Published Oct 09, 2026 | 8:20 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 09, 2026 | 8:32 PM
Vijay’s TVK, which is allied with the Congress in Tamil Nadu, has largely stayed away from the Opposition's protests against the CEC.
Synopsis: Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on October 10, ahead of his student outreach programme, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’. According to sources, the Congress requested the meeting, which Vijay is likely to host at his Neelankarai residence. The meeting coincides with the CJP’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai on October 10, according to sources.
Vijay is likely to host Gandhi at his Neelankarai residence in Chennai. The meeting is expected to happen in the afternoon, ahead of the third edition of Gandhi’s nationwide student outreach programme, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’. Some reports have speculated that Vijay might share the stage with Gandhi at the event.
According to sources, the meeting follows a request from the Congress to the TVK leadership to arrange an interaction between Gandhi and Vijay. The Congress had reportedly made a similar request during Gandhi’s visit to Tamil Nadu last August, but the TVK leadership did not show interest at the time. The latest request also reportedly took time to elicit a response, with Congress insiders expressing concern over the TVK leadership’s apparent lack of interest.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes amid sustained Opposition protests, led by the Congress, against the Election Commission (ECI) and the BJP-led central government over allegations of voter-roll manipulation and large-scale deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), which is allied with the Congress in Tamil Nadu, has largely stayed away from the Opposition’s nationwide campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote theft.” However, amid mounting criticism from the DMK on the party’s alleged silence on the issue, TVK on October 7 issued a statement condemning the detention of Rahul Gandhi during the protests.
“Even before coming to power, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had opposed the SIR process. The party continues to maintain the same position even now,” the statement said.
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Notably, the reported meeting and Gandhi’s Chennai visit coincide with a protest announced by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the same day. The planned protest has reportedly prompted heightened security preparations by the authorities.
Rahul Gandhi, who has been at the forefront of the Opposition protests in New Delhi, will skip the CJP protest and travel to Chennai to attend the event, drawing attention to his decision to be absent from the demonstration.
Meanwhile, the central government has deployed more than 26,000 security personnel, suspended train and metro services, and detained students and young people travelling from across the country to attend the protests.
The Delhi Police has also ordered a 24-hour suspension of internet services within a 4-km radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path.
“Internet services will remain suspended within a 4-kilometre radius around the Janpath–Kartavya Path crossing. Services will remain suspended from 10 PM on October 9 to 10 PM on October 10. Instructions have been issued to suspend all forms of mobile internet technology,” said a statement by Manishi Chandra, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell (Headquarters).
According to the Indian Express, Indian Railways has cancelled all trains arriving at and departing from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations for 10 hours from 4 am to 2 pm on October 10.
In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said: “Intelligence inputs and traffic advisory indicate severe road congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station area on 10th Oct, 2026 between 04:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs due to planned protest/demonstration by Opposition parties in Central Delhi. To ensure that passengers do not face similar hardship, Railways has taken a proactive, precautionary step: All Mail/Express trains starting from the source after 14:00 hrs on 9th Oct, which were scheduled to arrive at New Delhi / Hazrat Nizamuddin between 04:00-14:00 hrs on 10th Oct, are cancelled at source.”
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose. Edited by Fayisa CA)
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