Three-corner battle in Madurantakam, Dharapuram bypolls as TVK, DMK, AIADMK name candidates
The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has announced its candidates for the October 6 by-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies, setting the stage for a three-way political contest.
The bypolls are particularly significant as they mark the first electoral test for the C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government after it came to power following the April 23 Assembly elections with support from its allies.
Both constituencies have traditionally been regarded as strong areas for the AIADMK.
TVK has chosen former AIADMK legislators K. Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama for the two seats. Kumaravel will contest Madurantakam, while Sathyabama has been named the candidate for Dharapuram.
Both politicians had won these constituencies on AIADMK tickets in the April 23 polls. They subsequently resigned from the Assembly after joining TVK, creating the vacancies that have now led to the by-elections.
Kumaravel currently serves as TVK deputy general secretary, while Sathyabama is the party’s Tiruppur south-east district secretary.
Party sources said the decision to field the former MLAs again was aimed at making use of their established local networks and support bases.
The two constituencies will be contested by the TVK-led “Secular Social Justice Victory Front”, an alliance that includes the Congress and MDMK.
The DMK has nominated I. Parandaman, a former MLA, in Madurantakam and S. Suganya in Dharapuram. The AIADMK has fielded former MLA Kanitha Sampath from Madurantakam and K. Banumathi from Dharapuram.
The Election Commission has fixed October 6 as polling day, while counting will take place on October 9. With the nomination process underway, the constituencies are expected to witness an intense campaign in the weeks ahead.