Cabinet

LiveLaw reported that Chief Minister Joseph Vijay and Minister Aadhav Arjuna filed applications in the Madras High Court seeking rejection of election petitions challenging their 2026 Assembly victories. The court was told the applications had been filed but were yet to be numbered, and the matters were listed for August 28 and August 31. TVK Tracker records this as a legal-process update, not as a ruling on the merits of any petition. It updates the August 25 deadline file because the threatened cost stage has moved into a filing-and-listing stage. The next evidence is the numbered applications, petition pleadings, respondent replies, hearing orders, and final High Court decisions.

The New Indian Express reported that Chief Minister Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing provisions of the amended Mines and Minerals law, with concerns around state taxation powers, possible double taxation, and cancellation of pending unpaid taxes from mining operators. The report says the letter itself has not been made public, while Natural Resources Minister T.K. Prabhu told the Assembly that secretary-level discussions were under way to protect state interests. TVK Tracker marks this as an in-progress federalism and revenue file. The key checks are whether the state publishes the letter, joins other states in a formal challenge, releases mining-revenue data, and explains how Tamil Nadu will protect existing tax claims.

Hindustan Times reported that Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson's Assembly remark about paying a bribe during the previous DMK regime triggered demands from DMK and BJP leaders for an inquiry and for action against the minister. The report says Health Minister K.G. Arunraj defended Wilson as a whistleblower, while the government had not immediately responded to HT's request for comment. TVK Tracker records the issue cautiously because it contains allegations, counter-allegations, and a claimed admission, but no completed investigation. The public record should be judged by the Assembly transcript, any DVAC complaint or inquiry, documents behind the alleged approval process, Wilson's evidence, Poyyamozhi's response, and any court or vigilance outcome.

The official August 26 press summary says Natural Resources Minister T.K. Prabhu announced a new public-sector mining corporation, a drone surveillance section, an integrated electronic mineral-management platform, and a state-level monitoring centre to curb illegal mining. The same update also mentions a proposed geological heritage park in Kancheepuram district. TVK Tracker records this as an administrative and natural-resources promise signal because it turns anti-illegal-mining language into specific institutional tools. Implementation still depends on a government order creating the corporation, staffing, budget allocation, platform procurement, drone-use safeguards, inspection data, quarry enforcement actions, court challenges, environmental compliance, and public dashboards showing whether violations actually fall.

Hindustan Times reported that TVK leaders have begun publicly projecting Vijay as a possible 2029 Prime Ministerial figure, drawing criticism from Congress leaders who argued that national leadership claims should be judged by seats, coalition arithmetic, policy, and law rather than admiration inside a party. TVK Tracker keeps this as national-positioning context, not as governance delivery. It matters because TVK currently depends on allies and outside support in Tamil Nadu, while Congress remains a key national player in the wider INDIA bloc conversation. The next public evidence is whether TVK adopts any formal 2029 resolution, contests Lok Sabha seats, clarifies its alliance position, or keeps the discussion at supporter-meeting level.

News Today and Times of India reported that Chief Minister Vijay launched 130 new air-conditioned electric buses in Chennai as part of a wider plan for 750 low-floor AC electric buses. News Today placed the 130-bus batch at Rs 234.50 crore and said the vehicles would operate from depots including Alandur, Perambur, Avadi, Central, Padiyanallur, KK Nagar, and Ayyappanthangal. TVK Tracker records this as transport implementation evidence because it moves the earlier AC-bus policy signal into a visible fleet launch. The remaining checks are route lists, frequency, fare treatment, accessibility, depot charging readiness, operating costs, reliability data, and whether non-AC affordable coverage is protected.