சிக்கலில் தலைமைத் தேர்தல் அதிகாரி ஞானேஷ்குமார் | களைகட்டும் இடைத்தேர்தல் பிரசாரம் | IPS

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.

The NSE IPO has generated massive investor interest, with the ₹22,569-crore issue receiving 5.71 times subscription. The retail portion was subscribed around 1.39 times, leading to estimates that roughly 3 out of 4 retail applicants could receive an allotment. Meanwhile, the stock market is facing fresh pressure. On September 22, the Nifty 50 fell 0.36%, with IT stocks among the key drags, while crude oil prices also declined amid changing geopolitical expectations. Will falling crude prices provide support to the market? Can weakness in IT continue to weigh on the indices? And what should investors watch for to understand the market’s next direction?In this episode of IPS Finance, we decode the NSE IPO allotment math, the IT sector decline, crude oil movement and the key factors shaping the market.

The Gem Granites Veeramani case has taken a fresh turn, with the investigation expanding following the identification of a key alleged victim and the recording of her statement before a magistrate. Police are also examining allegations of financial transactions linked to the case, with a separate team reportedly formed to investigate the money trail. At the same time, questions are being raised over the proposed new Secretariat project at Pattinapakkam. The project has faced opposition from local fishermen and residents, and Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Rajmohan has said that Chief Minister Vijay would consider public views and environmental concerns before taking a balanced decision. What new revelations could emerge in the Gem Veeramani investigation? What does the alleged money trail reveal? And could there be changes to the proposed new Secretariat project? In this episode of IPS, we examine the latest developments in both stories and the questions surrounding them.

The NSE IPO has attracted strong investor interest, with the issue getting fully subscribed during the bidding period. But with the IPO priced at ₹1,700–₹1,785 per share, investors are also watching the valuation and listing expectations closely.Meanwhile, a new debate is emerging around UPI Merchant Discount Rate (MDR). From October 15, 2026, specified merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000 will attract MDR, while fuel transactions have been assigned a flat ₹5 MDR.Petrol pump dealers are asking for an exemption for fuel payments and have approached the RBI over the additional cost. Some dealer associations have even warned of stopping UPI payments above ₹2,000 if the issue is not resolved.In this episode, we decode the NSE IPO pricing, subscription response, valuation concerns and the petrol dealers’ demand over UPI MDR.