TN Bypoll Battle Heats Up as TVK, AIADMK Focus on Former MLAs' Defections

Campaigning for the October 6 Assembly by-elections in the SC-reserved Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies is set to intensify next week, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami preparing to hit the campaign trail.

The bypolls have brought the defection of two former AIADMK MLAs to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to the centre of the political contest.

Maragatham Kumaravel, who represented Madurantakam, and P Sathyabama, the former MLA from Dharapuram, had won the two seats on AIADMK tickets in the 2026 Assembly elections. However, both resigned less than a month after their victories and joined the TVK.

The TVK has now fielded both former legislators on its whistle symbol, while the AIADMK is seeking to reclaim the seats with S Kanitha Sampath in Madurantakam and K Banumathi in Dharapuram.

Palaniswami is scheduled to campaign in Madurantakam on September 24, 25 and October 3, and in Dharapuram on September 27, 28 and October 2. The party has named 40 star campaigners for the bypolls.

The AIADMK campaign is expected to focus on allegations that the former legislators betrayed the mandate of voters by switching parties soon after their election.

Vijay is also scheduled to campaign for the TVK candidates, with the dates expected to be announced shortly.

The contests have also drawn candidates from the DMK, Naam Tamilar Katchi and the Left parties. DMK has fielded I Paranthaman and S Suganya, while NTK candidates are K Janaki Raman and M Karthika. CPI(M)'s P Suganthi is contesting Madurantakam and CPI's P Lakshmanan Dharapuram.

Adding another dimension, PMK has decided not to support any party in the bypolls.

The electorate in both constituencies will vote on October 6, with the contests set to highlight the political impact of party defections and realignment.