TVK names former AIADMK MLAs for Tamil Nadu bypolls, setting up 3-way fight with DMK

The bypolls will be the first electoral battle in the state since the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK formed its first government with the support of allies after winning the April 23 Assembly polls.

In Short

• Former AIADMK winners resigned after April polls and later joined TVK
• Both constituencies are reserved seats with strong AIADMK bases in key regions
• Vijay's alliance will contest under the Secular Social Justice Victory Front

The ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) on Thursday named its candidates for the October 6 bypolls to two Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, setting up a direct contest with the DMK, while the AIADMK has also entered the fray.

The bypolls will be the first electoral battle in the state since the C Joseph Vijay-led TVK formed its first government with the support of allies after winning the April 23 Assembly polls.

The two seats, Madurantakam and Dharapuram, are considered AIADMK strongholds in northern and western Tamil Nadu.

In a party statement, TVK founder and Chief Minister Vijay nominated former AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama from Madurantakam and Dharapuram, respectively. Both had represented the constituencies as AIADMK legislators before joining the ruling party.

Kumaravel and Sathyabama had won the two seats in the April 23 Assembly polls as AIADMK candidates. They later resigned as MLAs and joined the TVK, resulting in the two constituencies falling vacant.

Kumaravel is currently serving as TVK deputy general secretary, while Sathyabama is the party's Tiruppur south-east district secretary.

TVK sources said the decision to field the two former MLAs again was aimed at leveraging their existing support bases in the constituencies and strengthening the ruling party's position following its government formation.

Vijay said the bypolls in both reserved constituencies would be contested under the banner of the "Secular Social Justice Victory Front", the name given to the alliance after a meeting of its leaders on Wednesday. The bloc includes the Congress and MDMK.

The DMK has fielded advocates I Parandaman, a former MLA from Madurantakam, and S Suganya from Dharapuram.

The AIADMK has also announced its candidates, with former MLA Kanitha Sampath contesting from Madurantakam and K Banumathi from Dharapuram.

The Election Commission has scheduled polling for October 6, with counting of votes set for October 9. With nominations now open, campaigning in the two constituencies is expected to intensify in the coming days.

Kumaravel had won the Madurantakam seat in Chengalpattu district in the April 23 polls, defeating her nearest rival from the TVK. Sathyabama, meanwhile, defeated DMK's Indirani T in the Dharapuram constituency in Tiruppur district.

Kumaravel has expressed confidence of retaining the Madurantakam seat, citing the performance of the TVK government.

Asked by reporters whether she could repeat her victory in the constituency considered an "AIADMK fortress", she said the government's "100-day achievements" would be taken to the people and that the party would ensure victory.

- Ends