Madras HC refuses to dismiss Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi’s election petition

The Madras High Court refused to dismiss an election petition filed by former minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi of the DMK challenging the victory of TVK MLA Vijayakumar alias Navalapattu Viji from the Thiruverumbur Assembly constituency in the 2026 elections.

Justice K. Kumaresh Babu said that the Election Commission of India’s guidelines not to involve children in election campaigns have the force of law and therefore the veracity of the allegation leveled against the MLA of engaging children for his campaign can only be tested during the trial. The judge rejected the MLA’s request to dismiss the petition.

Mr. Vijayakumar won the seat by winning 8,705 votes. He secured 89,837 votes against 81,132 votes obtained by the election petitioner who was his nearest rival.

Published – 07 Nov 2026 23:50 IST