After the TVK government was formed, some of the AIADMK MLAs resigned from their posts and joined TVK. Following that, by-elections were announced in those constituencies. As the first phase, by-elections were announced in the two constituencies of Madurantakam and Dharapuram. Campaigning for this by-election has also begun. At this stage, a list of star campaigners from the TVK side was released to campaign in support of TVK candidates.

BJP leader Karate Thiagarajan has made a request to the Election Commission against that list. In a statement he issued in this regard, “The Tamil Nadu Election Commission - CEO TN has released the list of star campaigners for campaigning in the by-elections to be held in Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu.
In this list of star speakers, the names of leaders from other parties have been included as star speakers for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. Joseph Vijay, Congress leader Manickam Tagore, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko, Durai Vaiko, Indian Union Muslim League leader Kader Mohideen, VCK MP Ravikumar, Vanniarasu, and Chinthanai Selvan.
With regard to star speakers, Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act clearly states that only leaders belonging to the respective party can be declared as star speakers.

When the law clearly specifies this provision, the Tamil Nadu Election Commission - CEO TN has recognized the list of 40 star campaigners submitted by TVK, which includes names of leaders from other parties, as the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s star speakers. This is an act that makes a mockery of the Tamil Nadu Election Commission - CEO TN and the election conduct rules.
It has made the Election Commission, which is supposed to act according to the law, and the law itself, look ridiculous, and has created the impression that it is acting in support of the ruling party, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. This is strongly condemnable. It has raised doubts about whether the by-elections that may be held in Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu will be conducted fairly and impartially.
Already, in a similar case, when the Aam Aadmi Party declared a non-member as a star candidate, controversy arose, and later the position emerged that a person who is not a party member cannot be a star campaigner.

Therefore, I request that the Tamil Nadu Election Commission - CEO TN immediately cancel the star speaker list it has approved for Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to campaign in the 2026 Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections," he has noted.
