Pratibha Patil supports Nari Shakti Act.

New Delhi: Former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Expressing its strong support for the implementation of the Women’s Quota Bill, calling it a ‘transformational step’ for India’s democracy.Patil, who served as the country’s first woman and 12th President from 2007 to 2012, said the ‘historic’ Nari Shakti Vandan Act constitutional amendment will significantly strengthen women’s representation in legislative bodies and deepen democratic participation.“India has consistently witnessed the extraordinary contributions of women in every sphere of national development, often overcoming formidable social and structural barriers,” Patil said. He said the law formally recognizes their immense potential and creates institutional pathways for their leadership at the highest levels of governance.“It marks a decisive step toward addressing historic inequalities and creating a more just and equitable society,” he said. His comments come ahead of the special session of Parliament starting on April 16, where amendments to the Act and the proposed Delimitation Bill to enable one-third reservation for women are expected to be brought in Parliament.In her letter, Patil described the law as “much more than a legal provision” and said it reflects a collective resolve to advance gender equality and promote inclusive governance. He said, “I am confident that this progressive initiative will ignite the aspirations of countless women, especially from rural and marginalized communities, encouraging them to take up leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to nation building.”Highlighting the broader impact, she said greater representation of women in Parliament and state legislatures would enrich the debate, promote more balanced policymaking and inspire future generations to participate in public life.Patil said, “I commend the leaders and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly over the years to turn this long-cherished dream into reality. This historic reform will undoubtedly play a vital role in realizing the vision of a more equitable, empowered and inclusive India. Best wishes for continued efforts towards women empowerment and national progress.”His support comes amid political differences Sonia Gandhi Criticized the timing of the bill, terming it a “secret strategy”.However, Patil expressed confidence that the reforms would encourage women, especially from rural and marginalized communities, to take up leadership roles and contribute to nation building, as well as signal India’s commitment to gender justice and inclusive democracy.

As Tamil Nadu goes to polls on April 23, the election campaign is getting a new soundtrack – catchy, hyperlocal, AI-generated songs designed to stay in the minds of voters long after the rallies are over. From Coimbatore to the Cauvery Delta, candidates are trying to strike the right chord with voters through customized campaign tunes, with over 30 songs composed during the nomination phase alone. And this is no low-budget side act. Parties and candidates are willing to spend anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000 per song to increase their reach.The Playbook goes far beyond wall posters and van announcements. Political parties are now blending music, AI and social media algorithms to push more targeted campaigns, particularly on Instagram and Facebook, where ads are being tailored to suit budgets and voter demographics through meta ads.At the center of this fusion of music and politics is a growing ecosystem of AI creators. Ninth Direction’s creative head R Loganathan says they have delivered more than 30 AI-generated songs for 15 candidates alone, including many in Coimbatore. “Unlike previous elections, AI is now being used for better public outreach, especially through AI-generated campaign songs,” he told TOI. “There is a similar demand from DMK and ADMK candidates as well as some DMK alliance parties like Congress and Left parties.“His client list spans party lines and geographies – from DMK and ADMK candidates in Tiruppur, Coimbatore and the Delta to DMK alliance candidates in the southern districts. Loganathan says his journalism background is helping him craft songs better tailored to individual candidates. “I have also received requests from former ministers for song packages ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Depending on the package chosen, we provide a song in different tunes to the candidate.“But the trend of digital is not limited to songs only. Campaigns are also going global. Sources say the DMK’s IT wing is running an intensive social media operation from the UAE, targeting audiences abroad and using platforms like TikTok, which is banned in India but is active in several Gulf countries. A Dubai-based social media manager confirmed the scale of that effort, saying that the DMK’s IT machinery is more robust there than rival parties. “To connect with the Tamil audience here, they use extensive SEO strategies,” he said. “TikTok is banned in India, but it is active in many other countries, including the Gulf, allowing them to share content from Tamil Nadu and reach Tamil populations abroad.”At home, campaign professionals say the real change came during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the use of meta ads and algorithm-driven targeting increased. A popular YouTuber, now working as a freelance social media manager for the DMK, said this strategy has since become central to the IT wing of every major party.“Meta ads help target demographics and interests, while paid search engine optimization helps candidates better connect with niche and younger audiences,” he said. “For Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, it is easier because they are already using songs that are trending. But candidates who are new to social media or less active online have to rely heavily on paid promotions, and algorithms designed to deliver ads to targeted audiences in specific locations.“But in the digital campaign sector, the price of visibility is very high. The more a candidate spends, the more often they appear on voters’ screens, the YouTuber said. “Although there is an official limit on election spending for each candidate, many spend over their budget through third-party services that are not reported.”

last month, when Kamal Haasan Anna went to Arivalayam DMK Headquartered in Chennai, to accept Rajya Sabha nomination from CM MK Stalin, it marked the end of the road Makkal Needhi Mayyam (MNM) founder’s promise to provide an alternative to the two Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu.Haasan launched MNM in February 2018 to tap anger against power. MNM’s first political promo ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections featured the actor breaking a TV set on which a speech was being played, apparently by Stalin. Cut to 2026 and, accepting the Rajya Sabha nomination, Haasan “generously” surrendered the three assembly seats that the DMK had offered to the MNM as an alliance offer.Why did Haasan, who redefined success in films, fail to live up to his promise as a politician? The mistakes, perhaps, started early. MNM, true to its name (‘Maiyam’ meaning centre), seeks to be a centrist force representing various sections of the society. That position itself was seen as lacking credibility, as Haasan was known for his leftist views long before his political entry. Being at the center of political discussion also reeks of political conflict.In the electoral arena, MNM faced continuous electoral failures. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it contested 37 seats and did not win a single seat with 3.7% vote share. In the 2021 assembly elections, it fielded candidates on 154 seats, won none and its vote share dropped to 2.5%. In neighboring Puducherry it got only 1.8 percent votes. Ahead of the 2024 general elections, MNM joined the DMK-led alliance.After the demise of influential leaders like Jayalalitha and M Karunanidhi, many saw a new political space in Tamil Nadu, which film personalities like Haasan and Rajinikanth could potentially fill. While Haasan took the risk, Rajinikanth postponed his political plans in late 2020 citing health concerns.Haasan’s core team included people from diverse professional backgrounds – IAS officer Santosh Babu, retired IPS officer AG Maurya, businessman R Mahendran, entrepreneur CK Kumaravel, social activist Kameela Nasir, actor director Sripriya and writer Suka. Despite being notable in their respective fields, they were all political novices, and Haasan failed to attract veterans from other parties.Anusha Ravi, a lawyer who was MNM campaign secretary, says she joined the party attracted by Haasan’s call for change. “But, soon, he lost his confidence and I felt demoralized,” says Ravi, who will join the BJP in 2024. Haasan is fond of cinema, but not politics.Some political analysts believe that Hassan lacks a coherent political strategy. “The MNM has a weak organizational structure and limited connect with the people,” says political commentator Aazhi Senthilnathan. “Haasan’s appeal is largely limited to urban voters. After the 2019 defeat, many key members left the party, with some joining other parties like the DMK.”Political analyst Priyan Srinivasan says Haasan was unsure how to deal with the setbacks. He says, “Election defeat is normal; You have to have a plan to take the party forward.” “Look at the name Tamil Nadu Katchi. It faced several defeats, but its leader Seeman is less dejected and keeps the party relevant.Viduthalai Chiruthigal Katchi (VCK) general secretary D Ravikumar says Haasan’s electoral defeat by a narrow margin to Vanathi Srinivasan in Coimbatore in 2019 was a turning point. “Had he won, his political career would have been different. Sustaining a political party requires patience, grassroots work and long-term commitment,” says Ravikumar, who describes Haasan’s stay in the DMK as “pragmatic and retrograde”.Haasan, known as ‘Sakalakala Vallavan (Master of all Arts)’ in cinema, is known for displaying intellectual depth and creative outspokenness. However, many of his works struggled to connect with rural audiences, as his ideas were sometimes ahead of their time. Under the guidance of legendary director K Balachander, Haasan became one of the most famous actors of South India.Yet, the transition from cinema to politics brings a different set of challenges, where individual talent must give way to collective leadership and organizational strength.Haasan is not the first big star to fail in politics. Legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan tried his luck with the DMK and Congress before founding Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani in 1988. After failing to make a mark in the 1989 elections, it merged with the Janata Dal. For Tamil Nadu’s latest film-to-politics crossover star TVK Neta Vijay, Haasan’s journey holds many lessons.Foreigner StarsMG Ramachandran The actor joined DMK after leaving Congress in 1953. In 1969 he was appointed party treasurer. In 1972, after internal differences led to his expulsion from the DMK, MGR formed his own party, the ADMK. He will be Chief Minister twice and will remain in office for 10 years.J Jayalalithaa She joined the ADMK in 1982 and rose rapidly to become its publicity secretary by 1983. Known as ‘Purachi Thalaivi’, or ‘Revolutionary Leader’, she was a five-time CM and was the ADMK chief, becoming the longest serving general secretary of the party.Shivaji Ganesan After leaving Congress, he founded Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani Party in 1988. But the party failed to win seats in the 1989 elections, leading him to briefly join the Janata Dal before retiring from politics.Vijaykant Founded DMDK in 2005 and has been MLA from the party twice. DMDK emerged as the second largest party in the 2011 assembly elections and Vijayakanth remained the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly from 2011 to 2016.R Sarath Kumar The actor founded the All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi (AISMK) in 2007. After leading the party for more than 16 years, he merged it with the BJP in 2024, citing the need for stronger collective action and ideological alignment with PM Modi.