Archive · 22 Sep 2026
TVK Drops Alliance Leaders From Star Campaigners List
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, or TVK, is preparing for two by-elections.
It had listed several leaders from partner parties as star campaigners.
The list included Thol Thirumavalavan, Vaiko and Manickam Tagore.
Opposition parties questioned whether people from other parties could be placed on TVK’s list.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam asked the Election Commission to review and cancel the original list.
TVK then removed several of the alliance leaders’ names.
This does not necessarily stop those leaders from campaigning for TVK candidates.
The main question is how their campaign activities and expenses should be recorded under election rules.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam removed several alliance leaders from its star campaigners list for the October 6 bypolls.
The original list included Thol Thirumavalavan, Vaiko, Manickam Tagore and K M Khader Mohideen.
The changes followed objections from Opposition parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam asked the Election Commission to cancel the original list, citing Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The removal does not prevent alliance leaders from campaigning, but their campaign-related expenses may be treated differently under election rules.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and several alliance leaders, with objections raised by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
- What
- TVK removed several alliance leaders from its star campaigners list after questions were raised about their inclusion.
- When
- The change occurred before the October 6 bypolls.
- Where
- The bypolls are in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Opposition parties questioned whether leaders belonging to other parties could receive the status and expenditure-related treatment of TVK star campaigners under Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Opposition parties’ objections
TVK’s revised campaign position
Eligibility for star-campaigner status
Opposition parties’ objections
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam argued that leaders who belong to other political parties should not be included in TVK’s star campaigners list.
TVK’s revised campaign position
TVK withdrew several names, but no Election Commission finding cited in the report declares that the original list was illegal.
Campaigning by alliance leaders
Opposition parties’ objections
The objections focus on whether alliance leaders’ participation should receive the treatment applicable to TVK’s own star campaigners, particularly for election expenses.
TVK’s revised campaign position
Removing the names does not prevent alliance leaders from campaigning for TVK candidates; the separate issue is how that activity and related expenditure will be recorded.
- Election date
- October 6
- Constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Original list
- Included alliance leaders from the VCK, MDMK, Congress and IUML, among others
- Removed leaders mentioned
- Thol Thirumavalavan, Vaiko, Manickam Tagore and K M Khader Mohideen
- Objecting party
- Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
- Legal provision cited
- Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Election authority involved
- Election Commission