TVK’s KG Arunraj says voters in Dharapuram are seeking political change and that support for Vijay has strengthened ahead of polling.
Dharapuram bypoll: Why Arunraj insists TVK has an edge over AIADMK
TVK’s Dharapuram campaign in-charge KG Arunraj speaks about Sathyabama’s switch from AIADMK, charges against EPS, and Vijay's ability to break caste divisions
Ahead of by-polls on October 6, the Dharapuram constituency in Tamil Nadu's Tirupur district is seeing a pitched battle. P Sathyabama, who won the seat in the April 2026 Assembly election as an AIADMK candidate, won, resigned and crossed over to C Joseph Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, necessitating a by-election. She's now contesting as a TVK candidate.
KG Arunraj, Tamil Nadu Minister of Health and Family Welfare Minister, is actively campaigning for the by-election, where he has been sharply criticising Opposition leaders including AIADMK supremo Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS).
The Federal spoke to Arunraj about the ground sentiment following Chief Minister Vijay's recent visit, the circumstances surrounding Sathyabama's move from the AIADMK to the TVK, the party's election strategy, and the TVK's policy stance on resolving local agricultural water disputes.
Edited excerpts:
Do you think the Chief Minister's campaign in Dharapuram has improved the TVK's chance of winning?
Even before our honourable Chief Minister visited Dharapuram, the people of this constituency were strongly in favour of the TVK. A few rogue elements tried to portray a picture that the entire population of Dharapuram was opposed to our candidate, but that is not the ground reality. A combined effort by the DMK and a few AIADMK individuals mobilised a handful of people to shout slogans wherever our candidate went. However, if you visit the constituency, you can clearly feel the pulse of the people.
Also Read: TVK accuses Stalin of ‘body-shaming’, asks EC to revoke his star campaigner status
Once Vijay stepped in, that support consolidated into a wave-like situation. People are eagerly waiting for polling day to cast their votes in favour of the TVK because many feel they should have voted for the TVK in the April election itself.
Throughout the state, voters wanted a change from the two parties that have governed them for more than 50 years. In constituencies where we lost, people had some lingering doubts, but those doubts have now been cleared, and voters are ready for poll day.
In April, Sathyabama won from this constituency on an AIADMK seat while the TVK finished third. Now that she is contesting on the TVK symbol, how many of her former AIADMK voters will she draw?
The people of Dharapuram view Vijay Sir as our true candidate. While the scenario was different earlier, voters have now clearly understood the unholy alliance attempted by the AIADMK and DMK leaderships. Once our leader revealed what transpired between them, people realised they can no longer trust EPS or MK Stalin. This time, the voters will demonstrate their political wisdom by choosing the right party.
AIADMK leaders claim Sathyabama left their party for money. How do you respond to these allegations?
Sathyabama was not the only one to resign; six other MLAs, including three former ministers, also left. Furthermore, 25 AIADMK MLAs voted in favour of the TVK during the trust vote. This happened because everyone knew EPS attempted to form an alliance with the DMK.
Also Read: Vijay storms AIADMK fortress, claims he alone fights DMK like MGR and Jayalalithaa
No true AIADMK cadre would ever accept their party holding discussions or negotiations with the DMK. Because of that unholy arrangement, our candidate resigned from the AIADMK and joined the TVK, a party with honest and transparent leadership. She did not join for any position or post; she came over unconditionally.
You have consistently attacked EPS during your campaign. Is this a strategic move to secure Kongu Vellala Gounder votes for the TVK?
Our party's fundamental motto is 'pirappokkum ella uyirkkum' (all human beings are equal by birth). The AIADMK was a caste-neutral party under MG Ramachandra (MGR) and J Jayalalithaa. However, EPS downsized the party to represent specific community leaders.
Also Read: Madurantakam, Dharapuram bypolls: Why Anbumani’s ‘no one’ stand hits EPS hardest
Even leaders presently within the AIADMK are disillusioned with how he conducts party affairs. They privately share that the leadership does not respect anyone's views, listens only to his sons, and exhibits extreme arrogance. Because of this disillusionment, even votes from his own Kongu community will not go to him.
In the April election, the TVK contested alone, but in this election, parties like the Congress, VCK, and IUML are aligned with you. Will this alliance increase your vote share or alienate Kongu voters?
Our party cannot be reduced to any single segment of voters. The TVK is caste-neutral and universal. When these leaders align with TVK, it is a testament to our secular credentials. Having them with us undoubtedly adds value to the party.
A major issue in Dharapuram is water management, with Uppar farmers demanding water from Thirumoorthy Dam while Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) farmers saying water should not be released. What is the TVK's stance on resolving this issue?
The fundamental problem is that we need to augment the overall water supply to the PAP project itself. To achieve this, the state government must enter into negotiations with the Kerala government to implement the Anaimalaiyar-Nallar link scheme. Only when that project is implemented will sufficient water enter the river basin to supply all parts of this constituency as well as neighbouring districts.
