TVK Faces Cash-for-Votes and Hindi Imposition Allegations in Tamil Nadu

Chief Minister Joseph Vijay conducted a massive roadshow on October 2 to campaign for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) candidate Maragatham Kumaravel ahead of the October 6 by-elections in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies. During the event, Vijay visited over 30 villages, interacting with citizens and driving a tractor through agricultural fields. The by-elections follow the resignation of Kumaravel and P Sathyabama from the AIADMK to join the ruling TVK, sparking opposition claims of horse-trading.

Simultaneously, the TVK government faces serious allegations of voter inducement. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) claimed that the ruling party is distributing cash to influence voters, with state secretary P Shanmugam asserting that voters in Madurantakam identified TVK as providing the highest amounts of money. TVK national spokesperson M Sathya Kumar denied these claims, stating the party would never give money for votes.

Adding to the political tension, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief MK Stalin accused the TVK administration of attempting to impose Hindi in the state. Stalin warned the government against altering the established two-language policy of Tamil and English, characterizing the administration as a "reels government" that caters to North Indian influencers.