A Tumultuous Year for Tamil Nadu: Politics, Protests, and Performance

In 2024, Tamil Nadu's political scene saw significant shifts with the DMK retaining dominance and new challenges arising, such as Vijay's political entry. Notable events included political debacles, Cyclone Fengal's impact, and heightened tensions between the DMK and the Governor. The state's economic performance stood out positively.

The political landscape of Tamil Nadu in 2024 was marked by significant developments. Major opposition parties, including AIADMK and BJP, faced considerable setbacks during the Lok Sabha elections, which were convincingly won by the ruling DMK, solidifying its grip on state politics for the second consecutive term.

The year introduced a new political player: renowned actor Vijay, who founded the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam, targeting the 2026 Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the DMK saw a potential leadership change as Chief Minister M K Stalin's son, Udhayanidhi, was named his deputy amid rumors of his ascending role.

State governance faced criticism following a high-profile sexual assault case at Anna University and the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. These incidents sparked intense opposition protests demanding accountability. Economically, Tamil Nadu outperformed expectations with a significant GSDP growth rate of 8.23%, surpassing the national average.

(With inputs from agencies.)