Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Ramesh Rejects Allegation TVK Paid Voters in By-Elections
S. Ramesh, a minister from TVK, said his party did not give voters money for two by-elections.
A CPI(M) leader had accused the party of doing so.
Ramesh said anyone with proof should report it so action could be taken.
He said TVK was campaigning fairly and that its leader, C. Joseph Vijay, was meeting people in villages.
Ramesh made the comments at an event in Tiruchy for pregnant women.
At the event, he and TVK MLA Navalpattu Viji had a disagreement about who was included in parts of the ceremony.
Ramesh helped calm things down, and Viji and Congress MP Christopher Tilak later shook hands and talked.
Tamil Nadu minister S. Ramesh denied CPI(M) state secretary Shanmugam’s allegation that TVK paid voters in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections.
Ramesh said TVK was campaigning honestly and challenged anyone with evidence of cash or tiffin-box distribution to take action.
He said TVK trusted voters in the Assembly election and now had the ability to campaign widely.
Ramesh said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was visiting villages to meet people.
At a Tiruchy event, a disagreement between Ramesh and TVK MLA Navalpattu Viji over ceremony protocol was later resolved.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu minister S. Ramesh responded to an allegation by CPI(M) state secretary Shanmugam.
- What
- Ramesh denied that TVK distributed money or tiffin boxes to voters in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections.
- When
- Monday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Tiruchy, at an event for pregnant women.
- Why
- Ramesh was responding to Shanmugam’s allegation that TVK paid voters.
CPI(M) allegation
TVK response
Alleged voter payments
CPI(M) allegation
CPI(M) state secretary Shanmugam alleged that the ruling TVK distributed money to voters for the by-elections.
TVK response
S. Ramesh denied the allegation, said TVK was campaigning with integrity, and challenged anyone with proof to take action.
- Minister
- S. Ramesh, HR and CE minister
- Accuser
- CPI(M) state secretary Shanmugam
- By-election constituencies
- Madurantakam and Dharapuram
- Ramesh’s response
- He denied voter payments and invited anyone with evidence to take action.
- Event
- A community baby-shower ceremony for 242 pregnant women
- Event location
- Tiruchy
- Disagreement at event
- TVK MLA Navalpattu Viji objected to being overlooked during the lamp-lighting and group photograph.
- Resolution
- Ramesh intervened; Viji and Congress Rajya Sabha member Christopher Tilak later shook hands and chatted.