With EC bypass alert, focus shifts to whether TVK will give tickets to resigned AIADMK MLAs

With the Election Commission of India on Monday announcing the by-election schedule for two of the seven vacant Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, the question on everyone’s mind now is whether the AIADMK MLAs who resigned from Madurantakam and Dharapuram (both reserved seats) to join the ruling TVK will get an opportunity to contest.

Soon after the formation of the TVK-led coalition government, 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs voted in favor of the Confidence Motion moved by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay in the Assembly. Subsequently, four AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel (Madurantakam, Chengalpattu district), S. Jayakumar (Perundurai, Erode district) and P. Sathyabama (Dharapuram, Tiruppur district) resigned their seats and immediately joined the TVK.

Later, Esakki Subbaiah (Ambasamudram), C. Vijayabaskar (Viralimalai) and MR Vijayabhaskar (Karur) also resigned their assembly membership and joined TVK. Besides, Mr. Vijay, who had won from Perambur and Tiruchi East constituencies, resigned from the seat.

However, the defeated candidates filed election petitions challenging the results in five constituencies. According to the law, the EC cannot draw attention to tenders in these seats.

As a result, the polling authority has announced skipping polls only for Madurantakam and Dharapuram on October 6.

P. Sathyabama, who resigned from the Dharapuram constituency when contacted by The Hindu, said she would seek a by-election ticket. “I will certainly look for an opportunity. However, the party leadership will accept the final challenge,” she said. On the other hand, Maragatham Kumaravel, the resigned MLA from Madurantakam, refused to comment on the matter.

As for the AIADMK, former minister RB Udhayakumar said the party will definitely fight the polls. “Our general secretary has declared that we will contest every upcoming election. We will fight this election as well. Our general secretary will make the official announcement,” he said.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 0:41 AM IST