Maduranthakam (Tamil Nadu), Sep 24 (PTI) AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday accused the TVK of indulging in “horse-trading” by poaching an AIADMK legislator to sustain its political standing, stating that no political party in India has engaged in such “disgraceful conduct.”
Addressing an election rally in Madurantakam to campaign for AIADMK candidate Kanitha Sampath, Palaniswami alleged that the TVK, desperate to shore up its numbers to secure governance, engineered the defection using lures.
The bypoll in Maduranthakam will be held on October 6.
The TVK has nominated Maragatham Kumaravel, who had won the seat on the AIADMK ticket in the 2026 Assembly polls. She later resigned her MLA post and joined TVK.
Likening the episode to enticing children with sweets on the street, Palaniswami remarked: “You all know what kind of ‘candy’ was offered to lure our MLA to resign. A good administration is built on one’s own hard work and mandate, not by poaching MLAs elected from another party to survive. No political party in India has engaged in such disgraceful conduct.”
The former chief said the by-election was forced upon the electorate solely due to political opportunism termed it a “shameful thing.”
“They made her resign, inducted her into their party, and today she is contesting against our candidate on behalf of TVK. It is a shameful thing,” Palaniswami said.
Hitting out at the turncoat MLA, he said the former legislator had won on the AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol through the relentless day-and-night toil of AIADMK cadres and alliance functionaries.
“Without an ounce of gratitude, disregarding the electorate who voted her, and blinded by money, she abandoned the people and joined the rival camp. In the history of Indian politics, has an elected MLA ever switched parties within barely 12 days of an election, betraying the voters who elected her/him,” Palaniswami asked, urging voters to teach the defector a fitting lesson and ensure she loses her deposit.
Senior AIADMK leaders — Deputy General Secretary K P Munusamy, former ministers O S Manian, Agri S S Krishnamoorthy, and B Valarmathi, alongside district secretaries, legislators, and key alliance leaders were present.
The bypoll will also be held in Dharapuram on October 6. PTI JR JR KH
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.