TN Bypolls: TVK Allies to Hold First Joint Rally in Madurantakam, CM Vijay to Skip

VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, MDMK general secretary Vaiko and IUML president K.M. Khader Mohideen are expected to share the stage with TVK general secretaries N. Anand and Aadhav Arjuna.

The meeting is being held ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll in Madurantakam, with the alliance seeking to present a common platform during the final days of campaigning. The bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram are scheduled for October 6, with counting set for October 9.

Chief Minister and TVK leader C. Joseph Vijay will not attend Thursday’s joint meeting. He has conducted separate campaigning in the constituency and is scheduled to continue his campaign separately.

The absence of Vijay comes after his earlier campaign in Madurantakam, where he did not share the stage with the alliance’s other leaders. The development has prompted discussion about coordination among the newly formed alliance partners.

The proposed meeting is expected to draw around 5,000 people and will bring together senior leaders from the alliance’s constituent parties. The gathering is intended to underline the parties’ coordination as the campaign enters its final phase.

VCK general secretary D. Ravikumar said the decision to organise the common meeting followed discussions among the alliance partners on conducting a coordinated campaign.

Thirumavalavan had initially planned a separate campaign in support of the TVK candidate, following which TVK leaders proposed bringing the principal alliance leaders together on a common platform.

The alliance is facing criticism from AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who has raised allegations concerning the political developments surrounding TVK and its leadership. Alliance leaders are expected to respond to the opposition campaign during the meeting.

Ravikumar also visited the proposed venue with TVK functionaries and election coordinators to review preparations for the gathering. He said there was not enough time to organise a similar joint meeting in Dharapuram, where a bypoll is also scheduled.

With campaigning due to end on October 4, Thursday’s Madurantakam meeting will provide the alliance partners with a common platform before the final stretch of campaigning.