The political contest within the AIADMK has taken a new turn following the growing differences between General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) and former senior leader K. A. Sengottaiyan, who joined Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). With AIADMK facing internal dissent and recent by-election setbacks, questions are emerging about EPS’s next moves and how the party plans to respond to the changing political landscape. Reports have also highlighted disagreements over whether former AIADMK leaders should be brought back into the party or accommodated through alliances.

Could EPS make a move to counter Sengottaiyan’s influence? Is a TVK–AIADMK alliance a realistic possibility, or do the parties’ competing political interests make such an arrangement difficult? While the AIADMK has faced internal debate over its approach to Vijay’s government, no confirmed alliance agreement between TVK and AIADMK has been announced. Meanwhile, the protests demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls have added another dimension to Tamil Nadu’s political debate. TVK has joined the INDIA bloc and is expected to participate in the October 15 protest against the CEC, while the DMK’s position has become more complicated following its exit from the alliance.

In this episode of Imperfect Show, we examine EPS’s political strategy, Sengottaiyan’s role in TVK, the prospects and challenges surrounding a possible TVK–AIADMK alliance, and how the CJP protest and SIR controversy could influence the wider political equation.

The Indian stock market staged a strong recovery on October 13, 2026, with the Nifty 50 rising 358.60 points to close at 22,721.95, while the Sensex surged 1,109.10 points to 73,033.78. The rally lifted investor sentiment after recent selling pressure, but questions remain over whether the recovery can sustain itself amid global uncertainty and volatility. IT stocks led the gains, with the Nifty IT index climbing more than 5%. Strong quarterly results from HCLTech and positive sentiment around TCS and other major IT companies supported the sector. Investors are now watching upcoming earnings, currency movements and global technology trends to assess whether IT stocks can extend their rally.

Meanwhile, developments surrounding the TVS Group have brought the family’s succession and ownership questions into focus. With TVS Holdings playing a key role in the ownership structure of TVS Motor Company, what is behind the reported family differences, and could the developments have implications for the group’s businesses and investors? In this episode of IPS Finance, we analyse the reasons behind the market rebound, the sharp rally in IT stocks, the key factors that could influence the next market move, and the latest developments involving the TVS Group. We also explore the risks investors should monitor before drawing conclusions about the sustainability of the rally.

Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar have intensified across India, with opposition parties questioning the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 10, Delhi witnessed a major security crackdown as police detained protesters and restricted access to several areas ahead of a demonstration organised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Opposition leaders allege that voter-list revisions could undermine electoral fairness, while the BJP and Election Commission reject claims of political bias.

The controversy has raised questions about the Modi government’s response to mounting opposition criticism. Is the protest creating wider political pressure, and what are the implications of the allegations surrounding SIR? The debate has also exposed differences among opposition parties over how to challenge the Election Commission and what action should follow.

In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Vijay and the TVK face questions about their position on the anti-CEC campaign. TVK has maintained a cautious stance on making the CEC’s removal the central demand, even as Congress and other opposition parties intensify their protests. The DMK, meanwhile, is navigating its own political differences with Congress following the changing alliance equations in the state. In this episode of Imperfect Show, we examine the CJP protest, the allegations surrounding SIR, the BJP-led government’s response, and the political calculations involving Modi, Vijay, TVK, Congress and DMK.