BY ELECTION | TVK | DMK | ADMK - எந்தக் கட்சிக்கு வெற்றி அவசியம்? | Imperfect Show

The Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections, scheduled for October 6, have become an important political contest involving the ruling TVK, opposition DMK and AIADMK. Both constituencies fell vacant after former AIADMK MLAs K. Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama resigned and joined TVK.For TVK, the bypolls come just months after forming the government and are being closely watched as an early electoral test of its administration and organisation. For AIADMK, both seats carry an additional significance because the vacancies were created by the defection of its former MLAs. The DMK, meanwhile, is seeking to challenge TVK in both constituencies, fielding I. Paranthamen in Madurantakam and S. Suganya in Dharapuram. Senior leaders from all three parties have stepped up campaigning as the contest intensifies.What would a victory mean for each party? How important are these two seats for TVK’s government, DMK’s opposition strategy and AIADMK’s political recovery?In this episode of Imperfect Show, we examine the stakes for TVK, DMK and AIADMK, the constituency-level factors and what these by-election results could mean for each party’s political strategy.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing intensified criticism from opposition parties over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Opposition leaders have alleged that the Election Commission’s actions could benefit the ruling BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and have demanded Kumar’s resignation or removal. Congress-led protests have now spread across several states, with demonstrations reported on September 25–26. The controversy has also been fuelled by reports of differences within the three-member Election Commission. Opposition parties have highlighted objections reportedly raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over certain decisions connected with the electoral-roll process. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that these were internal observations and that decisions were taken through the Commission’s institutional process. So, what are the allegations against Gyanesh Kumar? What does the SIR controversy actually involve? And why have opposition parties escalated their campaign against the Election Commission? In this episode of IPS, we examine the allegations, the reported internal differences within the ECI, the opposition protests and the Election Commission’s response.

Small-cap and mid-cap stocks have continued to attract strong investor interest, with recent data showing healthy inflows into these segments. In August, small-cap mutual funds saw record inflows of around ₹7,973 crore, while mid-cap funds also attracted significant investments. But what is driving this momentum? Is it earnings growth, domestic liquidity, sector rotation or investor enthusiasm? At the same time, market analysts have raised concerns that some mid- and small-cap stocks are looking expensive, making valuations an important factor to watch.The episode also looks at an important investor question: If a company makes higher profits, is it legally required to pay a higher dividend?Under India’s Companies Act, a profitable company is not generally required to distribute a fixed or higher percentage of its profits as dividend. Companies can retain earnings for expansion, debt reduction, working capital and other purposes, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Certain sectors, such as banks, also have specific dividend rules from regulators such as the RBI.So, why are Small Cap and Mid Cap stocks moving up? And how do profits, retained earnings and dividend payouts actually work? In this episode of IPS Finance, we decode the Small Cap–Mid Cap rally and explain the rules behind corporate dividend payments.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing renewed political scrutiny amid the ongoing debate over the Election Commission’s functioning and allegations raised by opposition leaders. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has called for Kumar’s removal, while the Election Commission has faced wider criticism over issues surrounding electoral rolls and the SIR exercise. At the same time, campaigning for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections is intensifying ahead of the October 6 polling. TVK, DMK, AIADMK and the Left parties are contesting the two seats, with senior leaders stepping up their campaigns. The campaign has also seen allegations and counter-allegations over MLA defections, horse-trading and alleged cash distribution. AIADMK has submitted a complaint to the Election Commission seeking an inquiry into alleged voter inducement in both constituencies; these are allegations that require investigation. What are the key controversies surrounding Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission? What is driving the increasingly intense battle in Madurantakam and Dharapuram? And what issues are dominating the bypoll campaign? In this episode of Political Lab, we examine the Election Commission controversy and the major political developments shaping the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections.

Could rising crude oil prices and geopolitical risks put renewed pressure on petroleum product prices in India? With India’s crude import costs already elevated, the direction of global oil prices remains an important factor for inflation, fuel costs and the broader economy. Meanwhile, Copper has been showing strong momentum, with copper futures gaining around 4.6% over five trading sessions as of September 23, amid supply disruptions and concerns over production. Steel and other metal stocks have also been gaining alongside the broader commodity rally.The latest SEBI developments are also important for commodity-market participants. SEBI has been reviewing position limits and penalty provisions for commodity derivatives, while the regulator has also been examining ways to deepen the commodity-derivatives ecosystem. What is driving the movement in Copper and Steel? Are petroleum product prices showing early signs of another rise? And what do the latest SEBI developments mean for commodity traders and investors?In this episode, Commodity Expert Shyam Sundar analyses Petroleum Products, Copper, Steel and the latest SEBI developments in the commodity market.

A major legal controversy involving M.K. Stalin and Vikatan has once again come into focus. Stalin had filed a defamation case over a Vikatan report concerning an alleged ₹500-crore political donation, while subsequent electoral-bond disclosures brought renewed attention to the figures and the political debate surrounding them.At the same time, the Gem Granites Veeramani POCSO case continues to widen, with investigators examining allegations concerning the earlier handling of the case and an alleged financial trail involving several individuals. Police have also questioned people linked to the suspected money transactions as part of the ongoing investigation. These remain allegations under investigation and have not been established as facts by a court. What happened in the ₹500-crore case involving Stalin and Vikatan? What was the court’s position? And why is the Gem Veeramani investigation now attracting intense political and public attention? In this episode of IPS, we examine the Vikatan–Stalin legal battle, the ₹500-crore controversy and the latest developments in the Gem Veeramani case.

The Indian stock market came under significant pressure on September 24, with the Nifty 50 falling sharply as investors reacted to a combination of global and domestic factors. Rising US yields, elevated crude oil prices, rupee weakness and concerns over foreign flows added to the pressure. Meanwhile, the US dollar–rupee equation remains a key factor for Indian markets. The rupee was trading around the ₹96-per-dollar mark, with a stronger dollar, crude prices and equity-market weakness weighing on the currency. Another major trigger is the IRDAI’s proposed changes to insurance commission and expense structures, which have put insurance stocks under pressure. Investors are assessing what the proposed changes could mean for insurers’ profitability and the broader financial sector.So, what exactly triggered the market fall? How much pressure is coming from the US dollar and crude oil? And why has the IRDAI proposal become a major concern for insurance stocks? In this episode of IPS Finance, we decode the market fall, rupee-dollar pressure and IRDAI’s latest regulatory move.

A fresh controversy has emerged around TVK candidate Sathyabama in the Dharapuram by-election, with the DMK targeting her with allegations involving money and her move to TVK. DMK campaigners have even carried a suitcase during their campaign, using the term “Petti Bama” to attack the TVK candidate. Sathyabama has denied the allegation, saying false information is being spread that she resigned after receiving money. The controversy comes amid a wider political debate over money and defections in Tamil Nadu politics. Earlier, TVK had itself alleged that attempts were made to persuade its MLAs to switch sides with offers reportedly ranging from ₹10 crore to ₹50 crore—claims that triggered a political and police controversy. So, what is the ₹50-crore controversy surrounding the TVK candidate? Why has the DMK turned the suitcase into a campaign symbol? What does Sathyabama say in response, and what does the controversy reveal about the political battle in Dharapuram? In this episode of Political Lab, we examine the allegations, the responses from both sides and the campaign strategy unfolding around the Dharapuram by-election.

The Nifty 50 is facing a crucial phase around the 23,700 level, with investors closely watching global cues, crude oil prices, sectoral moves and upcoming economic data for signs of the market’s next direction. Meanwhile, Hero Motors is making its market debut today after its ₹1,000-crore IPO received strong demand during the subscription period. The issue was subscribed multiple times, with the stock scheduled to list on both NSE and BSE on September 23. The spotlight then shifts to the much-awaited NSE IPO listing on September 24. NSE’s ₹22,569-crore IPO was subscribed 5.71 times, while only around 5.48% of the pre-offer capital is expected to be freely tradeable at listing. Alongside the IPO action, investors will also track the upcoming Flash PMI data and GDP expectations for clues about economic growth and market sentiment. In this episode of IPS Finance, we decode the Nifty’s 23,700 level, Hero Motors’ IPO listing, NSE’s mega listing, Flash PMI and the latest GDP expectations shaping the Indian market.

The investigation into the alleged ₹100-crore private-school permissions case involving former School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has widened, with his friend and former aide Valadi Karthik being questioned by the Chennai Central Crime Branch. Meanwhile, the Gem Veeramani case has taken another serious turn. Chennai Police have reportedly formed a separate team to investigate allegations of money changing hands in connection with the handling of the case. The probe is focused on establishing whether any illegal payments were made and who, if anyone, was involved. These remain allegations under investigation.What could the questioning of Anbil Mahesh’s friend reveal? What is the alleged money trail in the Veeramani case? Are the two developments connected, or are they separate investigations? In this episode of IPS, we examine the latest investigation updates, the allegations, the reported money trail and the questions emerging around both cases.