'Vijay has stolen our MLA': EPS targets TVK over defection
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami targets actor-turned-politician Vijay over the defection of MLA V Sathyabama ahead of the Dharapuram bypoll.
In a scathing attack ahead of the crucial Dharapuram bypoll, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has accused actor-turned-politician Vijay of orchestrating the defection of elected representatives to strengthen his newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Addressing a massive campaign rally in Dharapuram on Friday, Palaniswami launched a direct offensive against the TVK chief, claiming that Vijay is systematically poaching AIADMK legislators to consolidate his political power.
Allegations of Unethical Defection
The political firestorm centers on the resignation of former AIADMK MLA V Sathyabama. Palaniswami raised serious questions regarding the timing and circumstances of her departure from the party. He noted that Sathyabama, who won her seat on the AIADMK's 'two-leaf' symbol, resigned only to immediately contest the upcoming bypoll on a TVK ticket.
"If an elected candidate resigns midway, joins another party, and immediately after joining that party, an election is announced, and she is fielded as a candidate on behalf of that party, then something must have happened," Palaniswami remarked during his speech. He questioned the morality of the move, asking, "What was the need for her to resign? Who voted for her? It was the people who voted for her."
Targeting Vijay's Political Strategy
Palaniswami suggested that Vijay’s primary objective is to ensure the longevity and strength of the TVK by absorbing established leaders from rival parties. He specifically pointed to the trend of winning candidates switching sides just before elections are called.
"Vijay wants to protect the TVK government and ensure that it remains in power. For that purpose, Vijay made candidates who had contested and won on behalf of the AIADMK resign and join his party. Is this fair? Vijay has stolen our MLA," the AIADMK leader declared to the gathered crowd.
The Dharapuram Battleground
The upcoming bypoll in Dharapuram has become a high-stakes showdown. The AIADMK has fielded K Bhanumathi to reclaim the seat, while V Sathyabama will represent the TVK. This contest follows a wave of resignations in May, where three AIADMK MLAs—Maragatham Kumaravel, Sathyabama, and Jayakumar—tendered their resignations to the Assembly Speaker and subsequently joined the TVK.
The election for Dharapuram, along with Madurantakam in Tamil Nadu, three constituencies in West Bengal and Puducherry, and one Parliamentary constituency in Assam, is scheduled for October 6. The counting of votes is set to take place on October 9.
Palaniswami concluded his address with a call to action, asserting that the AIADMK would emerge victorious in Dharapuram and urging supporters to stand against the perceived political poaching.