DMK enters the fray in Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls, likely to make it a three-cornered contest

The upcoming by-elections to Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly constituencies are shaping up to be a three-way fight in which DMK, the main opposition party, will decide to enter. Earlier on Tuesday, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami had announced that his party would field candidates in polling booths as well.

The DMK high command invited the district secretaries to Chennai to outline the strategy for the elections to the two constituencies that fell vacant after the resignation of AIADMK members who left to join the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). AIADMK has already invited applications from potential candidates.

The DMK’s decision to enter the polls put to rest speculation that it might enter into a collusion with the AIADMK against the ruling TVK. “If the DMK stays out of the contest, it will be interpreted as an understanding with the AIADMK. Moreover, as the main opposition party, we cannot avoid by-elections held after the general elections. We also do not want to give the impression that we have reservations about the poll prospects,” said a senior leader.

Although Maragatham Kumaravel, who was elected from Madurantakam, and P. Sathyabama, who was elected from Dharapuram – both reserved constituencies – are eyeing an opportunity to contest the elections, it is not clear whether they will benefit from the AIADMK vote bank as the party has fielded them in the general elections.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 23:51 IST