Madurantakam by-election: Will the AIADMK ‘bastion’ fall to TVK’s growing popularity?
Maragatham Kumaravel, a former AIADMK leader, now seeks re-election as the TVK’s candidate after resigning as AIADMK MLA barely three weeks after the 2026 result; while some voters are undecided, some say they may not vote for the TVK despite the CM’s popularity
The 2026 Madurantakam by-election in Tamil Nadu has drawn attention due to the recent resignation of five AIADMK MLAs, including former Lok Sabha member Maragatham Kumaravel, who now supports the TVK. This move has raised questions about the AIADMK's stronghold in the constituency. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay held a four-and-a-half-hour roadshow in Madurantakam to garner support for his party, but concerns are mounting as the turnout of people does not always translate to votes.
The ruling AIADMK's alliance with the PMK, which had a significant Vanniyar following, may be crucial in the outcome. However, the party's stance on the by-election remains unclear due to a recent fallout with AIADMK over candidate selection. The DMK, CPI(M), AIADMK, and other parties are vying for support, with each candidate highlighting the electorate's grievances, such as rising prices, electricity tariffs, and changes in the rural employment guarantee scheme.
The electorate, particularly the Scheduled Caste community, which is the largest group, is split, and the outcome remains uncertain.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
