THE NEXT BIG LEAP FOR TAMIL NADU
23rd February 2026 | 10:00 AM
OVERVIEW
The News18 Network Town Hall returns to Chennai with its trademark sharp focus on the next big leap for Tamil Nadu. With the Assembly elections on the horizon, this special edition brings together the leaders, changemakers, and cultural voices shaping the state’s future. From political heavyweights to youth icons, the Town Hall promises powerful conversations at the intersection of governance, identity, and aspiration, as power, pride and politics come together to define Tamil Nadu’s next chapter.
SPEAKERS
M.K. Stalin
Hon’ble Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu
Udhayanidhi Stalin
Hon’ble Deputy CM, Tamil Nadu
Dr. T.R.B. Rajaa
Minister for Industries, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan
Minister for Information Technology, Govt. of Tamil Nadu
K Annamalai
Former State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Nadu
Prof Kamakoti
Director, IIT Madras
Khushbu Sundar
Actor & Politician
Mani Shankar Aiyer
Senior Congress Leader
Anirudh Ravichander
Music Director
KG Arunraj
General Secretary of Propaganda and Policy, TVK
Premalatha Vijayakanth
DMDK, General Secretary
Tamilisai Soundararajan
Former Governor
Dr. Sasikumar Gendham
President, Electronic Industries Association of India
Narayanan Thirupathy
Chief Spokesperson, BJP Tamil Nadu
Annadurai Saravanan
Spokesperson, DMK
Kovai Sathyan
National Spokesperson, AIADMK
Lakshmi Ramachandran
Spokesperson, Congress
Radhika Ganesh
Cultural-political Activist, Co-founder Kaani Nilam and Young People for Politics
Mathivathani
Dravidar Kazhagam
Felix Gerald
TVK
Velusamy R
President - Automotive Business, M&M Ltd; Managing Director -Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd.
AGENDA
THE NEXT BIG LEAP FOR TAMIL NADU:
M.K. Stalin, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil NaduVOICES, VISION & WAY FORWARD:
Udhayanidhi StalinHon'ble Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil NaduINVESTMENT STORY INTACT?:
Dr. T.R.B. RajaaMinister for Industries, Govt. of Tamil NaduCODE, CAPACITY & CITIZENSHIP:
Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan Minister for Information Technology, Govt. of Tamil NaduPEOPLE, TRUST & POLITICAL IDEOLOGY:
K Annamalai Former State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil NaduWINDS OF CHANGE POSSIBLE?:
KG ArunrajGeneral Secretary of Propaganda and Policy, TVKTECH, TALENT & OPPORTUNITY:
Prof KamakotiDirector, IIT Madras Velusamy R President- Automotive Business, M&M Ltd; Managing Director- Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd. Dr. Sasikumar Gendham President, Electronic Industries Association Of India
TAMIL MUSIC FOR THE WORLD:
Anirudh RavichanderMusic DirectorWHERE THERE IS A WILL:
Khushbu SundarActor & PoliticianBATTLE FOR TAMIL NADU:
A Sarvanan Spokesperson, DMK Narayanan Thirupathy Chief Spokesperson, BJP Tamil Nadu Kovai Sathyan National Spokesperson, AIADMK Lakshmi Ramachandran Spokesperson, CongressBATTLE FOR TAMIL NADU (Tamil):
Radhika Ganesh Cultural-political Activist, Co-founder Kaani Nilam and Young People for Politics BR Srinivas Political Analyst Mathivathani Dravidar Kazhagam Felix Gerald TVKTHE OUTLIER VANTAGE:
Mani Shankar AiyarSenior Congress LeaderTHE LONG ROAD TO POWER:
Tamilisai Soundararajan Former Governor S. Peter Alphonse Senior Congress Leader
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