Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay Under Fire from DMK and AIADMK Ahead of Dharapuram Bypoll

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder C Joseph Vijay came under attack from both the DMK and AIADMK on Friday ahead of the October 6 Dharapuram bypoll, with M K Stalin questioning his silence on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Edappadi K Palaniswami accusing him of poaching an elected AIADMK MLA. Addressing a campaign rally in Dharapuram, Stalin questioned why Vijay had not spoken on the SIR controversy involving the Election Commission and asked whether the Chief Minister was “afraid of the BJP”. Stalin said even parties extending outside support to the TVK government were questioning Vijay’s silence on an issue that had drawn criticism from political parties across the country. The Left parties, which support the Vijay-led government from outside, have also been critical of the regime on several issues. “What is your fear, CM sir, what is the fear? If you cannot open your mouth even on an issue on which all leaders across the country are speaking, what is the reason behind it? CM sir, are you afraid of the BJP so much?” Stalin said. The DMK chief also targeted Vijay over a remark made during the latter’s recent campaign in Dharapuram, alleging that the TVK founder had “uttered the truth” by admitting that his own party was a branch of the BJP. “I am happy TN CM Vijay uttered the truth by admitting that TVK is a branch of BJP,” Stalin said.