Chief Minister Vijay campaigns in Dharapuram, condemns DMK's comments on female candidate

On Sunday, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay flew to Coimbatore and then to Dharapuram by helicopter to launch a campaign caravan for TVK’s P Sathyabama ahead of the Oct. 6 by-polls. Accompanied by ministers N Anand and K A Sengottaiyan, Vijay covered a 40-km route that included a brief bullock-cart ride, a prayer stop at the Moolanur Vanjiamman shrine, and visits to key junctions such as the Periyar statue and Meenakshipuram.

He criticised recent statements by DMK president M K Stalin, labeling them as vulgar attacks on women and warning opposition parties against such rhetoric. Vijay linked the issue to the legacy of former AIADMK chief M G Ramachandran, promising not to stay silent when women are insulted. The by-election follows the resignations of former AIADMK MLAs K Maragatham Kumaravel and Satyabama, who joined TVK, prompting the vote in Dharapuram and Madurantakam.