Why Is Vijay Silent on CEC Removal Demand? Stalin Questions TVK Chief

DMK president M K Stalin on Saturday questioned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's silence over concerns about electoral integrity and the nationwide demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Addressing an election rally at Madurantakam ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll, Stalin said political parties across the country, barring the BJP and its allies, had raised their voice seeking the CEC's removal.

“Massive protests took place nationwide, including in Mumbai and Delhi, but has Chief Minister Vijay uttered a single word?” Stalin asked, referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Stalin alleged that the voting rights of more than 13 crore citizens had been compromised under the present system. He also alleged that election results had been manipulated in several states and questioned whether a leader who remained silent on such a critical issue could be considered a genuine political leader.

The DMK chief further alleged that the TVK's “veil” would soon be torn off, claiming the party had a covert understanding with the government at the Centre.

Describing the Vijay government as a “mysterious corporate mafia” rather than a functioning democratic administration, Stalin urged voters to deliver a decisive defeat to the TVK in the bypolls.

He also accused the government of reversing the progress achieved during the DMK's previous five-year tenure, including on price stability and revenue growth.

Stalin appealed to voters in Madurantakam and Dharapuram to support DMK candidates I Paranthaman and S Suganya, respectively, and reject what he termed arrogance and betrayal in politics.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, campaigning in Dharapuram, accused TVK candidates P Sathyabama and Maragatham Kumaravel of betraying voters' trust by switching their political allegiance from AIADMK to TVK. He appealed to voters to ensure a decisive DMK victory.