Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Stalin Calls Tamil Nadu Bypolls Death of Democracy
Tamil Nadu will hold special elections in two Assembly areas called Madurantakam and Dharapuram.
The elections are happening after two lawmakers left the AIADMK and resigned their seats to join the ruling TVK.
TVK has nominated those same former lawmakers again.
DMK leader M K Stalin says the resignations unfairly forced voters to hold new elections.
He called the bypolls a sign that democracy has been harmed.
Stalin asked people to vote for the DMK on October 6.
He also criticized the government for issues including power cuts, law and order, and illness outbreaks.
TVK says the changes were part of governance rather than horse-trading.
Stalin and TVK are also arguing about his past imprisonment and the chief minister’s leadership.
M K Stalin accused the ruling TVK of forcing bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram after two AIADMK MLAs resigned.
The bypolls are scheduled for October 6, with TVK fielding the former AIADMK MLAs in both constituencies.
Stalin urged voters to support the DMK and described the elections as an opportunity to punish the ruling party.
He criticized the government over law and order, power cuts, dengue and virus cases, and an unfulfilled women’s assistance promise.
Stalin also attacked Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over alleged arrogance, his UK tour, Assembly conduct, and public appearances.
- Who
- DMK president M K Stalin, the ruling TVK, former AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
- What
- Bypolls have been scheduled in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies after the sitting AIADMK MLAs resigned and joined TVK.
- When
- The bypolls are scheduled for October 6; the speech was delivered on a Saturday at the DMK’s Mupperum Vizha.
- Where
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies in Tamil Nadu; Stalin spoke at a party event in Chennai.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after the two MLAs resigned, and Stalin says their resignations were imposed by TVK to create elections.
DMK and Stalin’s position
TVK’s position as described
Reason for the bypolls
DMK and Stalin’s position
Stalin says the elections were imposed after TVK encouraged elected AIADMK members to resign, calling the situation a death of democracy.
TVK’s position as described
TVK rejects the characterization as horse-trading and describes the changes as part of pure governance.
Government performance
DMK and Stalin’s position
Stalin alleges failures involving law and order, power cuts, dengue and virus cases, an unfulfilled women’s assistance promise, and the chief minister’s conduct.
TVK’s position as described
The article does not provide a detailed TVK response to these specific allegations.
Stalin’s MISA imprisonment
DMK and Stalin’s position
Stalin says his incarceration under MISA is documented by Chittibabu’s prison diary and the Ismail Commission report.
TVK’s position as described
The TVK regime questioned or challenged Stalin’s account of his MISA imprisonment.
- Constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- Former parties of TVK candidates
- AIADMK
- TVK candidates
- K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama
- TVK election symbol
- Whistle
- Stalin’s party
- DMK
- Key criticisms
- Law and order, power cuts, dengue and virus cases, and an unfulfilled monthly assistance promise for women