Below the Line - The HinduBusinessLineSENSEX 76,664.21 -999.79NIFTY 23,897.95 -275.10CRUDEOIL 8,830.00 -345.00GOLD 152,775.00+ 1,014.00SILVER 244,400.00+ 2,887.00SENSEX 76,664.21 -999.79NIFTY 23,897.95 -275.10NIFTY 23,897.95 -275.10CRUDEOIL 8,830.00 -345.00CRUDEOIL 8,830.00 -345.00GOLD 152,775.00+ 1,014.00'; } document.getElementById("lgdv").innerHTML = htmlElements; } function numberformat(i) { return Number(parseFloat(i).toFixed(2)).toLocaleString('en', { minimumFractionDigits: 2 }) } async function gatherResponse(response) { const { headers } = response; const contentType = headers.get('content-type') || ''; if (contentType.includes('application/json')) { return await response.json() } return response.text(); } function getWidth() { if (Math.max(document.body.scrollWidth,document.documentElement.scrollWidth,document.body.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.offsetWidth,document.documentElement.clientWidth) > 991) { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "none"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "block"; } else { document.getElementById("mob").style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("lgdv").style.display = "none"; } } getWidth();]]>A group of youngsters after casting their votes at the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections | Photo Credit: LAKSHMI NARAYANAN EGen Z votesWhile parents guide their children in all aspects, it was the reverse in the just held Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu. And, this trend could possibly decide the outcome of the elections too with youngsters advising and even forcing their parents and grandparents to vote for the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founded by actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay. “We want change,” were the buzzwords heard among youngsters in the three weeks.While this reporter was standing in the queue to vote, two youngsters after voting, advised their mother and grandmother to vote for Number 6 — Whistle (TVK symbol) in the EVM. Everyone in the queue and policemen on duty just smiled. It’s clearly the Gen-Z era.In a soupOne of the Dravidian parties’ resourceful candidates distributed a 5-tier stainless steel lunch box at Samayanallur near Tiruchirapalli. A woman refused to take it, saying she didn’t want anything from that party. However, the local leader pleaded with her, saying, “You vote for anyone, no problem. Please take this, otherwise I will be in a soup.”For a voteA little bird went for breakfast in a Chennai restaurant, where a bearer in his late fifties had this tale to narrate. Both Dravidian parties paid ₹3,000 each for his six-member family. His son and daughter voted for the ruling party, and his parents for the previous ruling party. His wife was confused and didn’t vote. When this gentleman got down at his native place, he was surrounded by the fans of the fledgling party and asked to vote for their leader. If not, the fans threatened, he should return to Chennai. He was then escorted to the polling booth and forced to vote for the candidate of their choice.The hunt continuesThe interview for candidates short-listed for the post of Basmati Export Development Foundation director was scheduled on April 28. However, it has been put off. Two reasons are cited: One, the Minister who is supposed to interview has another function. Two, recent basmati farmers’ voicing dissatisfaction against the BEDF.What’s in a nameIf you thought what’s in name, think again, as in politics, name matters. When the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, rechristened itself as the Bharat Rashtra Samithi to widen its national footprint, the idea was to go from regional force to national player. After the party’s electoral drubbing in 2023, when it lost power to the Indian National Congress in Telangana, many within the party felt the “Bharat” pivot had diluted its Telangana-first identity — the very brand that built its success. The BRS has since been toying with the idea of reclaiming its old TRS identity.But wait! Kalvakuntla Kavitha has now floated a new outfit — the Telangana Rashtra Sena (also TRS) — effectively beating the BRS to its old name. It’s also about legacy.Published on April 27, 2026Sign into Unlock benefits!Access 10 free stories per monthAccess to comment on every storySign up/Manage to our newslettersGet notified by email for early preview to new features, discounts & offers${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }