AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched a blistering attack on Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and its chief, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, during the campaign for Madurantakam Assembly by-election on September 24, 2026.
Palaniswami was campaigning for AIADMK candidate Kanitha Sampath ahead of the October 6 by-election. His speech focussed on the defection of former AIADMK MLA Maragatham Kumaravel, who resigned from the Assembly seat after winning on an AIADMK ticket and later joined TVK.
Palaniswami calls Bypoll a result of ‘Horse-Trading’
Palaniswami contended that the Madurantakam by-election had been created due to what he called “horse-trading.” He accused TVK of recruiting AIADMK legislators and said voters should respond to the defections through the by-election.
Palaniswami contends that voters had elected Kumaravel on an AIADMK ticket and her subsequent move to TVK had led to the vacancy and the need for a fresh election. The AIADMK leader said it was a betrayal to the voters and party members.
Palaniswami's political claim is horse-trading. TVK leaders have also rejected or disputed AIADMK's characterisation of the defections.
Attack on Vijay’s Working Style
Palaniswami also targeted Vijay over his role as Chief Minister. In his speech, he questioned Vijay’s availability and criticised what he portrayed as a weekend-based working schedule.
A Tamil Oneindia report on September 24 quoted Palaniswami as saying that Vijay goes home on Friday evening and returns to work only on Monday morning. Palaniswami attacked what he termed “part-time politics” and questioned whether it could solve people’s problems.
The remarks came as Vijay was preparing to campaign in the constituency for TVK candidate Kumaravel.
Madurantakam becomes key bypoll battle
The Madurantakam by-election was triggered when Kumaravel resigned from the Assembly and joined TVK. TVK has selected her again from the constituency while AIADMK has selected Kanitha Sampath. The election will take place on October 6, 2026. A number of parties will contest the election for the seat.
The contest has therefore become an important political battle between AIADMK and the newly formed TVK, and defections have become a major issue in the campaign.
