With EC bypoll notification, focus shifts to whether TVK will give tickets to resigned AIADMK MLAs

The Election Commission of India has recently notified bypoll schedules for two Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, Madurantakam and Dharapuram, both of which were previously held by AIADMK MLAs who have since joined the ruling TVK-led coalition government. This has sparked speculation regarding whether these resigned MLAs will be given a chance to contest the upcoming polls.

Following the formation of the TVK-led coalition government, 25 rebel AIADMK MLAs, including Maragatham Kumaravel, S. Jayakumar, and P. Sathyabama, voted in favor of a Motion of Confidence proposed by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. Subsequently, four AIADMK MLAs - Maragatham Kumaravel, S. Jayakumar, P. Sathyabama, and two others - resigned their seats to join the ruling party. Additionally, TVK leader E. Vijay and other MLAs had also resigned their Assembly membership to join the coalition.

However, the Election Commission has not been able to notify bypolls in these constituencies due to a legal challenge filed by losing candidates. Consequently, the poll body has decided to hold bypolls only in Madurantakam and Dharapuram on October 6. P. Sathyabama, who resigned from the Dharapuram constituency, expressed her intention to seek a ticket in the by-election, stating that she will definitely try for an opportunity, but the final decision will be taken by the party leadership.

Maragatham Kumaravel, the resigned MLA from Madurantakam, did not comment on the matter. As for the AIADMK's stance, former minister R.B. Udhayakumar stated that the party will definitely contest the polls, asserting that they will contest every upcoming election as part of their commitment.