Politics · India · 6 hrs ago
Stalin declines to answer whether second place is enough for DMK
TVK won by-elections in the Maduranthakam and Dharapuram constituencies in Tamil Nadu, while the DMK finished second.
DMK leader M.K. Stalin had described the party’s increased vote share compared with the 2026 general election as a kind of victory despite losing.
VCK leader Thirumavalavan asked whether second place was enough for the DMK or whether it wanted to finish first.
Reporters also asked Stalin about postal ballots, where they said the DMK ranked first and TVK third.
A TVK legislator had alleged that the DMK paid to secure postal votes.
Stalin said reporters had already answered their own questions, then declined to respond to Thirumavalavan’s challenge and left.
The DMK came second in by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, which the TVK won.
DMK leader M.K. Stalin declined to answer whether second place was enough for his party.
Stalin had described the result as a victory in defeat, saying the DMK’s vote share in the two constituencies had risen compared with the 2026 general election.
VCK leader Thirumavalavan had asked whether the DMK wanted first place rather than settling for second.
A TVK legislator alleged that the DMK had paid for postal votes, in which the DMK placed first.
- Who
- DMK leader M.K. Stalin declined to answer a question from reporters.
- What
- He was asked whether second place in the by-elections was enough for the DMK.
- When
- October 12, 2026.
- Where
- DMK headquarters in Chennai.
- Why
- VCK leader Thirumavalavan had asked whether the DMK wanted first place rather than second.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The TVK won the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies, while the DMK came second.
Stalin described the outcome as a victory in defeat, citing an increase in the DMK vote share compared with the 2026 general election.
VCK leader Thirumavalavan asked whether second place was enough for the DMK or whether it wanted first place.
Asked about Thirumavalavan’s question at DMK headquarters in Chennai, Stalin gave no answer and left in his car.
- Constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Winner
- TVK
- DMK result
- Second place in both by-elections
- Postal votes
- DMK placed first
- Questioner
- VCK leader Thirumavalavan
What people are saying
You have answered these questions yourselves. I have nothing to say.
Sources
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