Chennai, 30 Sept (H.S.):Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will address a public meeting in Dharapuram on Wednesday, seeking support for TVK candidate Sathyabama as campaigning intensifies ahead of the October 6 Assembly bypoll.

Sathyabama, who won the reserved constituency in Tiruppur district on an AIADMK ticket, resigned from the Assembly before joining Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam. Her resignation necessitated the bypoll, which has drawn 22 candidates.

Vijay’s visit comes as rival parties step up their campaigns across the constituency, with less than a week remaining before voters choose their next representative.

A 54-acre ground at Maruthi Nagar in Kondarasampalayam, on the Dharapuram–Udumalpet road, has been prepared for the gathering. Vijay will address supporters from a bus positioned at the venue.

Organisers have created separate seating areas for ministers, senior party leaders, volunteers and the public. More than 10 large LED screens will relay the proceedings, while QR-coded entry passes are being issued to about 10,000 people.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to leave Chennai by private aircraft around noon and reach Coimbatore airport at approximately 1 p.m. He will continue by road to Dharapuram, where he is expected around 3 p.m., before returning to Chennai later in the day.

Police have imposed traffic restrictions, barring heavy vehicles from Dharapuram and diverting other traffic. Barricades have been installed at key locations.

Speed breakers at about 50 points on the four-lane Dharapuram–Palladam road, including stretches near educational institutions and rural bus stops, are being removed ahead of his journey.

More than 3,000 police personnel from Tiruppur, Coimbatore, the Nilgiris and Erode have been deployed under West Zone Inspector General Ramya Bharathi. Coimbatore DIG Saminathan inspected arrangements on Tuesday.

The contest will test Sathyabama’s bid to retain her seat under the TVK banner, with opponents canvassing across Dharapuram during the campaign’s final days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman