Vijay Hails TVK’s Bypoll Wins, Stalin Calls Results a ‘Temporary Victory for Betrayal’

Vijay described the electoral outcome as a rejection of what he called defamatory remarks targeting women. Meanwhile, DMK president M K Stalin criticised the bypolls, calling them a “blatant murder of democracy” and describing TVK’s victories as a “temporary victory for betrayal”.

TVK’s P Sathyabama Wins Dharapuram

TVK candidate P Sathyabama won the Dharapuram Assembly by-election after securing 66,841 votes. She defeated DMK candidate S Suganya, who received 57,370 votes, by a margin of 9,471 votes.

The bypoll was necessitated after Sathyabama, who had previously won the seat as an AIADMK legislator, resigned and joined TVK.

In Madurantakam, TVK candidate Maragatham Kumaravel also won the by-election, according to reports published after the counting. The two contests were seen as an early electoral test for Vijay’s party following its rise to power in Tamil Nadu.

Vijay Targets DMK Over Remarks Against Women

Reacting to the results, Vijay targeted the DMK over a controversy involving remarks made by Stalin during the Dharapuram election campaign.

Stalin had referred to Sathyabama as “Petti Bama”, a comment that TVK described as derogatory. Vijay and his party leaders accused the DMK president of making inappropriate remarks about a woman candidate.

Vijay argued that the election result reflected voters’ disapproval of what he characterised as defamatory speech aimed at women. The controversy had become a prominent issue during the campaign, with TVK using it to criticise the DMK’s treatment of women in politics.

Stalin Calls Bypolls A ‘Blatant Murder Of Democracy’

In a social media post, Stalin thanked voters who supported candidates from the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance in Dharapuram and Madurantakam. He also acknowledged party workers, leaders and alliance partners who campaigned in the constituencies.

However, the DMK chief questioned why the by-elections were required only five months after the Assembly elections. He alleged that the public mandate had been undermined when two elected legislators resigned and joined the ruling TVK.

Calling the situation a “blatant murder of democracy”, Stalin argued that the resignations had made fresh elections necessary.

He also accused TVK of using government authority, financial resources and the police during the campaign. Stalin criticised Vijay’s campaign approach, alleging that the Chief Minister relied heavily on his cinematic image rather than political experience and organisational strength.

Stalin Alleges Poll Code Violations And Voter Intimidation

Stalin further accused the ruling party of announcing welfare initiatives after the election schedule had been declared. He cited proposals related to free travel for women and schemes named Thaimaaman Thangamothiram and Anna Seer, alleging that the announcements violated election conduct rules.

The DMK president also claimed that money and prizes had been distributed to influence voters. He alleged excessive campaign spending, the use of crowds brought in from outside the constituencies, misinformation and intimidation of political opponents.

Stalin additionally accused the ruling party of using the police to pressure opponents and threatening government employees during polling. He alleged that a 17-year-old had been arrested and claimed that some voters were warned that their constituencies could be denied government assistance if they did not support TVK.

These allegations were made by Stalin in his criticism of the election process; the supplied report does not independently establish them.

‘Downfall Of False Image Politics Has Begun’

Dismissing TVK’s victories as temporary, Stalin claimed that the political image built around Vijay was beginning to weaken. He argued that the Chief Minister’s prmise to address public concerns through brief speeches had lost its appeal within months of his taking office.

Stalin also criticised TVK’s electoral arrangements, accusing the party of joining hands with political groups that Vijay had previously opposed. He alleged that the Chief Minister had focused his campaign attacks on the DMK without significantly diminishing its political influence.

The DMK chief maintained that the bypoll results did not represent a lasting endorsement of the ruling party. He claimed that the wider voting pattern showed continued opposition to the government, despite TVK’s wins in the two constituencies.

The exchange marks an early confrontation between Vijay’s government and the DMK over both electoral legitimacy and the tone of political campaigning in Tamil Nadu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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