Tamil Nadu out of polls: After DMK complains to EC, TVK drops alliance party leaders from list of star activists

DMK Organization Secretary RS Bharathi. File | Photo credit: Bijoy Ghosh

The ruling TVK on Monday (September 21, 2026) dropped the names of its alliance party leaders from its list of star activists for the upcoming Madurantakam and Dharapuram assembly polls, hours after the DMK filed an objection petition with the Election Commission (EC).

Earlier in the day, DMK organizing secretary RS Bharathi filed a complaint with the EC urging it to delist TVK. The DMK said it violated the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Model Code of Conduct.

TVK appointed Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) Manickam Tagore, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, Minister Vanni Arasu (VCK), D. Ravikumar (MP VCK), VCK senior leader Sinthanai Selvan, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, party MP Durai Vaiko and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader KM Kader Mohideen in her ‘list’ campaign.

What does the DMK complaint say?

In his complaint to Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, Mr. Bharathi said that Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act uses the terms “leaders of a political party” and “of that political party” in providing for the exemption of their travel expenses from being included in the election expenditure accounts of individual candidates.

“Under these legal provisions, a political party can designate only its own leaders and office-bearers as star fighters. No provision of the law allows a party to designate leaders or office-bearers of another recognized political party as its own star fighters,” he said.

Mr. Bharathi pointed out that as per the guidelines issued periodically by the Election Commission of India, a political party was required to list only its own leaders. Even in the case of alliance partners, according to him, declaring the leader of one party to be the official “star agitator” of another party was tantamount to misuse of exemption from election expenses.

He said the recognition of individuals from other parties as star party campaigners created a risk that campaign expenses, including travel and accommodation, would be illegally exempted instead of being deducted from candidates’ election expenditure limits in their respective constituencies.

“This completely undermines the level playing field. I would also like to emphasize here that it is completely contrary to the basic principle of the electoral commission, which is to hold free and fair elections,” he said.

Mr. Bharathi also urged the Election Commission to issue guidelines to ensure that if leaders of other parties campaign for TVK candidates, all related expenses are fully included in the election expenditure accounts of individual candidates.

Published – 21 Sep 2026 13:29 IST