Chennai, March 28 (ANI): Tamilaga Victory Party President Vijay is coming to Chennai on Saturday to meet Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik to file a petition. (Photo by ANI) | Photo credit: ANI
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder actor C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday submitted a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik at the Chennai Secretariat, alleging that “there is a serious, credible and widespread apprehension” that the administrative machinery is being used selectively, denying opposition parties a level playing field in the campaign.
In the petition, Mr. Vijay said that law and order mechanisms are not applied uniformly and alleged that “field officers are functioning under pressure”. He cited a number of incidents which he said affected the party, including the denial of permission for a rally in Perambur, arbitrary refusals citing crowd control, selective enforcement of rules of procedure, an attempt to close down the party office in Villivakkam and last-minute denial of permission.
He sought the immediate transfer of key officials, including the Director General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, ADGP (Law and Order), senior intelligence officials and the Chief of Armed Police.
Special police observers
He also urged the Election Commission to appoint special police observers, subject the deployment to strict supervision, ensure a transparent and uniform permit system and scrutinize decisions taken during the model code of conduct to prevent misuse of the state machinery.
Following these concerns, TVK leader KA Sengottaiyan criticized officials for delaying or denying permits for party-related events and questioned what he described as a “double standard” in permitting political rallies.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Sengottaiyan said that despite repeated requests, permission for the planned program was not granted on time. “We have applied for a permit to hold the event but it has not been issued to us. Although we are trying to proceed in an orderly and legal manner, we are unable to do so,” he said.
After rejecting TVK’s request to gather 3,000 people during the election campaign, the Perambur Assembly Constituency Returning Officer on Saturday granted permission for a small gathering of 100 people at TVK chief Vijay’s election meeting.
According to election officials, the TVK party requested permission for a smaller gathering of 100 people, which was granted. Mr. Vijay’s meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at TVK 2nd Link Road-Vivekanandar 2nd Street junction, opposite Kodungaiyur Police Station in Ward 36 of Greater Chennai Corporation in Perambur constituency.
Published – 29 March 2026 0:15 AM IST
