In a significant setback to actor-turned-politician Vijay’s fledgling party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the party’s debut in electoral politics has stumbled in one of Tamil Nadu’s most high-profile
constituencies. TVK’s candidate for the Edappadi assembly seat, where AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) is seeking re-election, has been disqualified during the nomination scrutiny process.
TVK nominee M. Arun Kumar, who was expected to directly challenge EPS, saw his nomination papers rejected, along with those of his substitute candidate. The incident has not only dented the party’s image but also exposed organisational lapses at a crucial moment in its political launch.
Hundreds of TVK workers had gathered at the Edappadi taluk office for the scrutiny, only to be left disappointed when news of the rejection emerged.
Why Was The Candidate Rejected?
According to Returning Officer P. Natarajan, the nominations were rejected because they did not meet the mandatory requirement for candidates from unrecognised parties, who must have 10 proposers. Arun Kumar’s papers reportedly carried signatures of only 7 proposers, and the substitute candidate’s nomination suffered from the same deficiency.
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TVK Candidate Went AWOL
The drama intensified when, after marking his presence at the office, Arun Kumar allegedly switched off his phone and went missing, leading to confusion and anger among party cadres. TVK workers staged a protest, alleging that their candidate had been kidnapped. Police officials intervened, assuring them that efforts were underway to trace him, following which the situation gradually calmed down.
The controversy has also sparked speculation after reports surfaced about Arun Kumar’s close association with Salem R. Ilangovan, a trusted aide of Edappadi Palaniswami. This has fuelled suspicion among sections of TVK supporters, though no official confirmation has emerged regarding these claims.
The Edappadi constituency is considered a stronghold of EPS, who has won the seat three times in a row since 2011. Both the ruling DMK and Vijay’s TVK had attempted to challenge him by fielding new faces. DMK candidate C. Kashi also faced a brief hurdle when his nomination was initially withheld due to a signature error, but it was later accepted after rectification.
