TVK party cadres celebrate the party’s byelection victory, in Chennai on Friday. (Poto by R Ramesh Shankar
In a counterattack, Stalin said the byelections were forced when two legislators resigned and joined TVK barely five months after the April 23 assembly election.
Responding to allegations of political deals, Vijay said voters had rejected those who mocked his two-day campaign (two days each in Madurantakam and Dharapuram). It is a victory against degrading personal attacks,” he said, calling the verdict a triumph of political decency over betrayal. Echoing the horse-trading charge, Palaniswami said TVK had poached AIADMK legislators to turn its minority govt into a majority. Calling TVK the “Temporary Victory Kazhagam”, Palaniswami said AIADMK would overcome the setback and thanked party workers and allies.
He wondered what would have happened in April’s assembly election had the then DMK govt allowed him to campaign across Tamil Nadu. “This is entirely a victory against defamatory remarks targeting women. Vijay thanked voters, alliance leaders and workers, and congratulated winners Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama. He accused Vijay of becoming chief minister through horse-trading and deploying police, money and govt machinery to secure victory. He alleged that TVK had filed false cases against the Dharapuram AIADMK candidate, intimidated party functionaries and misused official machinery. He accused Vijay of riding a bullock cart alongside a criminal wanted by police.
Earlier reporting noted: TVK’s P Sathyabama wins Dharapuram byelection; Vijay party’s Maragatham Kumaravel extends her lead in Madurantakam TVK candidate P Sathyabama with party president and Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay Earlier reporting noted: TVK’s P Sathyabama wins Dharapuram byelection; ruling party’s Maragatham Kumaravel extends her lead in Madurantakam TVK candidate P Sathyabama with party president and Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay Earlier reporting noted: TN bypolls: Ruling TVK wins first test, but vettri not impressive First test finished: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay and his cabinet colleagues after the victory of TVK candidates in the bypolls on Friday.
Vijay said TVK won without paying voters, confining them or resorting to the Thirumangalam and Erode East electoral formulas.
“This is an unprecedented victory in Tamil Nadu’s byelection history, achieved by completely dismantling the very formula of money-driven politics,” he said. CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay described TVK’s Madurantakam and Dharapuram byelection victories a rejection of money-driven politics and a rebuke to his critics. DMK president M K Stalin called it a temporary victory for betrayal, while AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged misuse of power.