BJP Functionary Ballakrishnan Hacked to Death in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul Over Suspected Financial Dispute Ahead of 2026 Polls

A 39-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary named Ballakrishnan was hacked to death near Sanarpatti in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. Police suspect the killing may have been motivated by a personal vendetta linked to a financial dispute. The incident has raised concerns about law and order in the state ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. BJP leaders, including State Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy and Tamil Nadu President Nainar Nagendran, have criticized the state government's handling of public safety and law enforcement. The murder has drawn political reactions, with the DMK acknowledging law and order challenges across multiple states, including those ruled by the BJP. Separately, the custodial death of Ajith Kumar in Sivaganga district has also sparked condemnation from various political parties and human rights advocates, with the Congress party expressing support for the victim's family and calling for justice. The case continues to attract attention from civil society and legal experts, highlighting ongoing concerns about custodial deaths and police accountability in Tamil Nadu.