Many NRIs who are registered voters in Tamil Nadu travelled back home to cast their ballots in the April 23 Assembly elections. Amid this, a video featuring an IndiGo pilot addressing passengers on a Singapore-Tiruchirappalli flight has gone viral on social media.
In the clip shared on Instagram, Captain Pradeep Krishnan is seen asking how many passengers were heading to Tiruchirappalli to vote, with nearly all of them raising their hands. He then reminded passengers about the importance of voting, saying it is not just a right but also a responsibility.
“Voting is a responsibility. Don’t forget to go and vote. Vote for the deserving candidate. For the next five years, things can be shaped by this,” he said in Tamil in the video. “First-time voters, all the best. Every vote counts,” he added.
Sharing the clip online, he wrote, “A full flight coming home to vote! Don’t complain about the future if you stayed silent on voting day.”
Watch the video below:
The video has since drawn widespread attention, with many praising both the pilot’s message and the commitment of voters travelling long distances to participate in the democratic process.
(Also Read: Tamil Nadu sees 84.51% turnout as voting ends across 234 seats; results on May 4)
Tamil Nadu election 2026
Notably, polling for all 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu concluded at 6 pm on Thursday. Around 82.24 per cent of the 5.73 crore eligible voters exercised their franchise, marking a record turnout. Officials said this figure was recorded till 5 PM, with final data to be released after consolidation.
The counting of votes will take place on May 4, which will decide the next government in the state. The current Assembly’s tenure is set to end on May 10.
A total of 4,023 candidates are contesting across the state, including several prominent leaders. Chief Minister MK Stalin is seeking re-election from Kolathur in Chennai. His son and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin is contesting from Chepauk–Thiruvallikeni.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami is contesting from Edappadi in Salem district. Actor-politician Vijay is making his electoral debut, contesting from Perambur in Chennai and Tiruchirappalli East.
