The filing of nominations for the by-elections in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituencies has been completed. With candidates from TVK, DMK, AIADMK, the Communist Party, and Naam Tamilar Katchi set to enter the fray, the other parties that are not contesting are stating their positions. Only the PMK, which could decide victory or defeat in Madurantakam, has still not announced its stance and is keeping the suspense alive.
The top family figure in the Sun party reportedly spoke directly with the PMK leadership and tried saying, “Come over to our alliance... we too are pursuing OBC politics.” The Leaf party leaders are also said to be pleading, “Please declare your support for us.” But the PMK leadership is reportedly not giving in to either side. Since the ruling side has also approached the PMK leadership through various channels, some Leaf party functionaries are said to fear that the PMK may announce, “We are boycotting the by-election”!
'Are they going to give the seat again only to those who came from the AIADMK in the Madurantakam and Dharapuram constituency by-elections?' local TVK functionaries are fuming. In particular, TVK functionaries are carrying out a non-cooperation movement, saying they do not want to work for the Dharapuram TVK candidate Sathyabama. In this situation, when Minister Sengottaiyan, who had come to Erode on the 14th, was speaking at a private event, he referred to "our beloved candidate Jayakumar, who is going to contest the Perundurai Assembly by-election."
As the demand among TVK members in Erode is growing stronger that “if a by-election is held in Perundurai, a TVK functionary should be given the seat,” Sengottaiyan’s remarks have caused a stir. In a matter that Chief Minister Vijay and General Secretary Anand should decide, the question of who Minister Sengottaiyan is to state his own decision is spreading like wildfire within TVK!
It seems that the Arivalayam has conducted a survey in the constituencies where by-elections are to be held. According to the survey results, a report was said to have been given that “in Dharapuram, TVK is weak and there is also a chance for AIADMK to win. If attention is shifted toward Madurantakam, victory can be achieved.” Following that, the DMK is going all out in the Madurantakam constituency. At a recent youth wing meeting, Udhayanidhi is said to have ordered, “Bring in administrators from across the state. Divide the Madurantakam constituency into seven parts and appoint in-charges.”
There has also been discussion about Udhayanidhi’s campaign. At that time, it was said, “The young leader will come for campaigning one day... the party leader will not come for campaigning. Likewise, instead of the office-bearers setting up stages and speaking, go door to door and collect votes.” “Udhay wants to win Madurantakam. But saying that the Chief Minister will come only for a one-day campaign in Vijay style is not a good decision,” the party comrades are reportedly grumbling!
After the election, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi left the DMK alliance and joined the TVK alliance. The party also took part in the cabinet, and party leader Thol. Thirumavalavan made Vanni Arasu the Minister for Social Justice. In this situation, political observers and parties including the DMK and DMDK have been making sharp criticisms such as, “Thiruma keeps changing his stance.. VCK has gone off track.” In the Karur issue, Thiruma said, “Vijay came late.. I told them to file a case,” and for that, TVK members also attacked him.
As attacks are coming from all sides like this, Thiruma is said to be under severe mental stress. “Everyone is attacking me... but no one is speaking up for me to defend those attacks. Even the key people in my own party are just watching the attacks on me as if it were entertainment,” he is said to have lamented. “Vanni Arasu has become a minister. General secretary Ravikumar and Chinthanaiselvan are upset. Aaloor Shanavas is under the DMK’s grip. I have to answer the criticisms against me myself,” he is said to be grieving!
The Central Crime Branch police have registered a case against Anbil Mahesh for allegedly taking bribes to grant permission to private schools. Searches have been conducted at his premises. However, Anbil Mahesh’s supporters and senior DMK functionaries reportedly handled this raid very coolly. That is because the information that a raid was going to happen at Anbil Mahesh’s house had already reached his team in advance. Orders were reportedly issued as early as yesterday afternoon to “clean up the complicated matters.”
Anbil’s aides, as well as the mobile phones of those working in his office, have all been kept ready so that there are no controversial issues of any kind. Even when raids were conducted at the homes of former DMK ministers K.N. Nehru and E.V. Velu, controversies erupted over allegations that information had leaked in advance. Even now, since information has leaked, the top leadership of the government is said to be deeply upset.