The high-decibel byelection campaign in the Assembly segments of Madurantakam (SC) in Chengalpattu district and Dharapuram (SC) in Tiruppur district ended on Sunday evening, when leaders and cadres of various political parties made a final push to canvass votes.

The stage is now set for polling on October 6. Both the Assembly segments were declared vacant following the resignation of Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama on May 25. They were elected on AIADMK tickets from Madurantakam and Dharapuram, respectively, and resigned within three weeks of being elected to the House. They switched sides to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and are in the race on behalf of the party.

Unlike recent Assembly byelections in Tamil Nadu, the polls in these two constituencies feature a five-cornered contest. The TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance are in the fray. The Left front is contesting separately, while the Naam Tamilar Katchi is going it alone.

On the last day of the campaign, TVK president and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay went on a roadshow in Dharapuram, canvassing votes for Ms. Sathyabama. Meanwhile, Minister Aadhav Arjuna and other TVK leaders campaigned for Ms. Kumaravel in Madurantakam. DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami released video messages, canvassing votes for their respective candidates. Leaders of the Left parties and Naam Tamilar Katchi also concluded their campaigns.

The ruling TVK had deployed almost all Ministers as election in-charges in these two constituencies to oversee election work. Mr. Vijay, who had conducted a relatively limited campaign during the Assembly election, had campaigned extensively in these two segments. He addressed a public meeting in each and held roadshows for several kilometres.

The alliance arithmetic has also changed when compared to the previous election. The Congress, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and the Indian Union Muslim League, which were part of the DMK-led alliance, are now with the TVK-led alliance.

The Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar), which was part of the NDA, is now extending support to the TVK. The AIADMK accused the TVK of engineering the defection of its MLAs. Mr Palaniswami and AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran had campaigned extensively in both constituencies.

PMK’s stance

The Pattali Makkal Katchi, a key constituent of the NDA that has considerable influence in northern and western Tamil Nadu, had decided not to extend support to any alliance.

The DMK also undertook an extensive campaign in both Assembly segments, with former Ministers camping and overseeing the poll work. Mr. Stalin and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin too have campaigned in both constituencies.

Counting on October 9

A total of 27 candidates are in the fray in Madurantakam, while 22 are in the contest in Dharapuram. Polling will begin at 7 a.m. on October 6 and continue until 6 p.m. Counting of votes will take place on October 9, and the results will be declared.

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