Stalin Directs DMK to Prepare for Five Assembly Bypolls in Tamil Nadu

Chennai, October 24, 2026 – Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K. Stalin has instructed party functionaries to immediately begin preparations for possible by-elections in five Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

The directive was issued during a high-level consultation meeting held at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters in Chennai. The meeting focused on Karur, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai, and Tiruchy East, where bypolls are expected to be announced soon.

The meeting was attended by district secretaries, senior leaders, and constituency in-charges. According to party sources, discussions were held on constituency-level election work, campaign strategies, and the identification of potential candidates.

Stalin stated that the party should be ready to contest whenever the Election Commission announces the bypolls and must work towards securing decisive victories. He emphasized early organizational work, careful candidate selection, and coordinated campaigning.

Emphasis on Candidate Selection

One of the key instructions given by Stalin was related to the selection of candidates. He directed district units to prepare a shortlist of five to six names for each constituency and submit it to the central leadership without delay.

He said that preference should be given to functionaries and long-standing party workers who have remained active and have built a good reputation among voters. The leadership wants to choose candidates who have sustained involvement in party activities and enjoy public goodwill.

This exercise is intended to create a pool of potential nominees before final decisions are taken. Stalin noted that the right candidate can translate organizational strength into electoral support.

For Tiruchi East, Stalin held discussions with Minister K.N. Nehru and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. For Viralimalai, he consulted Sella Pandian, for Perundurai – Minister S. Muthusamy, for Karur – former Minister V. Senthil Balaji, and for Ambasamudram – Aavudaiappan.

Background of Recent Bypolls

The latest move comes after the recent bypolls in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, where the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) registered victories. In both constituencies, the DMK finished second.

Although the DMK could not win those seats, its vote share increased compared to previous elections. Party leaders see this as a positive sign and are encouraged to strengthen their preparations for the next round of contests.

The five constituencies under discussion are considered politically important. Karur and Perundurai in particular have been strongholds with a history of close contests. The outcome of these bypolls is expected to influence the political narrative ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Political Significance

The announcement has become the most trending political news in Tamil Nadu today. Political analysts believe that these bypolls will be seen as a semi-final before the full state elections.

The DMK, which is currently in the opposition after a long period in government, is attempting to reorganize its grassroots machinery. The directive to hold constituency-level meetings and prepare ground-level reports indicates a focus on booth-level management and direct voter outreach.

The party is also expected to intensify its campaign through door-to-door outreach, public meetings, and digital platforms.

What Happens Next

The Election Commission has not yet announced official dates for the bypolls in Karur, Perundurai, Ambasamudram, Viralimalai, and Tiruchi East. However, Stalin's early preparation has given the party cadre a head start.

With TVK currently on a winning streak, all eyes will be on whether the DMK can regain its lost ground and convert its increased vote share into victories in the upcoming by-elections.