Chennai, September 26: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has submitted complaints to the Chief Electoral Officer and district election authorities alleging violations of election rules by members and supporters of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) during preparations for the forthcoming by-election.
Speaking to reporters after submitting the complaint, DMK communications secretary and Rajya Sabha member Constantine Ravindran alleged that the TVK had violated election-related guidelines in several instances. He also questioned statements made by TVK leader Vijay during an election campaign and alleged that they were contrary to a court order and the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Ravindran said the DMK had approached the Chief Electoral Officer to bring what it described as alleged misuse of authority and violations of electoral norms to the attention of the election authorities.
Court order and campaign statements
Referring to the case involving Gem Granites, Ravindran said DMK general secretary Duraimurugan had earlier initiated a defamation case against ministers Aadhav Arjuna and Nirmal Kumar over statements made in connection with the matter.
According to Ravindran, the court had observed that there was no basis to link the DMK, its former ministers or party functionaries with the case and had cautioned against associating the party with the allegations.
He alleged that Vijay subsequently referred to the matter during an election campaign despite the court’s observations. Ravindran also claimed that the Election Commission’s guidelines prohibit political parties and candidates from making unverified allegations against rival parties for electoral gain.
The DMK has therefore sought action from the Chief Electoral Officer, he said.
Alleged cash distribution in Madurantakam
Ravindran further alleged that money was being distributed to voters in the Madurantakam constituency.
He said the DMK had already submitted a complaint to the local election officer along with video footage which, according to the party, showed alleged distribution of cash to voters.
The allegations are now before the election authorities for examination.
Government vehicles allegedly used for campaigning
Another complaint concerns the alleged use of government vehicles for election campaign activities.
Ravindran said the DMK had recorded the alleged use of government vehicles and submitted the video evidence to the concerned election authority. He argued that government vehicles should not be used for election campaigning and sought action against the candidate concerned if a violation is established.
School students and election campaign
The DMK has also complained about the alleged involvement of school students in election campaign activities.
Ravindran said video footage had been submitted to the election authorities showing students carrying flags associated with the party during an alleged campaign activity.
Responding to a question from reporters, he drew a distinction between a political leader’s family members accompanying them during campaigning and school or college students being brought into political campaign activities.
He said students should not be compelled or taken from educational institutions for election campaigning and claimed that the issue was covered by the relevant directions and guidelines.
DMK seeks action from election authorities
Ravindran said the complaints had been submitted to both the Chief Electoral Officer and the district election authorities and urged them to take immediate action if the alleged violations were found to be established.
He said the DMK expected the election authorities to examine the complaints and ensure that the electoral process was conducted in accordance with the applicable rules.
Ravindran on Gem Veeramani case
During the interaction with reporters, Ravindran was also questioned about the case involving Gem Veeramani.
Referring to the sequence of events, he said a complaint had been filed on October 5, 2025, and referred to 26 FIRs registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Ravindran said investigations in such cases required identification of the victims and those accused before a charge sheet could be filed. He claimed that action was subsequently taken after the investigation progressed through November, December and January.
He further said that the government was in a caretaker phase during March, April and May and argued that the overall administrative control of the police during that period rested with the Governor.
Alleged attempts to close the case
Ravindran alleged that after the present government assumed office, attempts were made on four occasions to close the case involving Veeramani.
He referred to June 6, June 26, August 8 and August 26 as dates on which, according to him, efforts were made in connection with ending the proceedings.
Ravindran claimed that the government had taken a position that there had been no progress in the investigation and that the case against Veeramani should therefore be withdrawn.
He further alleged that the court subsequently directed that Veeramani be arrested and that the arrest took place two days after the court’s direction.
Ravindran claimed that the arrest followed the court’s intervention rather than being initiated independently by the government. He also referred to earlier public statements by ministers concerning their relationship with Veeramani and said those statements were available in video recordings.
He alleged that attempts had been made to protect Veeramani and that the issue was subsequently being used to make allegations against the DMK.
The claims made by Ravindran regarding the investigation, the alleged attempts to close the case and the election-related complaints are matters for the relevant courts and election authorities to examine. The final position on any alleged violation will depend on the findings and orders of the competent authorities.