Palaniswami Attacks Chief Minister Vijay Ahead of Dharapuram By-Poll
AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused Chief Minister Vijay of administrative negligence and prioritizing social media over governance during campaign rallies in Tamil Nadu.
AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami launched a series of attacks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during campaign rallies in Dharapuram and Tiruppur. Palaniswami accused the state government of administrative negligence, specifically citing a failure to release irrigation water that has damaged crops and left residents without drinking water. He further alleged that Vijay is "running the government on reels," prioritizing publicity stunts and social media over addressing the concerns of MLAs and ministers.
During his Tiruppur campaign, Palaniswami accused the TVK of targeting opposition workers and failing to manage inflation and dengue outbreaks. He also questioned the government's accountability regarding a September 2025 stampede in Karur that killed 41 people, noting that a CBI investigation is ongoing. Palaniswami rejected claims from TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna that the AIADMK could be dissolved, asserting that the party would rise despite attempts to suppress it.
These confrontations precede the October 6 Assembly by-polls in the reserved constituencies of Dharapuram and Maduranthakam. The Dharapuram seat became vacant after P. Sathyabama resigned from the AIADMK to join the TVK, where she is now the candidate. Chief Minister Vijay is scheduled to hold a grand public meeting in Dharapuram on September 30 to support Sathyabama, with 2,000 police personnel deployed for security. Vote counting for the by-elections will take place on October 9.
