CM Vijay Hails Dharapuram Bypoll Win Over ‘Defamatory Remarks Against Women’; Stalin Calls It ‘Temporary Victory For Betrayal’

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, has won the Dharapuram Assembly bypoll and was leading in Madurantakam as counting reached round 21 of 27, triggering a political confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

TVK candidate P Sathyabama won the Dharapuram Scheduled Caste (SC) constituency with 66,841 votes, defeating DMK candidate Suganya, who secured 57,370 votes, by a margin of 9,471 votes.

Reacting to the results on Friday, DMK president M K Stalin described the bypolls as a “blatant murder of democracy”, calling TVK’s gains an “interim victory for betrayal” and claiming that the “downfall of fake image politics” had begun.

Vijay, meanwhile, targeted the DMK over remarks directed at women during the election campaign, portraying TVK’s victory as a rejection of what he described as defamatory comments against women.

Vijay Targets DMK Over Remarks Against Women

The controversy centred on remarks made by Stalin during the Dharapuram bypoll campaign, when he referred to TVK candidate P Sathyabama as “Petti Bama” (suitcase Bama).

TVK criticised the expression as derogatory and used the controversy to question the DMK’s treatment of women candidates. Vijay subsequently argued that the electoral outcome reflected voters’ opposition to defamatory speech targeting women.

Stalin Calls TVK’s Win An ‘Interim Victory For Betrayal’

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

Questioning why the bypolls were required barely five months after the Assembly elections, Stalin alleged that the public mandate had been undermined after two elected legislators resigned and immediately joined the ruling party.

“This was a blatant democratic murder,” he said, arguing that the resignations had made the by-elections necessary.

Stalin further alleged that TVK contested the polls with the backing of government authority, financial resources and the police force. He also criticised Vijay’s campaign approach, accusing the Chief Minister of relying on his cinematic image rather than political experience and party organisation.

Referring to Vijay’s campaign activities, including drinking tea, driving a tractor and plucking drumsticks, Stalin said the Chief Minister had spent four days campaigning across the two constituencies because he viewed victory as essential for his political survival.

The DMK chief also alleged excessive campaign expenditure, pointing to crowds brought in from outside the constituencies, road barricades and claims surrounding election spending.

Stalin Alleges Poll Code Violations, Voter Intimidation

Stalin accused the TVK government of announcing welfare initiatives after the election schedule had been declared. These allegedly included an expansion of free bus travel for women and schemes named Thaimaaman Thangamothiram and Anna Seer.

He claimed the announcements violated election conduct rules and alleged that money and prizes were distributed to influence voters. Stalin also cited videos and media interviews that he said pointed to excessive campaign spending.

The DMK president further accused the ruling party of spreading misinformation, using the police to intimidate political opponents and threatening government employees during polling.

Stalin also alleged that a 17-year-old had been arrested and claimed voters were warned that their constituencies would not receive government assistance if they did not support TVK.

Citing an account reportedly given by an elderly woman to the media, he said she had been instructed to vote for the DMK’s sun symbol but instead pressed the whistle symbol associated with TVK.

These allegations were made by Stalin in his criticism of the bypoll process.

‘Downfall Of Fake Image Politics Has Begun’

Dismissing TVK’s performance as temporary, Stalin described the results as an “interim victory for betrayal” and claimed that the political image built around Vijay was beginning to weaken.

He argued that the Chief Minister’s public persona, which he characterised as being built around promises to solve problems through brief speeches, had come under pressure within four months of taking office.

Stalin also criticised TVK’s electoral arrangements, alleging that the party had joined hands with political groups that Vijay had previously attacked. He accused the Chief Minister of focusing his campaign rhetoric on the DMK without significantly reducing the party’s influence.

Claiming that votes cast against the defecting legislators amounted to a rejection of the government, Stalin argued that the ruling party had again failed to secure the support of a majority of voters.

The Dharapuram victory marks a significant electoral development for TVK, while the counting trend in Madurantakam and the sharp exchange between Vijay and Stalin have intensified the political battle between the two parties.