Chennai, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has named 40 star campaigners for the October 6 by-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, as campaigning intensifies ahead of polling.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay is among the prominent names on the party’s list. Congress leader Manickam Tagore, VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan, MDMK general secretary Vaiko, Durai Vaiko and Kader Mohideen are also among the star campaigners.
The final lists of candidates for the two bypolls are also due to be released on Saturday after the deadline for withdrawal of nominations. Election officials will publish the final lists and allot symbols to independent candidates and nominees of unrecognised parties.
In Madurantakam, located in Chengalpattu district, 48 candidates submitted nomination papers, of which 28 were accepted after scrutiny. The prominent contestants include Maragatham Kumaravel of the TVK, I. Paranthamen of the DMK, S. Kanitha Sampath of the AIADMK, a CPI(M) candidate and a Naam Tamilar Katchi nominee. The final number of candidates will be known after the withdrawal process.
In Dharapuram, 22 of 51 nomination papers were found valid after scrutiny. The final contest will similarly be determined after the withdrawal deadline.
The by-elections are scheduled for October 6, with campaigning expected to intensify through public meetings, rallies, door-to-door outreach and local-level mobilisation. TVK has planned a campaign by Vijay in both constituencies, with the first phase expected to begin after September 21.
The two constituencies have attracted attention after former AIADMK MLAs Maragatham Kumaravel and P. Sathyabama resigned from the Assembly and joined the TVK. Both are now contesting the bypolls as TVK candidates.
Election authorities are also making arrangements for polling stations, staff deployment and security to ensure the voting and counting process is conducted smoothly.
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