Chennai, 08 Oct (H.S.): Tamil Nadu’s political focus will turn to Madurantakam and Dharapuram on Friday as bypoll results offer an early indication of voter sentiment towards Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government.

Counting begins at 8 a.m. on October 9, with postal ballots processed before votes cast through electronic voting machines are taken up.

The two constituencies, both reserved for Scheduled Castes, voted on October 6 following campaigning by Vijay and senior opposition leaders.

For the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the outcome carries significance beyond the two seats. The party won 108 seats in the Assembly election, falling short of the 118 needed for a majority.

Winning both contests would bolster TVK’s political standing. Losses would provide the opposition with grounds to challenge the government’s public support during its initial months in office.

In Madurantakam, TVK’s Maragatham Kumaravel faces DMK’s Paranthaman, AIADMK’s Ganitha Sampath, CPI(M)’s Sugandhi and Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Janakiraman.

Dharapuram’s leading contestants include TVK’s Sathyabama, DMK’s Sukanya, AIADMK’s Bhanumathi, CPI’s Lakshmanan and Naam Tamilar Katchi’s Karthika.

Both TVK candidates won their seats on AIADMK tickets in the Assembly election before changing parties. Their attempts to secure fresh mandates will test their ability to retain voters’ backing under the TVK banner.

DMK president M.K. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigned for their nominees, while AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami led his party’s campaign.

Turnout was lower than in April. Madurantakam recorded approximately 86 per cent polling, compared with about 93 per cent previously. Dharapuram registered around 80 per cent, against nearly 90 per cent.

Madurantakam has 2,13,788 registered voters, while Dharapuram has 2,23,306.

Although parties are assessing the implications of reduced participation, turnout alone offers no reliable indication of which contestant benefits.

Friday’s verdict will help parties assess shifting loyalties and guide their political strategies in the months ahead.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman