By-Polls Prove TVK’s People Power: CM Vijay

CHENNAI: Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay on Friday claimed that the by-election victories in Madurantakam and Dharapuram reaffirmed the party’s popularity and were achieved without distributing money or resorting to electoral malpractice.

Thanking voters, Vijay said the results showed that Tamil Nadu was not a stronghold of corrupt forces but a bastion of people’s power and the public’s affection for the TVK. He called the victories a blow to money power, saying the party had won through the “formula of love, affection and relationships” and its commitment to protecting democracy.

Responding to allegations of electoral bargains and criticism that the party campaigned for only two days, Vijay said voters had rejected those making such claims. He also asserted that the April Assembly election outcome could have been different had the then ruling DMK allowed him to campaign across Tamil Nadu.

Vijay said serving people was both the TVK’s duty and its responsibility to repay their trust. He thanked voters in both constituencies and acknowledged the support of alliance partners in the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance—the Congress and VCK, Marumalarchi Dravidateeter Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) and Indian Union Muslims League (IUML)—as well as ministers, leaders, functionaries and cadres.

Congratulating the joint winning candidates, Maragatham Kumaravel of Madurantakam and Sathyabama of Dharapuram, who contested on the whistle symbol, Vijay said the victories represented a rejection of derogatory remarks against women, personal attacks and what he called betrayals of principled leaders and their supporters. “Overall, this is a victory for political decency, personal dignity and, above all, the people and the voters,” he said, expressing confidence that the winning streak would continue. He concluded with the slogan: “Good things will happen. Victory is certain.”