Bypolls are scheduled on October 6 in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies. The elections were triggered after AIADMK MLAs who won in the last Assembly polls resigned and later joined TVK, leading to the vacancies.
Unlike the usual pattern associated with by-elections, local observers say there have been no visible signs so far of cash handouts or gift distribution in either constituency. In response, the Election Commission has deployed 18 flying squads to keep watch on potential violations.
Officials from the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate are also said to be conducting discreet monitoring of the homes and offices of key functionaries linked to TVK, DMK and AIADMK. In addition, banks have been instructed to report to the Election Commission any cash withdrawal exceeding Rs 1 lakh.
The EC is also using drones to monitor suspicious locations for possible cash distribution. TVK candidates Maragatham and Sathyabama are reportedly under special surveillance.
Senior leaders including Chief Minister Vijay, DMK president Stalin, AIADMK general secretary EPS and NTK chief coordinator Seeman are expected to campaign. With money distribution seemingly absent, there is growing curiosity over whether voter turnout will rise or fall.
In Madurantakam, a recent strategy meeting attended by Udhayanidhi, the Opposition leader, reportedly decided to deploy DMK Youth Wing functionaries for the bypoll. Party sources claim the move was prompted by seniors being unwilling to spend, while former ministers in the field have questioned where the earlier “party fund” went and urged leaders to use it for the campaign.
