In a significant development for Tamil Nadu politics, four election petitions have been submitted to the Madras High Court, questioning the electoral win of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder, C Joseph Vijay, in the Perambur Assembly constituency. Among the petitioners is RD Shekar, a rival candidate from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), along with voters Indigo Irudayaraj, TN Lakshmi Narasimhan, and S Dinesh.
During the 2026 Assembly elections, Vijay contested from both Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East, emerging victorious in each. However, he chose to retain his seat in Perambur, resigning from the Tiruchirappalli East constituency. In Perambur, Vijay secured a decisive victory with a margin of 53,715 votes, garnering 1,20,365 votes against Shekar’s 66,650, according to the Election Commission of India.
The filing of these petitions brings Vijay’s electoral success under judicial scrutiny. Election petitions serve as a legal mechanism to challenge the results of an election, and they are adjudicated by the High Court. Importantly, unless the Court decides otherwise, the election outcome remains valid and the elected candidate continues in office.
Vijay’s triumph in Perambur was a focal point in the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, marking his successful entry into politics via TVK. Launched in February 2024, TVK made a substantial impact in its first electoral outing, establishing itself as a significant political entity in the state.
The election petitions surface amid broader political tensions in Tamil Nadu, following allegations of attempted poaching of TVK legislators. A TVK MLA, N Ilaiyaraja, recently claimed he was offered ₹35 crore to sway his vote against the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker. This claim prompted police investigations, leading to the initial arrest of three individuals, with five more subsequently detained.
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The controversy has fueled a political tussle between TVK and the opposition DMK, with both parties accusing each other of engaging in ‘horse trading’. While TVK accuses the DMK of attempting to destabilize the government, the DMK alleges that Vijay, along with MDMK leader Vaiko, is attempting to lure its MLAs.
In addition to these petitions, Vijay and TVK have faced multiple election-related proceedings at the Madras High Court since the Assembly elections. The Court has previously dismissed allegations concerning irregularities in election affidavits filed by Vijay and other TVK leaders, while also addressing claims related to Vijay’s Form 26 disclosures and purported campaign malpractice by the party.
