DMK, AIADMK fielding separate candidates to split bypoll votes, alleges TN minister
Synopsis
A Tamil Nadu minister has accused the DMK and AIADMK — rival parties on paper — of quietly coordinating in the upcoming Assembly bypolls, alleging they agreed to run separately purely to split votes against the TVK. The charge, made without evidence, raises pointed questions about the nature of opposition politics in Tamil Nadu ahead of a critical bypoll test for the ruling party.
Key Takeaways
TVK minister Nirmal Kumar alleged on 24 September 2026 that the DMK and AIADMK are covertly coordinating in Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls.
He claimed the two parties initially planned a common candidate before choosing to field separate nominees to split votes against TVK .
Kumar alleged that opposition to TVK candidates at public gatherings was organised by the two parties, not a spontaneous voter response.
He described Edappadi K.
Palaniswami's conduct as a 'betrayal', linking AIADMK legislator resignations to dissatisfaction with the party chief.
The minister questioned why Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) was removed from the finance portfolio if the DMK stands by his performance.
Neither the DMK nor the AIADMK had responded to the allegations as of the time of reporting.
Tamil Nadu minister Nirmal Kumar on 24 September 2026 alleged that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) are covertly coordinating ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls, claiming the two parties initially planned a common candidate before deciding to contest separately in order to split votes against the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The minister made the charge while speaking to reporters in Chennai, though he did not provide documentary evidence to support it.
The Core Allegation
Nirmal Kumar claimed that the DMK and the AIADMK had, at one stage, considered fielding a single joint candidate in the bypoll constituencies before ultimately choosing to run under their respective banners. His contention is that the split candidature is a tactical move — not genuine opposition — designed to divide the anti-TVK vote and maximise damage to the ruling party's prospects.
He further alleged that organised groups were being placed at public gatherings to raise slogans against TVK candidates, attributing this orchestration to the two opposition parties. 'Voters are not rejecting these candidates,' he said, suggesting the hostility at campaign events was manufactured rather than organic.
AIADMK Resignations and Palaniswami Remarks
The minister also addressed the resignation of several AIADMK legislators, arguing they had stepped down because they could no longer accept the conduct of party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami. He described Palaniswami's actions as a 'betrayal' and claimed the AIADMK had effectively decided to align itself with the DMK. Nirmal Kumar notably did not name the resigning legislators or specify the timeline of the alleged coordination.
This comes amid a period of visible internal strain within the AIADMK, with multiple senior figures distancing themselves from the party leadership in recent months.
Madurai Temple Consecration Row
Separately, Nirmal Kumar addressed questions about consecration work at a temple in Madurai, defending the board of trustees and asserting that its members had acted independently. He rejected claims that political leaders had directed the trust's decisions, saying the trustees had been free to oversee the proceedings without external interference.
Sharp Remarks on Palanivel Thiaga Rajan
The minister also took aim at former Tamil Nadu finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, widely known as PTR, who has been defended by DMK leaders in recent weeks. Nirmal Kumar asked why the DMK had removed Rajan from the finance portfolio if his performance had been as strong as the party claimed — framing the portfolio change as a contradiction in the DMK's own assessment of its former minister.
Opposition Yet to Respond
As of the time of this report, neither the DMK nor the AIADMK had issued a formal response to the allegations made by the TVK minister. The bypolls are expected to be a significant test for the TVK, which is contesting in these seats for the first time as the ruling party in the state. All allegations of inter-party coordination between the DMK and AIADMK remain unverified and attributed solely to Nirmal Kumar.
Point of View
But it also reflects a real structural anxiety: the party is contesting bypolls as an incumbent for the first time, and any organised opposition could expose gaps in its electoral machine. The charge is unverified, and both opposition parties have decades of bitter rivalry that makes formal coordination implausible — yet informal, tacit non-aggression between rivals is not unprecedented in Tamil Nadu politics. What the minister's remarks also do, somewhat shrewdly, is shift the narrative around legislator resignations and the Madurai temple dispute away from TVK governance questions and onto opposition conduct. The unanswered question is whether voters in the bypoll seats will see through that framing or be moved by it.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Tamil Nadu minister Nirmal Kumar alleged about the DMK and AIADMK?
Nirmal Kumar alleged that the DMK and AIADMK, despite contesting separately, are covertly coordinating in the Tamil Nadu Assembly bypolls to split votes against the ruling TVK. He claimed the parties initially considered a joint candidate before choosing to field separate nominees as a tactical move. He did not provide evidence for the allegation.
Why does Nirmal Kumar say the AIADMK legislators resigned?
The minister claimed the AIADMK legislators resigned because they could no longer accept the conduct of party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, describing Palaniswami's actions as a 'betrayal'. He did not name the specific legislators or provide a timeline for the alleged decisions.
What did Nirmal Kumar say about Palanivel Thiaga Rajan?
Nirmal Kumar questioned why the DMK had removed Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, widely known as PTR, from the finance portfolio if the party considered his performance strong. He offered the portfolio change as a challenge to the DMK's defence of its former minister.
Has the DMK or AIADMK responded to these allegations?
As of the time of reporting, neither the DMK nor the AIADMK had formally responded to the allegations made by TVK minister Nirmal Kumar. All claims of inter-party coordination remain unverified and attributed solely to the minister.
What is the significance of these bypolls for the TVK?
The upcoming Assembly bypolls are widely seen as a critical early test for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, which is contesting as the ruling party in Tamil Nadu for the first time. The results could indicate the party's ground-level support ahead of future elections.
