted in a partisan manner. The DMK specifically claims that this process, particularly in regions such as Bihar, resulted in the improper exclusion of genuine voters.
Alongside the call for administrative changes, the DMK is advocating for structural reforms to the national voting process. The party has officially requested a transition away from Electronic Voting Machines, proposing a return to traditional paper ballots. Furthermore, the leadership is calling for a 100 percent verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. The DMK maintains that the current electoral registry is compromised and has urged the authorities to utilize the version of the rolls that existed prior to the latest revision cycle. These grievances represent an ongoing series of challenges that have persisted since mid-2025.
Political friction has also intensified within Tamil Nadu, with the DMK focusing its critique on the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK). This follows the recent apprehension of a TVK functionary in Nagapattinam by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Reports indicate the individual was involved in the alleged concealment of 135 kilograms of methamphetamine. DMK president M.K. Stalin has publicly raised concerns regarding this case, questioning the administration's commitment to drug enforcement and drawing comparisons between the political opposition and criminal enterprises.
For those monitoring the regional political and regulatory climate, these developments highlight ongoing tensions between major political factions and national institutions. While these issues remain within the political and administrative spheres, observers typically track such friction as it can occasionally influence state-level governance and the overall policy environment. The next important update will be how the President’s office responds to the DMK’s petition and whether these political developments lead to further changes in electoral oversight or state policy discussions.