Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay began his campaign for the Madurantakam Assembly bypoll on 25 September 2026. On his campaign, a moment involving an MGR statue drew attention after Vijay allegedly stopped his convoy and garlanded the statue.
The gesture put the legacy of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and actor MG Ramachandran (MGR) in the spotlight as Vijay stepped up his political campaign ahead of the October 6 bypoll.
Vijay begins Madurantakam Bypoll Campaign
Vijay's campaign programme was scheduled on Friday, September 25, in Madurantakam constituency of Chengalpattu district.
The TVK leader was scheduled to speak at 3 pm at a gathering near the Athur toll plaza to address the people at that time, reported the TVK leader. The party had made special arrangements for the event and had permission to enter the place for those who had obtained permission from the police, the newspaper said.
In total, around 5,000 people were given QR-code passes for the campaign meeting.
Madurantakam bypoll is scheduled for October 6, while counting is scheduled for October 9. Vijay is campaigning for TVK candidate K Maragatham Kumaravel.
MGR Statue Moment gets Attention
During Vijay's campaign journey, his convoy stopped near an MGR statue. Vijay went out and paid tribute by garlanding the statue.
The moment was quite significant because MGR is still a prominent figure in Tamil Nadu’s political and cinema history.
Vijay, who entered politics after a long career as one of Tamil cinema’s leading actors, has made frequent reference to popular political and cultural figures in his public act.
The reported MGR tribute thus became one of the most emblematic moments from his latest campaign.
However, the exact location of the statue and the exact timing of the garlanding could not be independently confirmed from the major news reports reviewed for this article.
#WATCH | Madurantakam: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister & TVK Chief C. Joseph Vijay stops his convoy to garland the statue of AIADMK icon and former CM M.G. Ramachandran (MGR).
— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2026
The TVK chief is actively campaigning in the region ahead of the upcoming Madurantakam assembly bypoll. pic.twitter.com/dLmJOVHAOH
Campaign Comes Amid Bypoll Activity
Vijay's campaign comes as political activity increases in Madurantakam ahead of the bypoll.
AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami had already launched his party's campaign in the constituency on 24 September. At that meeting, Palaniswami criticised Vijay and TVK for the political situation surrounding the bypoll. His comments were part of the ongoing campaign battle and represent the AIADMK's position.
The Madurantakam contest is thus a key political contest for the big political parties.
Strict Crowd Management Arrangements
TVK campaign was organised with restrictions on attendance. Party officials said only people who had received authorised passes would be allowed into the event.
The party also said that QR-code passes were not issued to pregnant women, children, school students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and those who were unwell as a safety precaution. Drinking water and medical arrangements were also planned at the venue.
