AIADMK and the BJP have criticised TVK over its list of “star campaigners” announced for by-election campaigning, alleging that it improperly includes leaders from allied and other political parties.
AIADMK MP Inbathurai questioned how leaders such as Vaiko and Thirumavalavan—who head separate political parties—could be included in another party’s star speakers list. He noted that parties must submit the list to the Election Commission within seven days of the election notification.
He added that since the deadline has passed, if those named campaign, Election Commission rules would require the entire cost of their campaigning to be added to TVK candidates’ election expenditure accounts.
BJP Tamil Nadu secretary Thiyagarajan said TVK’s list reportedly includes Congress Tamil Nadu leader Manickam Tagore, VCK leader Thirumavalavan, minister Vanni Arasu, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Durai Vaiko, and Muslim League leader Khader Mohideen, among others. Citing Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, he argued that only members of the concerned party can be declared star campaigners, and alleged that the Election Commission’s approval of such a list creates an impression of bias in favour of the ruling side.
