The campaign for the 234-seat Tamil Nadu Assembly election on April 23 is heating up, with significant competition among the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led alliance, the AIADMK-National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). Launched in February 2024, TVK is contesting all seats independently, energizing younger voters but raising concerns about vote splitting among established parties. A major controversy erupted when AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami alleged that DMK chief MK Stalin kept his father, late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, under “house arrest” during his final days, prompting strong backlash from DMK leaders who deemed the claim defamatory. Additionally, Stalin has accused the BJP-led central government of spreading “saffron lies” regarding Tamil Nadu's development, framing the election as a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi. The campaign has seen a rise in personal attacks, with Palaniswami criticizing the DMK as a corporate entity and accusing it of lacking originality in its policies. As tensions rise, the election is set to be a pivotal moment for Tamil Nadu's political landscape.