CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay described TVK’s Madurantakam and Dharapuram byelection victories a rejection of money-driven politics and a rebuke to his critics. DMK president M K Stalin called it a temporary victory for betrayal, while AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleged misuse of power.Vijay said TVK won without paying voters, confining them or resorting to the Thirumangalam and Erode East electoral formulas. “This is an unprecedented victory in Tamil Nadu’s byelection history, achieved by completely dismantling the very formula of money-driven politics,” he said.Responding to allegations of political deals, Vijay said voters had rejected those who mocked his two-day campaign (two days each in Madurantakam and Dharapuram). He wondered what would have happened in April’s assembly election had the then DMK govt allowed him to campaign across Tamil Nadu.“This is entirely a victory against defamatory remarks targeting women. It is a victory against degrading personal attacks,” he said, calling the verdict a triumph of political decency over betrayal. Vijay thanked voters, alliance leaders and workers, and congratulated winners Maragatham Kumaravel and P Sathyabama.In a counterattack, Stalin said the byelections were forced when two legislators resigned and joined TVK barely five months after the April 23 assembly election. He accused Vijay of becoming chief minister through horse-trading and deploying police, money and govt machinery to secure victory.Stalin mocked Vijay’s tea-drinking, tractor-driving and drumstick-plucking campaign appearances. He said voters had reduced Vijay to ‘kothu parotta’ by making him campaign under the scorching sun for four days, ridiculing claims that he could demolish opponents with a five-minute speech.He alleged GPay transfers, gift distribution, voter intimidation and election-code violations through welfare announcements. “The downfall of politics built on a false image has begun,” Stalin said, claiming votes cast for all parties opposing TVK together constituted a majority.Echoing the horse-trading charge, Palaniswami said TVK had poached AIADMK legislators to turn its minority govt into a majority. He alleged that TVK had filed false cases against the Dharapuram AIADMK candidate, intimidated party functionaries and misused official machinery.“This is a victory for the power of office and money-driven politics,” he said. Recalling byelections won during his tenure, Palaniswami argued that ruling parties traditionally enjoyed an advantage, but TVK’s victory was only temporary against AIADMK’s “iron fortress.”He accused Vijay of riding a bullock cart alongside a criminal wanted by police. Calling TVK the “Temporary Victory Kazhagam”, Palaniswami said AIADMK would overcome the setback and thanked party workers and allies.
