The Dharapuram Assembly constituency, with 223,000 electors, will hold a byelection on October 6. Three major parties are contesting the seat: the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
The nominees for the contest are P. Sathyabama of the TVK, who switched from the AIADMK after winning the seat in the April‑May election; S. Suganya of the DMK; and K. Bhanumathi of the AIADMK. The Communist Party of India has fielded P. Lakshmanan, and the Naam Tamilar Katchi has nominated M. Karthika. Leaders from the three parties have been conducting last‑minute outreach as Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay plans to visit the constituency again on October 4, while former Chief Ministers M.K. Stalin and Edappadi K. Palaniswami held roadshows on Friday.
The TVK’s campaign is led by Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, whereas the DMK and AIADMK have entrusted former ministers Vellakoil M.P. Saminathan and Thangam Thennarasu, and Pollachi V. Jayaraman and Dindigul C. Sreenivasan, respectively. While the TVK and DMK offices on Dharapuram town’s main road exude a vibrant atmosphere, the AIADMK office has a more sober look.
Dharapuram has been reserved for Scheduled Castes since 1967. According to estimates, Kongu Vellala Gounders make up 42% of the population, followed by Scheduled Castes at 32%. Chettiars and Nadars each account for 3.7%, with Muslims and Christians at 4% and 1.8% respectively. Some TVK volunteers claim that the party’s nominee, Ms. Sathyabama, faced hostility in certain villages because of her short campaign period, yet supporters argue the ruling party deserves a fair chance and that past governments have taken time to deliver promises.
The DMK, which held the seat from 2021 to 2026, is contesting almost alone as most allies have moved to the TVK, while the AIADMK maintains a significant hold, especially in rural areas. Both parties emphasize that, regardless of the winner, addressing water scarcity is crucial; farmers have paid exorbitant prices for irrigation water due to a weak monsoon. The result, to be announced on October 9, will determine whether these concerns are tackled in the coming term.
