Chennai: The political heat in Tamil Nadu is set to rise with the announcement of by-elections for the Madurantakam (SC) and Dharapuram (SC) Assembly constituencies. Polling for both seats will take place on October 6, 2026, while the counting of votes is scheduled for October 9.
The two constituencies have attracted considerable political attention as the bypolls will be the first major electoral test for the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government following the 2026 Assembly election.
Both seats became vacant after the sitting AIADMK MLAs resigned from the Assembly and subsequently joined TVK.
Madurantakam By-Election 2026
The Madurantakam Assembly constituency, reserved for Scheduled Castes, is located in Chengalpattu district. The constituency is now heading for another closely watched election after former AIADMK MLA K. Maragatham Kumaravel resigned and joined TVK.
TVK has once again fielded K. Maragatham Kumaravel, this time under its own banner, in an attempt to retain the constituency.
The ruling party’s decision to re-nominate the former MLA makes the contest particularly interesting, as the election will effectively test whether her earlier support base can be transferred to TVK.
The DMK has fielded I. Parandaman, a lawyer and party legal-wing functionary, while AIADMK has named Kanitha Sampath as its candidate.
Madurantakam candidates
- TVK: K. Maragatham Kumaravel
- DMK: I. Parandaman
- AIADMK: Kanitha Sampath
With three major political forces entering the contest, Madurantakam is expected to witness an intense campaign in the coming weeks.
Dharapuram By-Election 2026
The Dharapuram Assembly constituency, also reserved for Scheduled Castes, is another constituency attracting attention in the bypoll schedule.
Former AIADMK MLA P. Sathyabama won the seat in the 2026 Assembly election before resigning from the Assembly and joining TVK. The party has now decided to field her again, but this time as its candidate.
TVK has nominated P. Sathyabama for Dharapuram, while the DMK has selected S. Suganya. AIADMK has announced K. Bhanumathi as its candidate.
Dharapuram candidates
- TVK: P. Sathyabama
- DMK: S. Suganya
- AIADMK: K. Bhanumathi
The contest is expected to become increasingly competitive as the three parties step up their campaign activities across the constituency.
Why These Two Bypolls Matter
The Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections carry significance beyond the two Assembly constituencies.
For TVK, the elections will be an opportunity to demonstrate that the party can convert its newly acquired political strength into electoral victories even after the Assembly election. Retaining the two seats through its newly announced candidates would strengthen the government’s political position.
For AIADMK, the bypolls offer a chance to fight back after losing the two sitting MLAs to TVK. The party’s candidate selection will be closely watched by its supporters as it attempts to reclaim the constituencies.
The DMK, meanwhile, will look to make the bypolls a test of its organisation and voter support in two constituencies where the political equation has changed significantly after the Assembly election.
A Different Political Equation
The political situation in Tamil Nadu has changed considerably since the 2026 Assembly election. The movement of elected MLAs between parties has added another layer to the upcoming bypolls.
The TVK-led Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance has also brought together parties that were earlier associated with the DMK-led alliance, making the electoral equations more complicated than they were during the Assembly election.
This makes the Madurantakam and Dharapuram results particularly important for understanding the direction of Tamil Nadu politics in the months ahead.
Poll Schedule
The Election Commission has announced the following schedule for the two constituencies:
| Election Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination begins | September 9, 2026 |
| Last date for nominations | September 16, 2026 |
| Scrutiny of nominations | September 17, 2026 |
| Last date for withdrawal | September 19, 2026 |
| Polling | October 6, 2026 |
| Counting of votes | October 9, 2026 |
What to Watch in Madurantakam and Dharapuram
The biggest question in both constituencies will be whether voters continue to support the candidates they elected in the Assembly election, despite their change of political party.
For TVK, a victory in both seats would provide an early boost to the new government’s political standing. For AIADMK, winning back either constituency would provide an important political message. The DMK, meanwhile, will be looking to take advantage of the changed alliance structure and consolidate its own vote base.
With campaigning yet to reach its peak, the coming weeks are likely to bring sharper political exchanges, local-level campaigning and a clearer picture of the voter mood.
The final result on October 9 will reveal whether the voters of Madurantakam and Dharapuram choose continuity with the newly changed political equation or return to the established parties.
Tamil Nadu Assembly By-Election 2026 will therefore be closely watched not just for who wins two Assembly seats, but also for what the results could signal for the state’s evolving political landscape.
