[REVISION HISTORY]

Tamil Nadu political opposition to TVK government

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2026-10-04 12:24 UTC → 2026-11-01 08:14 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Political tensions in Tamil Nadu have intensified ahead of the Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly by-elections scheduled for October 6. The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, has officially joined the INDIA opposition alliance, with both parties demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar due to concerns over electronic voting machines. Campaigning has become increasingly contentious. TVK has petitioned the Election Commission to revoke DMK President MK Stalin’s status as a star campaigner, alleging he used derogatory and body-shaming language toward TVK candidate P. Sathyabama. The party has further called for criminal proceedings under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act. In response, Stalin has questioned the ethics of TVK recruiting defected MLAs, specifically Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama, who resigned from the AIADMK to join the TVK. In Dharapuram, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) has accused TVK workers of distributing cash, silver coins, and gifts to voters, though TVK General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna has denied these claims. ~~Meanwhile,~~ AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami has ~~criticized Arjuna for party switching, and~~ characterized the defections as “horse-trading.” Meanwhile, the VCK has expressed opposition to the potential inclusion of the PMK into the TVK-led coalition. To mobilize support, Chief Minister Vijay is conducting extensive roadshows. In Dharapuram, he is scheduled to hold a 40-kilometer roadshow passing through locations such as Maruti Nagar and Periyar Statue Junction, with heightened security and barricades installed along the route. The Dharapuram contest remains a five-way race involving the TVK, DMK, AIADMK, NTK, and Communist parties.

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