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Vijay’s Four-Day Campaign Raises Stakes in Tamil Nadu Bypolls
Tamil Nadu is holding elections again in two Assembly seats.
The seats became vacant after two AIADMK lawmakers resigned and joined Vijay’s party, the TVK.
Both are now trying to win those seats as TVK candidates.
Vijay spent four days campaigning, even though he campaigned less during the Assembly election that brought him to power.
The TVK hopes a win will show that voters support the party as well as the politicians who switched sides.
The AIADMK says voters should not have to elect the same politicians again under a different party.
The DMK is also using the elections to test its support without its former alliance partners.
Some opponents accused the TVK of handing out cash, but the TVK denied it.
The votes are due on October 6, and the results are expected on October 9.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief C Joseph Vijay spent four days campaigning for by-elections in Madurantakam and Dharapuram.
The two seats were vacated by AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, who joined the TVK and are now running as its candidates.
Voting is scheduled for October 6, with results expected on October 9; a TVK win could encourage further defections from the AIADMK.
The DMK is contesting without its Assembly-election alliance, while the CPI and CPI(M) are running separately.
Opposition figures alleged TVK cash-for-votes activity; the party denied the allegations and said it opposes vote-buying.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief C Joseph Vijay, with TVK candidates Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama; the AIADMK and DMK are also contesting.
- What
- By-elections in two Assembly constituencies are testing support for the TVK, the former AIADMK legislators who joined it, and the opposition parties.
- Where
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- Voting is scheduled for October 6; results are expected on October 9. The article says the seats were vacated within weeks of the April Assembly election.
- Why
- The seats became vacant after AIADMK legislators resigned and joined the TVK; the result may indicate whether their voters and political supporters have followed them.
Opposition arguments and allegations
TVK position and political stakes
Defectors and voter choice
Opposition arguments and allegations
The AIADMK argues that voters elected Sathyabama as an AIADMK candidate in April and should not be asked to elect the same person again for another party.
TVK position and political stakes
The TVK is fielding former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama; a win would suggest that voters have followed them into the TVK.
Cash-for-votes allegations
Opposition arguments and allegations
Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the TVK of distributing cash in Dharapuram, while CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam said villagers reported that several parties were distributing money and the TVK was paying the most.
TVK position and political stakes
The TVK categorically denied the allegations and said it opposes cash-for-votes politics.
Meaning of the result
Opposition arguments and allegations
The DMK can present a substantial improvement in its vote share, even without its former alliance, as evidence that its electoral strength remains; the AIADMK faces a test of whether its party label still helps its former representatives win.
TVK position and political stakes
The TVK sees the bypolls as a test of whether support for Vijay and his political movement persists after the Assembly election and could help attract more AIADMK members.
Key facts
- Constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Voting date
- October 6
- Result date
- October 9
- TVK candidates
- Maragatham Kumaravel in Madurantakam and P Sathyabama in Dharapuram
- Campaign
- Vijay spent four days campaigning: two days at public rallies and two on roadshows.
- Madurantakam roadshow
- The article describes a 45-kilometre route through more than 30 villages.
- Assembly context
- The April election returned the TVK with 108 seats, 10 short of the 118 needed for an absolute majority in the 234-member Assembly.
Quotes
Senior TVK leader
A senior leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
“With this much campaigning by Vijay himself, we should get 50% of the votes.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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