Tamil Nadu bypolls: Vijay’s TVK names candidates for two key seats
Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has named K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama as its candidates for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly bypolls, with voting scheduled for October 6.
TVK has fielded K Maragatham Kumaravel from Madurantakam (SC) and P Sathyabama from Dharapuram (SC) for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly by-elections.
The two constituencies became vacant after the resignations of Kumaravel and Sathyabama, who subsequently joined TVK, according to the information provided.
TVK leader S Vijayadharani expressed confidence that both candidates would win the bypolls.
Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Vijayadharani claimed there was a “clear wave” in favour of TVK and said people had shown an inclination towards the party's governance during its first 100 days.
She also said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay would visit the constituencies to campaign for the candidates.
AIADMK to contest both seats
The AIADMK has also decided to contest the Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls, according to party sources cited by PTI.
Senior AIADMK leaders met BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran at the Tamil Nadu BJP headquarters in Chennai to seek the party's support. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami also held discussions with party leaders on the electoral strategy for the two constituencies.
The AIADMK is expected to contest the seats with the support of its alliance partners.
The contests are significant for TVK as the party seeks to establish its electoral strength in Tamil Nadu.
When are the Tamil Nadu bypolls?
The Election Commission of India has scheduled polling for October 6, 2026, with counting set for October 9.
The key dates are:
| Election process | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification | September 9 |
| Last date for nominations | September 16 |
| Scrutiny of nominations | September 17 |
| Last date for withdrawal | September 19 |
| Polling | October 6 |
| Counting | October 9 |
The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in Madurantakam and Dharapuram following the notification.
The two contests provide an early electoral test for TVK and its organisation at the constituency level.
The party is seeking to turn its political presence and the claimed support for the government's first 100 days into votes. However, Vijayadharani's assessment of a “clear wave” is a political claim by a TVK leader, rather than an independently established measure of voter sentiment.
The AIADMK's decision to contest both seats also sets up a direct electoral contest involving the established opposition party and the relatively new TVK.