Chief Minister Joseph Vijay Attacks DMK in Madurantakam Bypoll

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay launched a series of political attacks against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) during a campaign rally in Madurantakam on September 25, 2026. Campaigning for the October 6 Assembly bypoll, Vijay characterized the DMK as his "ultimate political enemy" and an "evil force" in Dravidian politics. He warned DMK leadership that they would "severely regret" targeting him or his party.

Vijay accused the DMK of systemic corruption, unfulfilled promises, and covering up a POCSO Act case involving industrialist R. Veeramani. He further alleged a tacit collusion between the DMK, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming the three parties are "two sides of the same coin" working together to prevent the TVK from holding power. He specifically described the AIADMK as both a "branch of the BJP" and a "local unit of the DMK.

Positioning the TVK as a clean alternative, Vijay promised inclusive development and the waiving of farm loans, though he acknowledged financial constraints regarding some campaign promises. The bypoll was triggered by the resignation of AIADMK MLA K. Maragatham Kumaravel, who joined the TVK and is now the party's nominee under the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance.