Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhhav Arjuna sharply criticized the DMK party, asserting that it underestimated his side and is now in a weak position in the Madurantakam constituency.
Arjuna noted that the DMK had previously declared its intention to win 200 constituencies, but currently occupies seats in the opposition bloc. He stated: 'The DMK, which said it would win 200 constituencies, is sitting in the opposition benches. They considered us careless. They said: 'These people only know how to whistle.' This very whistle became our symbol, and we completely stunned them with this whistle.'
Furthermore, Arjuna claimed that the DMK found itself in a 'pitiful situation' in this constituency, questioning the party's ability to recover its electoral deposit. He asked: 'In this constituency, the DMK is in a pitiful state. Will the DMK even be able to recover its deposit?'
He also criticized Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin, accusing him of harming the DMK. Arjuna stated: 'Everything that comes out of Udhayanidhi's mouth is just profanity. No one else needs to come to destroy the DMK; Stalin's son is enough. Udhayanidhi Stalin came to destroy the DMK.'
The elections in the Madurantakam constituency in the Chengalpet region, adjacent to Chennai, and the Dharapuram constituency in Tiruppur region in West Tamil Nadu will take place on October 6. These elections became necessary after AIADMK legislators Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathiyabamma resigned and joined the ruling TMC party. The TMC party fielded both candidates in the same constituencies they represented after the Assembly elections in April.
This is the first time the TMC government has faced Assembly elections since taking office in May 2026. Left parties supporting the TMC government and helping it maintain a majority have not joined the coalition led by the ruling party. Instead, they are participating in the elections as a separate front. Among the candidates from major opposition parties are DMK, AIADMK, and the Tamil nationalist Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). The PMK party, dominant among Vanniyars and having significant influence in the northern parts of the state, has not supported any of the parties.
One of the key points of the opposition campaign is the assertion that the constituency elections are not a natural outcome but were imposed on voters after the TMC 'lured AIADMK MLAs' to strengthen its numbers in the Assembly. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami has already launched a campaign demanding 'justice' for what he called betrayal.