Three-way contest intensifies before Dharapuram Assembly byelection
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, DMK and AIADMK are competing in a closely fought Dharapuram byelection scheduled for October 6. The constituency has 2.23 lakh electors, and campaigners have focused on party strength, a candidate defection and local water shortages affecting farmers and households.
A three-way contest among the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has intensified ahead of the Dharapuram Assembly byelection in Tamil Nadu. The reserved constituency has 2.23 lakh electors, with voting scheduled for October 6. The result is due on October 9.
The principal candidates are P. Sathyabama of the TVK, S. Suganya of the DMK and K.
Bhanumathi of the AIADMK. Sathyabama had won the constituency for the AIADMK in the April-May election before defecting to the ruling TVK. The move and her decision to seek re-election soon afterwards have become central issues in the campaign.
TVK campaigners say the ruling party enjoys goodwill among some groups, particularly women. Some volunteers, however, believe another candidate would have faced less resistance in villages. The DMK is contesting largely on its own after most allies moved towards the TVK.
Its workers say the party’s defeat in the general election has encouraged them to campaign more vigorously. The AIADMK, despite appearing less active than its rivals, retains influence in the constituency. Local residents told the newspaper that the DMK was traditionally stronger in urban areas, while the AIADMK had greater support in villages.
Water scarcity has emerged as a major local concern. Farmers said the failure of the southwest monsoon had forced them to buy water for agriculture, livestock and poultry. One farmer said 24,000 litres had cost ₹5,000 in recent months.
The result will determine which party holds the seat, but residents said they wanted the winner to address the constituency’s water shortage.
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