DMK general secretary and minister Durai Murugan is contesting from Katpadi in Vellore district. Party leadership had earlier considered giving the seat to a candidate of his choice due to his age, but he opted to contest and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin did not object. Durai Murugan is said to be campaigning despite difficulties.
Within the constituency, there are complaints that Durai Murugan and his son, MP Kathir Anand, have not done much even for their own party functionaries and cadre. Party sources link this discontent to the 2021 Assembly election, when Durai Murugan reportedly won by a narrow margin of 746 votes.
Ahead of the current election, local party managers have decided to intensify campaigning to ensure a larger victory margin. However, it is alleged that the Durai Murugan family has not been “looking after” party workers and cadre, while planning to focus only on voters in select areas.
Those involved are said to be citing “central agency surveillance” as the reason for avoiding broader outreach. After learning of this, the party leadership has reportedly issued a directive that to win in Katpadi, support must be extended generously and without discrimination—from party members to voters across the constituency, according to party sources.
