Archive · 3 Oct 2026
CPI Leader Alleges Vote Buying Ahead of Dharapuram By-Poll
M. Veerapandian, a leader of the Communist Party of India in Tamil Nadu, said parties were offering money to influence voters in Dharapuram.
He accused some leaders of making promises about village projects just before the election.
He asked why those projects had not been completed earlier.
He also said some public facilities, such as hospitals and bus terminals, were unfinished or unused.
Veerapandian said his party would speak with voters and discuss policies and social issues.
He asked the Election Commission to help prevent people from being paid for their votes.
The by-election was scheduled for October 6.
These claims were made by Veerapandian and were not independently established in the report.
CPI Tamil Nadu secretary M. Veerapandian accused major parties, including the ruling TVK, of offering money to voters before the Dharapuram by-election.
He said some leaders were promising village development projects for electoral gain and questioned why longstanding demands had not been met earlier.
Veerapandian said public projects, including government hospitals and bus terminals, remained unfinished or unused.
He said the CPI would campaign through door-to-door outreach, policy debates and discussion of social issues.
He urged the Election Commission to act against vote-buying ahead of the October 6 poll.
- Who
- CPI Tamil Nadu secretary M. Veerapandian accused major political parties, including the ruling TVK.
- What
- He alleged that parties were offering money and making election-related development promises to influence voters.
- When
- He made the remarks on Saturday, ahead of the October 6 by-election.
- Where
- Dharapuram Assembly constituency, Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- He said vote-buying undermined democratic norms and urged action to protect the integrity of the by-election.
- By-election date
- October 6
- Constituency
- Dharapuram Assembly constituency
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Speaker
- M. Veerapandian, CPI Tamil Nadu state secretary
- Allegation
- Money and development promises were being used to influence voters, according to Veerapandian.
- CPI campaign approach
- Door-to-door voter interaction, policy debates and social issues
- Requested action
- Veerapandian called on the Election Commission to curb vote-buying.