Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 | Deploy Central armed police forces at TVK events: Vijay writes to CEO

Chennai: Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay has written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tamil Nadu demanding “sufficient deployment of local police” and Central armed police forces to ensure public safety is not compromised by the state police during campaign events of his fledgling party.

Vijay’s letter to CEO Archana Patnaik came days after he was forced to cut short his campaign speech in Kolathur and cancel his program in Villivakkam due to lack of enough police personnel to man the crowd.

This is the second time that Vijay has written to the CEO complaining of a continuing pattern of actions or inactions that raise serious questions regarding institutional neutrality and procedural fairness during the election period.

He said the inadequate protection in Kolathur resulted in a dangerous surge and likely public safety incident, forcing him to cut short his speech and cancel the remaining meetings scheduled in the interest of public safety.

“The uninvited organic gathering of general public on the roads during my convoy movement to the campaign location was not regulated properly with absolutely no traffic control measures by Chennai police,” he alleged.

Due to the reluctance and wilful inaction of police officials close to the ruling party, Vijay said, he notices a pattern of willful disruption through non-traffic regulation and control, and venue disruptions that impede his ability to carry on the election campaign and perform his democratic duties.

He wanted the immediate transfer of the DGP, Chennai Police Commissioner, ADGP (Law & Order), IG/ADGP (Intelligence), DG/ADGP Armed Police, and Commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation.

“Adequate police protection and security arrangements should be ensured across the State, particularly in identified sensitive areas for TVK programs for the general public. Sufficient deployment of local police/ Central Armed Police Forces must be made for election related duties,” he added.

Vijay also said such deployment and arrangements be placed under the strict supervision of ECI appointed Observers, particularly Police Observers, to ensure full compliance with the Model Code of Conduct.