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Vijay Attacks DMK, AIADMK Over Veeramani Case Ahead Of Madurantakam Bypoll
In Short
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay criticised the DMK and AIADMK during a Madurantakam campaign meeting, raising questions over the handling of the R Veeramani POCSO case.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK chief Vijay
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief C Joseph Vijay stepped up his attack on the DMK and AIADMK during a campaign meeting in Madurantakam on Friday, days ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll.
Vijay accused the two Dravidian parties of working together despite their longstanding rivalry and alleged that there was also an understanding involving the BJP. He described the contest in Madurantakam as primarily a fight between the TVK and the DMK.
The Madurantakam seat was left empty after AIADMK MLA K Maragatham Kumaravel quit the party and joined the TVK. The ruling party has re-invited the re-run of Kumaravel from the constituency.
Vijay Questions DMK Over Veeramani POCSO Case
A significant part of Vijay's speech focused on the POCSO case involving granite businessman R Veeramani.
In response to former Chief Minister and DMK chief MK Stalin, Vijay sought clarification on the way the case was handled in the past and whether there was any understanding between the DMK and AIADMK.
The allegations are made on the back of an investigation into the case. The assault was first reported in 2025 when a video of the assault of a minor, allegedly the victim, surfaced. Then a copy of FIR was lodged against Veeramani.
Police later submitted a closure report, citing insufficient evidence during the initial investigation. However, a special POCSO court rejected the report and ordered further investigation. The renewed probe subsequently led to arrests and the identification of additional alleged survivors.
Stalin Rejects Allegation Of Political Protection
Stalin has rejected allegations that the DMK government attempted to protect Veeramani, describing such claims as “false and defamatory.”
The DMK has said that there was no government order to safeguard the accused. Stalin has also declared that the rape of women and minors was dealt with during his time in power, and said the question of justice for the victims should be foremost.
The renewed political dispute has emerged alongside the expanded investigation into the case. Police are examining the earlier probe and the circumstances surrounding the closure report.
Aadhav Arjuna Questions Earlier Investigation
Aadhav Arjuna, who also addressed the Madurantakam gathering, questioned why police had initially sought to close the Veeramani case.
He referred to the FIR registered during the previous government and questioned how the investigation subsequently resulted in a closure report. Arjuna also raised allegations of possible political or family pressure.
Those allegations have not been established as facts, and the DMK has denied shielding Veeramani.
The investigation has since expanded and these police officers are looking to find out whether there were any shortcomings in the initial investigation and whether other offences and other individuals should be investigated.
Vijay Targets DMK-AIADMK Political Equation
Vijay also criticised the AIADMK over its reported engagement with the DMK, arguing that the two parties had historically portrayed each other as political adversaries.
He questioned how AIADMK supporters could accept any understanding with the DMK, referring to the positions historically taken by former AIADMK leaders MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa.
Vijay also accused the DMK leadership and members of Stalin's family of making inappropriate remarks about him and women. He said he had tolerated criticism directed at his mother but would not accept remarks targeting women in Tamil Nadu.
‘We Are The Baby Of Tamil Nadu’
Responding to criticism that the TVK is a relatively new political force, Vijay embraced the description, saying the party may be young but is the “baby of Tamil Nadu.”
He also gave highlights to the party's performance in the next Assembly election which is scheduled in 2026 and asked to make his government a government of the people and not of the leader.
Vijay defended the government's borrowing decisions, saying funds were being raised for public purposes and that its schemes and commitments would be implemented progressively.
He further alleged that attempts were being made inside the Assembly to prevent him from speaking, saying this was one reason he had raised issues during public campaign meetings.
Madurantakam Bypoll Set For October 6
The Madurantakam bypoll is one of two Assembly by-elections scheduled in Tamil Nadu on October 6, with Dharapuram being the other constituency.
Kumaravel had won Madurantakam as an AIADMK candidate in the April Assembly election before resigning and joining the TVK. The TVK later nominated her to contest the seat again. The DMK and AIADMK have also fielded candidates for the bypoll.
The campaign has been increasingly focusing on the Veeramani issue, the political shift after the defection of Kumaravel and the rivalries between the TVK, DMK and AIADMK.
Vijay concluded his Madurantakam campaign address by appealing to voters to support the TVK and its whistle election symbol, while framing the contest around what he described as attacks on women and the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu.
