Tamil Nadu Bypolls: Vijay to Campaign in Madurantakam Today, TVK Sets 5,000-Person Limit

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay is scheduled to campaign in Madurantakam on Friday ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll. According to TVK headquarters general secretary and Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N Anand, Vijay will address supporters near the Athur toll plaza in Chengalpattu at around 3 pm.

The party has capped attendance at the campaign event at 5,000 people in line with police safety guidelines. Entry will be permitted only to those carrying QR-code passes issued after prior approval. As part of the safety arrangements, TVK has decided not to issue passes to pregnant women, children, school students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and those who are unwell. The party has also made arrangements for drinking water and medical assistance at the venue.

The Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies are heading for bypolls after sitting AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama resigned from their seats. Both had won the constituencies in the April 2026 Assembly elections on the AIADMKs Two Leaves symbol before later joining the ruling TVK. TVK has nominated Maragatham Kumaravel from Madurantakam and P Sathyabama from Dharapuram. Both candidates are contesting on the partys Whistle symbol, with their switch from the AIADMK becoming a major campaign issue.

The bypolls are being contested by TVK under its Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance, which includes the Congress, VCK and MDMK. The party has also announced 40 star campaigners, among them Vijay, Congress leader Manickam Tagore, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan and MDMK general secretary Vaiko. In Madurantakam, 28 of the 48 nominations submitted were cleared during scrutiny. In Dharapuram, 22 of the 51 nominations were declared valid.

Key candidates in Madurantakam include TVKs Maragatham Kumaravel, DMKs I Paranthamen, AIADMKs S Kanitha Sampath, along with nominees from the CPI(M) and Naam Tamilar Katchis K Janakiraman. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami is campaigning in both constituencies. DMK president M K Stalin and NTK coordinator Seeman are also expected to campaign for their respective party candidates. TVK members have started preparations at a 10-acre location near Vajragiri Hills in Acharapakkam for another public meeting featuring Vijay on September 28. The Madras High Court on Thursday rejected a petition seeking a stay on the October 6 bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram. Voting in both constituencies will take place on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.