On Monday, September 21, 2026, the ruling Tamil Maanila Kamaraj (TVK) removed the names of leaders from its alliance parties from its list of star campaigners for the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, following a complaint lodged by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). The DMK’s organization secretary, R.S. Bharathi, had earlier filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC) objecting to the TVK’s list.
Bharathi’s complaint, addressed to Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, cited the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Model Code of Conduct. He argued that Section 77(1) of the Act permits a political party to designate only its own leaders and office‑bearers as star campaigners, and that no provision allows a party to list leaders of another recognised party as its own.
The TVK’s original star campaigner list included Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leaders Thol. Thirumavalavan, Minister Vanni Arasu, MP D. Ravikumar, senior leader Sinthanai Selvan, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko, MP Durai Vaiko, and Indian Union Muslim League leader K.M. Kader Mohideen.
Bharathi warned that recognising leaders from other parties as star campaigners could lead to the unlawful exemption of travel and accommodation expenses from the election expenditure accounts of individual candidates. He said such practice would undermine a level playing field and contravene the EC’s principle of free and fair elections.
He urged the EC to issue directions ensuring that any expenses incurred by leaders of other parties campaigning for TVK candidates be fully included in the respective candidates’ election expenditure accounts.
