Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Minister alleges DMK, AIADMK split bypoll votes strategically
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam minister Nirmal Kumar made several accusations about upcoming Assembly bypolls.
He said the DMK and AIADMK may be working together even though they are running separately.
He claimed they first considered choosing one shared candidate.
He said separate candidates could divide the votes against TVK.
He also alleged that people were organized to shout against TVK candidates at public events.
Nirmal Kumar connected the issue to resignations by some AIADMK legislators.
He also defended the trustees overseeing consecration work at a Madurai temple.
The DMK and AIADMK had not responded to these allegations in the report.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam minister Nirmal Kumar accused the DMK and AIADMK of coordinating their bypoll campaigns.
He alleged the parties considered a common candidate before deciding to contest separately to divide opposition votes.
Nirmal Kumar also claimed DMK and AIADMK supporters organized slogans against TVK candidates at campaign events.
He linked the contest to AIADMK legislators’ resignations and alleged the party planned to align with the DMK.
The minister rejected political interference in Madurai temple consecration work and questioned the DMK’s treatment of former finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.
- Who
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam minister Nirmal Kumar made the allegations about the DMK and AIADMK.
- What
- He alleged that the DMK and AIADMK were coordinating while contesting separately in Assembly bypolls, and discussed related resignations and temple-management claims.
- When
- Ahead of the upcoming Assembly bypolls; the report does not specify the election date.
- Where
- The remarks were made in Chennai, and the temple dispute concerned Madurai.
- Why
- Nirmal Kumar claimed separate candidates would split votes against TVK candidates.
Nirmal Kumar’s allegations
Parties’ reported position
Separate bypoll candidates
Nirmal Kumar’s allegations
Nirmal Kumar alleged that the DMK and AIADMK decided to contest separately after considering a common candidate, in order to divide votes against TVK.
Parties’ reported position
The DMK and AIADMK had not responded to the allegation in the report, so their position was not stated.
Opposition at campaign events
Nirmal Kumar’s allegations
Nirmal Kumar claimed the two parties organized people to raise slogans against TVK candidates and said voters were not spontaneously rejecting them.
Parties’ reported position
No response from either party was reported, and the article provided no independent confirmation of the claim.
Madurai temple trustees
Nirmal Kumar’s allegations
Nirmal Kumar said the trustees independently handled the consecration work and were not directed by political leaders.
Parties’ reported position
The report refers to suggestions of political direction but does not identify a response from those making the suggestions.
- Speaker
- Nirmal Kumar, a minister of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
- Election
- Upcoming Assembly bypolls
- Main allegation
- The DMK and AIADMK coordinated while fielding separate candidates to split votes
- Common candidate claim
- Nirmal Kumar said the parties initially considered a single nominee
- Campaign claim
- He alleged opposition slogans at TVK events were organized by the two parties
- Related issue
- He linked the contest to resignations by AIADMK legislators
- Temple issue
- He said Madurai temple trustees acted independently during consecration work