Chennai, Feb 2 (PTI) – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K. Stalin has accused the AIADMK and BJP of waging an "indirect war" against his party by instigating "political fringes" in the upcoming Erode East bypoll scheduled for February 5.
In a statement to DMK workers, Stalin claimed that both parties lacked the strength to confront the ruling party or its candidate, V.C. Chandirakumar, directly. He alleged that instead of facing the electorate, they resorted to defamatory allegations to justify their boycott of the bypoll.
"Without having the courage to directly oppose the DMK, they are waging an indirect war by instigating some fringe political parties," Stalin said in his letter.
The Erode East bypoll has turned into a largely two-way contest between DMK's Chandirakumar and Naam Tamizhar Katchi's M.K. Seethalakshmi, as the AIADMK, BJP, DMDK, and TVK have chosen to stay out. Actor-politician Vijay’s party, TVK, had already declared its focus on the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election.
Stalin positioned the DMK’s electoral prospects as a referendum on his government’s performance, asserting that a victory in Erode East would serve as a precursor to a landslide in 2026. He reiterated the party’s rallying cry, “Let us win 200; let us make history.”
Confident in a decisive win, Stalin emphasized his trust in the electorate and the relentless efforts of DMK cadres. He also accused the BJP of betraying Tamil Nadu’s interests and predicted that the people would respond by securing a massive victory for Chandirakumar.
A total of 46 candidates are in the fray for the by-election, with polling set for February 5 and vote counting scheduled for February 8.
The AIADMK, in justifying its boycott, accused the DMK government of misusing administrative power. Similar allegations were echoed by other opposition parties.
As the bypoll date nears, the political landscape remains charged, with the DMK aiming for a sweeping win while opposition parties take a step back from direct contestation.
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