Chennai, October 2026 : Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) representatives Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama were sworn in as members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Monday after winning the Madurantakam and Dharapuram by-elections, respectively.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in the Speaker’s chamber at the Secretariat in Chennai in the presence of the Assembly Speaker. The two legislators formally completed the process following their victories, marking the beginning of their tenure as elected representatives.
Ministers N. Anand, Sengottaiyan, Aadhav Arjuna and K.G. Arunraj attended the ceremony.
The victories in both constituencies marked an important electoral milestone for TVK, which secured the two seats in its first by-election contest. The outcome provided the party with representation from Madurantakam and Dharapuram and brought its candidates into the state’s legislative process.
Maragatham Kumaravel secured 74,048 votes in Madurantakam. Sathyabama won the Dharapuram constituency. Both legislators will now represent their respective constituencies in the Assembly, where they can raise local concerns, participate in debates and contribute to legislative proceedings.
Polling in the two constituencies took place on October 6 following a campaign involving TVK, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Naam Tamilar Katchi and Left parties.
The by-elections attracted considerable political attention as an electoral test for TVK following its performance in the Assembly elections. The victories were closely watched amid efforts by the party to strengthen its political presence in Tamil Nadu.
TVK leader and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay campaigned extensively in both constituencies, making public appearances and conducting roadshows to mobilise support for the party’s candidates.
In Madurantakam, Vijay visited the constituency on September 25 and held a roadshow on October 1. He also visited the Melmaruvathur temple during the campaign.
For the Dharapuram contest, Vijay addressed voters on September 30 and returned for a roadshow on October 4, the final day of campaigning. A total of 22 candidates contested the Dharapuram by-election, making it a crowded electoral field.
Opposition parties also mounted intensive campaigns to challenge TVK. DMK leaders M.K. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigned for their party’s candidates, while AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami sought support for his party’s nominee.
The participation of multiple political parties turned the by-elections into a closely watched contest, with the results offering an indication of the political competition in the two constituencies.
With Monday’s oath-taking ceremony, attention has shifted from electioneering to the responsibilities of the newly elected MLAs. Their immediate role will involve representing constituents, raising issues affecting local communities and participating in discussions on legislation and governance.
For TVK, the induction of Maragatham Kumaravel and Sathyabama into the Assembly completes the formal process following the by-election victories and gives the party two additional elected representatives in the Tamil Nadu legislature.
