TVK poll won verdict on four months of good governance: Minister Arunraj

KG Arunraj. File | Photo credit: M. Srinath

Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister KG Arunraj on Saturday (October 10, 2026) described the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) victory in the Dharapuram and Madurantakam assembly elections as a verdict on four months of good governance and said more victories would follow.

Talking to reporters after performing rituals for his Cauvery ancestors at Bhavani Kooduthurai on the occasion of Purattasi Mahalaya Amavasya, he said TVK won without distributing money or restricting voters, instead relying on the government’s achievements. He accused DMK and AIADMK of spreading false propaganda against the party.

Reacting to DMK president MK Stalin describing the by-election results as a “temporary victory for betrayal”, Mr Arunraj said the people knew who had betrayed them. Rejecting the suggestion that the victory in Dharapuram was close, he claimed that TVK had won without distributing the money. He accused AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami of betraying his party and alleged that AIADMK cadres had accepted the leadership of TVK president C. Joseph Vijay.

“Dengue situation under control”

Regarding dengue prevention, Mr. Arunraj said the situation was under control and there was no need to detain the public. Adequate personnel were deployed for mosquito operations and facilities were available to treat patients who contracted fever, he said.

On preparations for the Northeast Monsoon, he claimed that the previous regime had claimed that 80% to 95% of the rainwater drainage works had been completed but the reality was different. The current government has taken up the work and the Chief Minister has held three review meetings. The work is expected to be completed by the end of October, before the monsoon.

“The health workers should have presented the demands to the government.”

On protest by mid-level health workers, Mr. Arunraj said they should have presented their demands to him or the health minister before resorting to agitation. He alleged that former DMK minister Mano Thangaraj’s insistence on attending the talks delayed the talks. The workers presented a 21-point charter of demands and the government invited them to another round of negotiations. Their demands will be resolved amicably, he said.

Published – October 10, 2026 12:16 PM IST