AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has criticised Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over farmer and drinking water issues in Dharapuram, as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Assembly bypoll scheduled for October 6.
Palaniswami made the remarks while addressing a campaign rally in support of AIADMK candidate K Banumathi in Dharapuram. During his speech, he focused on irrigation and drinking water concerns and alleged that the lack of irrigation water had affected agricultural activity in the region.
According to Palaniswami, farmers in the Dharapuram area are facing difficulties because irrigation water has not been released. He said coconut trees and other crops had been affected and linked the situation to what he described as administrative shortcomings. He also claimed that residents were experiencing difficulties in getting adequate drinking water.
Palaniswami used the issue to criticise the functioning of the present government. Referring to Vijay, he said the government appeared to be operating through social media reels rather than concentrating on issues faced by people on the ground. The statement was made as part of his election campaign and represents Palaniswami's political criticism of the state government.
The AIADMK leader also referred to Vijay's recent overseas visit and argued that the Chief Minister should give greater attention to governance and issues raised by people and elected representatives. Palaniswami said that when he served as Chief Minister, he would respond to questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition and questioned whether the present government was following a similar approach.
The comments come at a time when the Dharapuram Assembly constituency is witnessing an intense bypoll campaign. The seat became vacant after P Sathyabama resigned as an MLA and subsequently joined TVK. AIADMK has fielded K Banumathi, while Sathyabama is contesting the bypoll as the TVK candidate.
The Dharapuram election is one of several bypolls scheduled to take place on October 6. Another Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu, Madurantakam, is also going to the polls on the same day. Assembly bypolls are also scheduled in other states and the Union Territory of Puducherry, along with a parliamentary bypoll in Assam. Counting of votes for these elections is scheduled for October 9, according to reports.
The agricultural concerns raised by Palaniswami have become part of the wider political debate in Dharapuram. The constituency has a significant farming population, and irrigation and drinking water are among the local issues being highlighted during the campaign. Palaniswami's comments specifically focused on the reported condition of coconut trees and other crops, which he attributed to inadequate irrigation water.
At the rally, Palaniswami urged the state government to focus on what he described as practical governance rather than publicity. His remarks were directed at Vijay in his capacity as Chief Minister and TVK leader. The comments should be viewed in the context of the ongoing bypoll campaign, where political parties are seeking support by highlighting local issues and criticising their opponents.
The Dharapuram contest also has significance because of the political movement of former AIADMK representatives. Sathyabama, who previously represented the constituency for AIADMK, resigned and later joined TVK. Her candidature against AIADMK's Banumathi has therefore added another dimension to the electoral contest.
The campaign has also seen exchanges between AIADMK and TVK supporters. Reports have highlighted political tensions in the constituency as campaigning continues. These developments have contributed to increased attention around the Dharapuram bypoll ahead of polling day.
For AIADMK, Palaniswami's campaign has focused on issues including irrigation, drinking water, administration and the performance of the government. For TVK, the Dharapuram contest is part of its broader electoral activity as the party contests the bypoll with Sathyabama as its candidate.
Palaniswami's latest remarks are therefore part of the broader political campaign rather than an independently established assessment of government performance. His claims about irrigation, crop damage and drinking water concerns have been reported as statements made during the campaign. Voters in the constituency will ultimately assess the competing claims and local issues when they cast their votes.
The Dharapuram bypoll is scheduled for October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9. The campaign is expected to continue to focus on local concerns, candidate backgrounds, governance issues and the political contest between AIADMK and TVK in the constituency.
