TN bypolls: FIR against Udhayanidhi Stalin over child in Dharapuram campaign
Synopsis
An FIR has been registered against DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin for allegedly using a child to make derogatory remarks against the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister during a Dharapuram bypoll campaign — a case that combines Election Commission child-protection rules with high-voltage state politics, even as key facts remain undisclosed by police.
Key Takeaways
Tiruppur district police registered an FIR against Udhayanidhi Stalin on 4 October 2026 at Dharapuram Police Station .
He is alleged to have involved a child in a bypoll campaign meeting near the Periyar statue, Dharapuram , last Saturday.
Police cited Election Commission of India directives prohibiting use of children in election-related activities.
The child allegedly made remarks insulting to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister , though the remarks were not reproduced in the police statement.
Legal provisions invoked, complainant identity, and the child's identity and age were not disclosed in the official release.
An investigation is ongoing; no timetable has been provided.
Tiruppur district police on 4 October 2026 registered a case against Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin — who also serves as a key campaigner for the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) — for allegedly involving a child in an election campaign meeting and purportedly making the child speak in a manner insulting to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The incident is said to have occurred near the Periyar statue in Dharapuram town, Tiruppur district, during a campaign event last Saturday, with the case lodged at the Dharapuram Police Station.
What the Police Allege
According to a press release issued by Tiruppur district police, the allegations centre on two distinct charges: using a child for activities connected to an election campaign, and having the child make remarks allegedly disparaging the Chief Minister. The Model Code of Conduct is currently in force in the Dharapuram Assembly constituency, where a bypoll is underway, making the alleged conduct a potential violation of Election Commission directives.
Police cited explicit instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI), which prohibit involving children in any election-related activity, as the basis for the case. However, the press release did not specify the legal provisions under which Udhayanidhi was booked, nor did it reproduce the remarks attributed to the child or identify the child's age or identity.
Key Gaps in the Police Statement
The official communication leaves several questions unanswered. Police did not disclose whether the FIR was filed on the basis of a complaint from an individual, a political party, or an election official. The complainant's details were not included in the statement. Similarly, the press release offered no account of how the child came to participate in the campaign proceedings or the precise circumstances surrounding the alleged remarks.
Crucially, no response from Udhayanidhi Stalin to the allegations was included in the release, and police did not indicate whether they had sought his explanation. The statement also contained no findings establishing the alleged conduct — only the registration of the case and the announcement that an investigation was underway.
Political Context: Dharapuram Bypoll
The Dharapuram Assembly constituency is one of several Tamil Nadu seats heading to a bypoll, drawing intense campaigning from both the ruling DMK and the opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)-led coalition. Udhayanidhi's presence at campaign meetings reflects the DMK's effort to mobilise support ahead of the vote.
Notably, this is not the first instance of election authorities flagging the use of children in Tamil Nadu's vibrant campaigning culture, though the involvement of a senior political figure of Udhayanidhi's stature elevates the controversy. The Election Commission's directive against involving minors in poll-related activities has been a standing instruction across election cycles but has rarely triggered FIRs against leaders of this prominence.
What Happens Next
The Dharapuram Police Station has confirmed the investigation is continuing. Details of the legal provisions invoked and the evidence being examined have not been made public. Further developments — including whether Udhayanidhi will be summoned for questioning — are expected as the investigation progresses ahead of the bypoll.
Point of View
Identified the complainant, or reproduced the alleged remarks — gaps that raise legitimate questions about procedural transparency. That said, the Election Commission's prohibition on using children in campaigns exists for good reason, and if the allegations are borne out, they implicate a senior political figure in a clear rule violation. The timing — mid-campaign, with the Model Code in force — also invites scrutiny of whether this is routine enforcement or politically motivated action, a determination only a credible investigation can settle. Tamil Nadu's bypolls have historically been flashpoints for Model Code complaints from rival parties, and this case will be watched closely for how quickly, and how impartially, it proceeds.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was an FIR registered against Udhayanidhi Stalin in Dharapuram?
Tiruppur district police filed a case against Udhayanidhi Stalin for allegedly involving a child in a bypoll campaign meeting in Dharapuram and purportedly having the child make remarks insulting to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The case invokes Election Commission directives that prohibit using children in any election-related activity.
Where and when did the alleged incident take place?
The incident reportedly occurred near the Periyar statue in Dharapuram town, Tiruppur district, during a campaign meeting last Saturday. The FIR was registered at Dharapuram Police Station on 4 October 2026.
What are the Election Commission rules on involving children in campaigns?
The Election Commission of India has issued standing directives prohibiting the use of children in any activity connected with elections. These rules apply across all constituencies where the Model Code of Conduct is in force, as it currently is in Dharapuram.
Has Udhayanidhi Stalin responded to the FIR?
As of the latest available information, no response from Udhayanidhi Stalin has been officially recorded or included in police communications. Police have also not indicated whether they have sought his explanation or plan to summon him for questioning.
What details are still unknown about the Dharapuram case?
Key details not yet disclosed include the legal provisions under which the FIR was registered, the identity and age of the child, the identity of the complainant, and the specific remarks allegedly made. Police have confirmed only that an investigation is ongoing, with no timetable given.
