Tamil Nadu byelections: Madurantakam and Dharapuram set for a five-way battle as campaign ends
The campaign for the upcoming byelections in the Madurantakam constituency in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram in Tiruppur district came to an end on Sunday, setting the stage for polling on October 6.
The two seats fell vacant after former AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama resigned on May 25, less than three weeks after entering the Assembly. Both subsequently joined the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and are now contesting the byelections as TVK nominees.
The contests are unusually crowded compared with recent Tamil Nadu Assembly byelections, with candidates representing five political groupings. The TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance are competing alongside the Left parties and Naam Tamilar Katchi, which are contesting independently.
TVK president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made a final campaign push in Dharapuram with a roadshow supporting Sathyabama. In Madurantakam, Minister Aadhav Arjuna and other senior TVK leaders campaigned for Kumaravel.
DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami appealed to voters through video messages. Left party leaders and Naam Tamilar Katchi representatives also wrapped up their campaigns.
The ruling TVK has put substantial organisational strength behind the two contests, assigning several Ministers to oversee election operations. Vijay, who maintained a comparatively low-profile campaign during the previous Assembly election, has taken a more prominent role this time, addressing public meetings and conducting lengthy roadshows in both constituencies.
The political equations have also shifted significantly since the previous election. The Congress, MDMK, VCK and Indian Union Muslim League, which were earlier constituents of the DMK-led alliance, are now part of the TVK-led front.
Madurantakam has 27 candidates in the fray, while Dharapuram has 22. Voting will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on October 6. Counting is scheduled for October 9, when the results will be announced.