Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Tamil Nadu By-Elections Test Vijay’s Young Government
People in two Tamil Nadu areas voted in special elections on Tuesday.
The candidates for TVK had won their seats for the AIADMK in April, then changed parties and resigned.
Now voters can decide whether to elect them again under their new party.
TVK leader Vijay campaigned in both places.
His party formed the government after winning many seats in April, but it did not win enough for a majority on its own.
The AIADMK says the candidates turned their backs on the people who elected them.
The DMK says voters should not have had to vote again because the representatives resigned.
Some polling places had machine problems and political arguments.
The votes will be counted on October 9.
Voters cast ballots Tuesday in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, where former AIADMK legislators are seeking re-election as TVK candidates.
TVK won 108 seats in April but formed a government with support from smaller parties after falling short of a majority.
By 11 am, turnout was 35.55% in Madurantakam and 37.28% in Dharapuram; counting is scheduled for October 9.
Polling faced EVM malfunctions and disputes, while opposition parties alleged attempts to influence voters; TVK denied cash-distribution accusations.
A separate by-election took place in Puducherry’s Thattanchavady after Chief Minister N Rangasamy vacated the seat.
- Who
- Voters in Madurantakam and Dharapuram; TVK candidates Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama, formerly elected as AIADMK legislators.
- What
- Two Tamil Nadu Assembly by-elections testing support for the TVK government and the candidates’ party switch.
- When
- Tuesday; counting is scheduled for October 9.
- Where
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu. A separate by-election was also held in Thattanchavady, Puducherry.
- Why
- The two legislators resigned from the AIADMK and joined TVK, triggering by-elections; the results may indicate voter response to the political realignment and the new government.
TVK and defecting candidates
AIADMK and DMK
Candidates’ party switch
TVK and defecting candidates
TVK’s candidates sought voters’ renewed support after leaving the AIADMK; Kumaravel said voters remained confident in Vijay and that the new government needed more time to show change.
AIADMK and DMK
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami accused the candidates of betraying the voters who elected them. The DMK described the by-elections as imposed on voters after elected representatives resigned and sought office under another party.
Alleged voter influence
TVK and defecting candidates
TVK denied accusations that it distributed cash to influence voters. Candidate P Sathyabama said a circulating video purporting to show her discussing election expenditure was fabricated.
AIADMK and DMK
Opposition parties repeatedly accused the ruling party of using money and government machinery to influence voters during the campaign.
Meaning of the result
TVK and defecting candidates
A TVK victory would support the candidates and the continuing movement of politicians and local organisations toward the ruling party.
AIADMK and DMK
A loss would give the AIADMK and DMK an opening to argue that the post-election political realignment has limits. The DMK could also point to an improved independent vote.
- TVK seats won in April
- 108; the party fell short of an outright majority and formed the government with support from smaller parties.
- Madurantakam turnout
- 35.55% at 11 am.
- Dharapuram turnout
- 37.28% at 11 am.
- Tamil Nadu candidates
- Maragatham Kumaravel is contesting in Madurantakam and P Sathyabama in Dharapuram, both for TVK after resigning from the AIADMK.
- Polling issues
- EVM problems were reported at polling stations in both constituencies, alongside disputes involving polling officials and party workers.
- Puducherry by-election
- Thattanchavady voted separately after Chief Minister N Rangasamy vacated the seat.
- Counting date
- October 9.